Roofs and horizons is a Creative Commons licensed image by maistora.
Blogging on a daily basis requires a constant research for new topics to cover.
In order to search for new material you need to know what to search for in the first place.
Thus you need blogging inspiration as a prerequisite for creating blog content. I want to introduce to you 7 simple blogging inspiration techniques I use daily.
- Analyze your referers with Search Analytics. I use 103bees which even lists questions separately searchers put into Google to find your site. 103bees requires a one time fee but other free services are OK too.
- Check Twitter trends. You can do it quickly using a social news interface like Twitturly.com
- Just browse your favorite blogs. I start my day with browsing all kinds of blogs which are often just slightly relevant to what I blog about. Nonetheless I often get inspired or can spot a new trend. Whenever I look specifically I use Netvibes where I have a special tab for blogs about a single topic, green blogs, art blogs, SEO blogs.
- Venture outside the Web. Go for a walk, take a shower or read a magazine. The Web bombards you with information and makes you think very quickly. You can not focus long enough on any one single thought to get inspired. Paradoxically you need to go off line to blog better. Often on the way you’ll find the necessary ideas too.
- Interact with someone, even virtually. You need some idle chatter like you need something to eat and drink. Even the least important news can be inspiring, so the occasional tweet about eating habits is not just a waste of time.
- Check your old posts. Look up what you have written a week, a month or a year ago. Then follow up, update or change your mind. That’s often enough inspiration for a week.
- Do something random. Do something completely out of place each day. Type with your left hand instead of your right, eat a Pizza instead of a sandwich. Do some work out on the roof (but not if you work out there daily). Your brain has to adapt to the new situation and will create new synaptic connections. These connections will also allow a new flow of information inside your head.
What kind of simple inspirational technique do you use each day for blogging inspiration or just for fun? Tell me. I sometmes ask questions to get inspired too! ;-)
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- 7 Business & Blogging Clues a Puppy Can Teach You
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This thing has 18 Comments
I just stumbled about this post, and it gave me some nice ideas “how to get ideas” :-) Some things seem to be self-evident (communicate with someone – is ordering a pizza enough ;-)?) but I really like the last technique! Something randomevery day to build up synaptic connections… I’ll try it!
But to be on the safe side I won’t climb the roof, won’t help my page if I brake my back ;-)
Thanks for turning me on to Netvibes! So much to talk about out there…
I try to take a quiet half an hour each day to be alone with my thoughts. Be warned though, that can be pretty troubling if you are not in a good place to start with.
Mat, that’s a great thing to do. Switch off the noise for half an hour & enjoy the simplicity of just being. But you are right, if you just start (with meditation) it is much harder than you think & needs strong commitment. But Nothing doesn’t come from nothing ; )
Tad, thanks for recommending 103bees, I didn’t had that on my list
I just love those tips and most of them would really apply I love the browsing your favorite sites and the last one was just brilliant, going to take that advice maybe not typing with left hand as my typing as already so bad but changing a sandwich with a pizza is a huge thumbs up.
Thanks again for a great read.
I just found your post and it provided productive and practical advice. I have several blogs and find it is always a struggle to find something new and fresh to write about. I used your favorite blog browsing suggestion and found several new trends to write about. Thanks and I will pass your post on to my fellow journalists!
I usually just ‘stroll’ around the web do find ideas. It’s literally everywehere!
The most creative tip is the #7 Do something random. Do something completely out of place each day. Type with your left hand instead of your right, eat a Pizza instead of a sandwich.
I really liked it, because we keep working with our right hand and the left one remains idle so this is a good method to keep both the hands working.
Usually I search topics related to my site on the net and do some rephrasing or answer some questions that are found on yahoo answers those are also working out.
I just like the idea of getting away from yourself for a while each day to build up the creative flow again. Makes perfect sense just wish it was as easy to do as you make it sound!!!
I try to take a quiet half an hour each day to be alone with my thoughts. Be warned though, that can be pretty troubling if you are not in a good place to start with.
I try for a few day, but nor effect.
There are few ways that I often do to be inspired and to be able write a good blog content. Below are my simple ways:
*I often do a blog hopping and read articles that interest me most.
*Staring up the sky gives me ideas
*Reading manga or watching anime movies really helps me to be inspired
*And most of all I usually listen to my favorite songs.
Thanks for the valuable information. I was not aware of 103bees. I have to give a try.
Nice blog..
Great Aticle.
When I start learning to write blogs and articles i thought it was an easy tasks but i was wrong. Though we do research on blog topics theres always a pressure to put on some fresh ones so we’re not just copying anybody’s posts. Now Im still learning and i hope i can make/post a nice one someday or something that will provide a useful information for everyone not just craps.
yeah .. it’s really hard to find certain topics to write most especially if we want to find interesting ones :(
I have never thought of Checking my old posts for blogging ideas. Thanks for sharing.