Out of Blog Post Ideas? Try Customer Service
Writer’s block happens to business bloggers too, but there are several ways to keep the content flowing. Here are 10 ways to generate new ideas.
Diane S. Thieke
by Diane S. Thieke
Writer’s block isn’t unique to novelists. It happens to business bloggers as well, and it can be tough work to keep a blog fresh with content several times a week. If you’re having trouble finding topics to cover, take heart. There are ways to keep the content flowing.
Here are 10 ways to generate new content ideas for your blog:
- Visit your customer service team. This is one of the best sources of blog material, because it’s coming straight from your customers. When clients tell you that they’d like to know more about certain topics, you’re certain to have readers. Take advantage of your Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list.
- Check in with your sales people. Like customer service, sales is on the frontline every day, fielding questions from potential customers. Debriefing sales calls is an excellent way to identify trends and new challenges, yielding compelling topics that can be addressed in a blog post.
Review competitors’ blogs. Do you have the same viewpoint as your competitors? A new way to meet some of the same old challenges? Feel free to riff off one of their posts.- Keep up on the latest news and trends. You’re probably already reading your industry’s trade magazines as well as the major business publications. What technologies, policies, or regulations will impact your clients in the future? What pending developments could launch a new era in your industry? An easy way to stay on top of new developments is to use Google Alerts.
- Join trade groups and professional organizations. They’re certainly discussing changes that are impacting the industry and ways that professionals can manage that change effectively.
- Check conference agendas. Many conference organizations survey their attendees from year to year about the issues that are top of mind. The findings are reflected in upcoming conference plans, making agendas a rich source of potential blog posts.
- Interview a customer or an employee. Don’t feel compelled to do all the work. Find several willing customers and employees to interviews. This can be done simply using a smartphone’s video capabilities. On-the-fly interviews can be conducted at trade shows, conferences, or in the office over coffee.
- Do a weekly roundup. Many bloggers wrap up their week with a post summarizing what they’ve published on their blog, shared in social media, or read around the Web.
- Invite a guest blogger. Many bloggers are looking to expand their audience, so they’re more than happy to contribute a post or two. Some may even agree to contribute to your blog on a regular basis.
- Write a book review. As an expert in your field, you’re certainly reading the latest books. Turn that time into a blog. Jot notes and thoughts as you read, and your post will come together naturally. And don’t be afraid to say what you really think!
Review competitors’ blogs. Do you have the same viewpoint as your competitors? A new way to meet some of the same old challenges? Feel free to riff off one of their posts.Diane S. Thieke is the president and founder of Simply Talk Media, a digital media marketing consultancy. With more than 25 years in digital media and technology, she helps clients build stronger relationships with their customers and communities, using both social and traditional channels. Follow her on Twitter at @thiekeds or visit her blog at www.simplytalkmedia.com/blog.
Blogger photo from Shutterstock.
About the Author
Diane S. Thieke is the president and founder of Simply Talk Media, a digital media marketing consultancy. With more than 25 years in digital media and technology, she helps clients build stronger relationships with their customers and communities, using both social and traditional channels.