Let’s be honest here: writing can be hard. Come on, if it weren’t you wouldn’t be reading this post, right?
It’s not always the easiest thing to come up with an idea that will magically turn into a compelling post, especially when you are on a tight deadline or if you just really need to ramp up your blog with some fresh content!
Don’t beat yourself up over it; it happens to the best of us! Here are 5 tried and true ways to help you muster up some inspiration and write that awesome post that you’ve been needing!
1. Look Up Trending Topics
Social media can be a distraction at times, but there are those moments when it can become your biggest muse!
As you know, social media is constantly moving with all kinds of topics. Check out what’s trending, read articles and posts that your friends have liked and shared, read information and news that people have posted in those random Facebook groups you’re a member of – you’re sure to find something that will pique your interest and be relevant to your audience in no time!
2. Listen to Your Audience
Another great way to find out what you should write about is to listen to the people who follow you! Do they have questions or concerns? What have they been talking about lately? Think about things that customers ask you on the daily – those are the perfect writing prompts! Not only will your post on this topic answer your audience’s question, but it will also show them that you are in tune with them and care about their needs!
3. When In Doubt, Recycle!
Yes, you did read that right: when you are in a bind and just can’t come up with anything to write about, look at some of your previous posts! Read through them a bit and pay attention to the point of view you used; you may find that you can write one of those old posts from a different or more informed perspective! Perhaps you wrote a blog post about how great Twitter is – write a post how some of the things you don’t like! Or maybe you wrote a post about a recipe you tried – write a new post discussing changes you made or could have made to the recipe. The options are endless!
4. Talk to People
This may seem similar to post inspiration tip #2, but it’s actually quite different. While the previous tip was purely online, this tip will force you to be social in real life! Step away from your computer, phone, tablet, and any other distracting device and just have a genuine, face-to-face conversation. You can ask the other person the same question you would ask your audience online, but it’s something unique about in-person conversations that really make you think and see things in a new way. Pay attention to body language, facial expressions, and genuine responses (remember, once a person says something, they can’t go back and edit them). Sometimes it’s the little things that inspire us the most.
5. Walk Away
Sometimes, you just may have to come to the realization that you reason you can’t find inspiration for a post is because you’re too flustered. Take a break! Go read a book, take a nap, exercise…whatever helps you relax! Then after about an hour (or three), return to your desk and try again! You never know what you can solve after looking at a problem with fresh eyes! And hey, you may find a topic while you’re relaxing (you may decide to write a post about how to chill out!).
As much as you may not believe it, inspiration can be found everywhere, we just have to take the time to embrace it! Try out some of these tips the next time you find yourself coming down with a case of writer’s block! Have any additional tips to share? Tell us about them in the comments!
Starting to think that you aren’t a good writer? Or maybe you want to write, but just don’t have the time? J.D. Scribes offers writing coaching and freelance writing/blogging services for people just like you! Want to know how we can help? Check out our services page or go ahead and request a quote from us!
