We’ve all heard the spiel before… Publishing content on a blog has a ton of benefits. It can give details about your product or service, draw new customers to your website, establish you as an authority in your space, etc.
But if your blog hasn’t been updated in months, or all of your posts are thinly disguised sales pitches, or you’ve been writing the same kinds of post… you might not be achieving the results you desire.
I’ve been consistently publishing content on this blog for the past handful of months thanks to a content team I recently hired. Writing is something I’ve always enjoyed, but after a while, I’ve caught a little case of writer’s block.
If you’re on my email list (and if you’re not, you totally should be…), you would have seen all of the content I’ve been sharing the past few months.
In terms of topics, I’ve done quite a few case studies which I like to call “Author Success Stories.”
I also like to do training type posts or “how to’s” about everything from how to have a successful podcast interview to how to create a free plus shipping funnel for a book.
This morning I sat down to write this blog post and looked at my list of content ideas. As I was scrolling through, I realized that none of the topics excited me.
I wasn’t in the mood to write about a book marketing method, or how to have the best TV interview, or how to grow an email list. I wanted something new and fresh to talk about.
So I looked through the content we’ve already published at Bestseller Publishing and started racking my brain for new ideas. I also decided to do some reading to see if inspiration might strike elsewhere.
Side note – do you guys use Medium? I remember hearing about the platform years ago but it wasn’t until earlier this year that I started reading it more regularly and now I’m hooked.
After some reading, I realized writing a blog post doesn’t need to be so complicated. Not every post needs to be informational or educational.
It’s equally valuable for your audience to read content about a current trend in your industry or even a day in your life.
I’ve done some research and put together a list of blog posts to help you get writing. (And for myself to reference…)
1.How you started your career
Because of the nature of the internet, it’s easy for people to feel disconnected with one another. Genuinely honest content stands out in a world of highlights. Sharing how you got started in your career or how you got to where you are today is a great way to introduce yourself to new followers, and let those who have been with you for a while get to know you better. Your story could very well inspire someone and point them in the right direction.
2. Something that failed:
There is no way a successful business owner got to where they are without something failing along the way. Failure is an inevitable part of the human experience. Reading someone’s story about a time they failed can be incredibly inspiring.
3. Interview a team member:
Does one of your employees do something really interesting or unique for your business? Are any of your employees working on an interesting project? Does your social media manager, for example, have some helpful tips to share for other social media managers?
4. Write about a new hire:
Hiring someone can lead to a really great interview. Why did they want to join your company? What do they plan to bring to the table? Or, instead of an interview, you can discuss a new position you’re looking to hire and why you need to add this position to your business. Another idea: write about the first time you hired someone in your business.
5. List of FAQ’s
Are you always asked the same handful of questions? Then you should write them down and answer them. If not, think about some of the more frequently asked questions in your industry. What might one of your ideal clients like to know? What are they googling that would lead them to find your business?
6. What are you not going to do this month or year?
People often share bucket list posts where they go over all of the things they hope to accomplish/achieve, but what if you did the opposite? Do you have any bad habits? What’s getting in the way of your success? Your audience may have the same frustrations as you.
7. What inspires you?
This is a pretty easy one. It’s such an open topic and if something really does inspire you it should be fun to write about. Tell your audience about your favorite book, speaker, industry leader, etc. and why they inspire you.
8. Best advice you’ve ever received
What piece of advice has stuck with you for a long time? Who gave it to you? Where did you first hear it and how has it impacted your life?
9. Glimpse into your life
People are nosy. We love hearing about each other’s lives. Sharing what your typical day or week looks like is an interesting insight into your life for your audience. What does your workweek look like? Do you wake up early? Do you workout? Be sure to share a few photos.
10. What do you want to improve upon?
New Years isn’t the only time we can set personal goals. Self-improvement is a year-round endeavor. What are some things you’d like to get better at or change?
11. Recommendations
Read a great book recently? Listened to an insightful podcast interview? Started using a new app? Watched a great Ted Talk? Share it with your audience!
12. Work-Life Balance
People talk about this all the time. It can feel difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance, so how do you do it? What’s your ideal day off? How do you recharge so you can bring your best self to work?
13. Profile
Biographies are probably one of my favorite genre of books to read. Who’s your role model? Who do you admire in your industry? Why do you like them and did they teach you?
14. Review
The internet has changed the way many of us shop. Reviews for products and services have become more powerful than ever because they help the customer establish a sense of trust with a company or product they know little about. Writing a review is a great way to share products or services you really like with other people and it’s an easy way to tell companies you like their products.
15. Blog series
I just started a mini blog post series here at Bestseller Publishing. Over three posts I’m going to introduce the three main ideas of my book: publish, promote, and profit. What topic can you break down into a few posts?
That should be a good starting point for you to fill up that editorial calendar. Remember, the key to a successful blog is variety so whatever you choose to write about, make sure you mix it up.
