I was just looking at the WordPress dashboard for my blog and noticed that I have written 587 blog posts (this is the 588th blog post to be exact) and 31 pages of content (well, that’s 31 articles that I have posted here on my blog). I have to admit that those numbers are pretty awe-inspiring to me. I mean, really–how in the world have I come up with 587 blog posts and more than 100+ pages of content? Well, in this blog post I am going to tell you EXACTLY how I did it. Here is how you can find content for your blog.
Do your research to find content for your blog
Before I start ranting and raving about how I personally come up with content for my blogs, including this blog right here, let me add my .02 cents about bad blog content (blog spam). There has been a lot of press and media attention lately about Google’s crack-down on content farms. I am not going to get into the search engine optimization details and other info about the Google algorithm, I will save that for another post. But I am going to say that if you are a blogger or someone who has a blog, you probably already know whether or not your content is considered a content farm. Take a long hard look at the source of your content and your ideas for blog posts. Blogging is not about scraping, spinning, rewriting, or even repurposing content. It’s about writing original content that someone else other than yourself will want to read.
That’s where the source of your content comes into play here. Let’s dig a bit deeper into possible sources of blog content, and look at the places where you might find content for your blog. There are a lot of places where you can find good content. You just have to spend a few minutes looking around the web.
First, you have to really start with a few keywords related to your blog. Let’s use this blog as an example. I actually have three major “themes” of my blog, or “interests”, you could call them “topics”. Here are a few keywords that I personally use when I’m searching for content for my blog posts:
- search engine
- social media
- social networking
- social network
- domain names
- marketing
When I mention “search engine”, that could mean a few different things: as in “search engine optimization”, “search engine marketing”, and even “search engines” like Google, Bing.com, etc.. If there is a news item, article, or something related to “search engine” that’s fairly new, then I probably will be interested in it. Social media, social networking, and simply “social network” could fall into one category, and I might also use related keywords such as “Twitter, Facebook, etc.) on my list. I invest in domain names, and am interested in domain name issues, so I actually like to see what’s going on in the domain world. Marketing is also something else on my list, as well.
So, as you can see, once I have a keyword list or even one keyword that I want to write something about, I start doing some quick research. Here is a list of some of the places you could go searching using your keyword. I personally like to put myself in “investigative reporter” mode, or get in a journalistic mode when I am searching for possible blog post content.
- Google News
- Google Trends
- Press Release Web Sites (prnewswire.com, prweb.com, marketwire.com, businesswire.com)
- Twitter (Twitter search for your keyword, pay attention to “Top Tweets”)
- Digg.com, Reddit.com
- Message Boards (people still use them, and they’re typically on topic)
- Buzzsumo.com
Once you have a keyword in mind, start searching Google News. Find articles or press releases that have been recently posted on your subject. Once you find something, remember that even though someone has already written about it, you could do some more investigation and write “on a different angle” or take a different viewpoint. And you could even link out to that previous article as a source.
Press releases are getting pretty over-done now, so you really have to watch out. There are a lot of “press releases” being written that are junk, and only written for their SEO value. If you want better press release content or ideas, pay more attention to PR Newswire or Business Wire, or even MarketWire since it costs more and they still exercise some editorial control over it. Keep in mind also that if you’re going to use a press release as content for your blog post, make sure you take the time to write something that has value (just don’t regurgitate the press release unless it’s really useful information). And remember that it’s news…so you may want to jump on it quickly before 300 other sites post it.
Twitter can be helpful, but you may want to use it more for blog ideas. I like to use a combination of Twitter and Tweetmeme.com to find what people are talking about on a subject. Again, it’s more for finding blog post ideas and what people are talking about. For example, in today’s top tweets, people are talking about Jackie Chan and the rumors going around about him. You could try to investigate the original source of the rumors, which might make for an interesting blog post if you have an entertainment-type blog. Or even take another angle–write about how rumors get started on Twitter.
Message boards can be a great source of blog post content, especially if you have a blog in a certain niche. People tend to “hang out” on certain message boards, and they’ll post about something new if there is something to talk about. If you’re in a niche, then take a look at the message boards and read the “newest posts” frequently. I’m sure you will find something.
Don’t forget about Google blog search. Search for your keyword and feel free to write something that is related to what others are writing about. I often like to link out to other blog posts and give others credit where it’s due. There’s always something that someone else forgot to mention, so mention it.
There are other ways to come up with content for your blog, especially when you cannot find anything on your subject that’s recent news. You can always:
- write a review of a product or service
- write about a company in your industry
- write about a tool (online tool, software tool, or a physical tool). Lots of industries use tools.
- write about your competitor
- make a top 10 list
- write about the 10 best… in your industry
- write about the 10 worst… in your industry
Another way to come up with blog content is to get on a regular schedule. I personally like to FORCE myself (yes, sometimes it is difficult) to write something EVERY single day on my blog. There are some days when I cannot possibly come up with something, and I end up writing a blog post just like this one. Well, yes, there isn’t much news to write about so I thought I would write a blog post about finding content for your blog. Go figure. But I digress.
You can get yourself on a schedule and have one blog post that you can write every week, every month, or even every day. I know of one blog who posts the daily mortgage rates. Then there’s a company who posts the bank rates on a weekly basis in a press release. You could come up with a top 10 or top 100 list in your industry and post it on a regular basis. If you end up coming up with a “top 100 companies” in your industry, then you bet that all of those 100 companies will end up being readers of your blog every month, as they will want to find out exactly where they stand on the list.
I have to admit, even someone like myself who writes a lot and comes up with sometimes the most bizarre content in my industry, that I have trouble finding content for my blog. But honestly, it’s not necessarily all about finding wonderful content. You can’t always write some incredible blog post that ends up going viral and bringing in a lot of visitors overnight. It’s getting harder and harder to find content. But it’s out there. There is always going to be something that you can write about, even if it is trivial. What really counts, though, is being consistent.
Discover the Path to Engaging Blog Content
Determining your blog audience’s demographic profile, including age, gender, and location, lays the foundation for content that resonates. Peeling back layers to reveal the unique psychographics reveals deeper influences on their preferences—what prompts a click, a read, a share? Parsing specific age groups, lifestyle choices, and cultural backgrounds offers a palette for crafting engaging content narratives. Delve into the intricacies of audience dynamics to understand when a listicle might captivate more than an in-depth analysis or vice versa.
Encountering glaring gaps in content offerings signals the need for blogs to address the pressing questions and conundrums that lead to furrowed brows. Unanswered queries represent a goldmine for bloggers keen on providing solutions—thereby becoming an authority in their domain. Assess these common issues methodically and tailor your content to serve as the much-needed balm for these pain points.
Audience members set foot in the world of your blog for a cornucopia of reasons. Identifying whether they seek entertainment, up-to-date information, or solutions to specific problems can illuminate the path to content that not only attracts but retains visitors. Mapping out this visitor intent and observing behavioral patterns offers actionable insights for your content strategy, allowing you to better align your posts with the outcomes your audience desires.
Demystifying Keyword Research: A Pathway to Audience Engagement
Discovering the optimal keywords for blog content aligns closely with audience attraction and retention. When keywords resonate with reader queries and interests, they serve as beacons guiding visitors through the vastness of the internet directly to your blog. This synergy between content and search intent not only enhances visibility but also fosters a connection with the targeted audience, leading to a higher likelihood of engagement and return visits.
Tools of the Trade for Extracting Potent Keywords
Effective keyword research leverages a suite of robust tools, at the forefront stands Google’s Keyword Planner, offering insights into search volume and competition levels for prospective keywords. Complementing Google’s powerhouse, SEO tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz provide a broader landscape of keyword opportunities and competitor keyword strategies. Utilizing these resources enables the extraction of search terms tailor-made for the blog audience and subject matter at hand.
The Art of Weaving Keywords into Blog Narratives
Integrating keywords into blog content extends beyond mere injection; it demands a strategic approach to ensure natural readability and engagement. Placement of keywords within headlines, subheadings, and the opening paragraphs magnifies their impact, yet peppered throughout the body keeps the narrative SEO-friendly. This intricate dance between keyword placement and content quality ensures that while search engines are appeased, readers remain the central focus of every crafted word.
- Start with a question: Have you considered the search terms your blog audience uses?
- Reflect on reader behavior: Think about the information your readers are seeking.
- Mix up your research methods: Combine tools and intuition to uncover keywords that speak to your audience’s needs.
Master the Art of Content Curation for Your Blog
Content curation maintains a fresh dynamic on your blog by leveraging existing content. Recognizing the wealth of available content and harnessing it effectively breathes new life into your platform and provides your audience with a diverse range of insights and information.
Leveraging Existing Content to Engage Your Audience
Curated content, when chosen and presented correctly, resonates with your audience, enforcing your blog’s relevance. For instance, sharing a well-researched article on a trending topic enhances your blog’s value, simultaneously keeping your readers hooked and informed.
Techniques for Finding and Selecting High-Quality Curated Content
- Employ tools such as content aggregators and RSS feeds to streamline the discovery of new and pertinent material.
- Utilize social listening platforms to monitor what topics are top-of-mind in your industry and curate content that touches on those areas.
- Filter and choose only content that aligns with your blog’s ethos and provides unique viewpoints or valuable information to your readers.
Demonstrating Ethical Curation Practices
Ethical curation not only protects your reputation but also honors the original creators of the content. Ensure to obtain permission when necessary, cite sources accurately, and transform the original piece by adding your unique perspective or analysis to it.
Citing Sources and Adding Value Through Commentary
Add your voice to curated content to make it resonate. By critiquing, annotating, or expanding upon the original work, you contribute to the conversation and establish thought leadership, all while directing appropriate credit to primary sources.
Tapping into Industry News and Trends for Blog Content
Staying updated with the latest in blogging and content creation fuels the creation of current and compelling content. Acknowledging the dynamic nature of industry trends equips bloggers with insights that resonate with their readers while maintaining a competitive edge. For example, a surge in discussions about artificial intelligence in content creation can present an opportunity for a blog series on the topic, providing value to readers seeking to understand this emerging field.
Industry news serves as a fertile ground for blog articles that are timely and relevant. When major updates or breakthroughs occur, a blog post that elaborates on these events and their implications can attract an audience looking for clarity and further information. The announcement of a new social media algorithm change, for instance, could be leveraged into an analysis of how this will affect digital marketing strategies.
Using Google Trends for Fresh Blog Ideas
Google Trends offers a window into the topics that are capturing the public’s attention at any given time. By using this tool, bloggers can identify rising trends and develop blog content that aligns with these interests. This approach can drive increased site traffic as it aligns with the search queries of a larger audience. An upward trend in searches for sustainable living practices, for example, can prompt the creation of a blog series focused on eco-friendly lifestyle tips.
- With each Google Trends insight, bloggers can pinpoint which subjects will likely engage readers and potentially lead to higher traffic and increased engagement.
- Integrating these topics into blog posts must always align with the overall theme and purpose of the blog to ensure cohesiveness and relevance.
By weaving industry news and trends into blog content, bloggers create a platform that is not only informative but also reflects the current state of their industry. As trends evolve and new information comes to light, these practices will keep content fresh and audiences engaged.
Competitor Analysis: Uncovering Opportunities for Unique Content
Delving into competitors’ content offers insights into areas they might overlook, thereby revealing gaps one can exploit. Analyzing the themes and formats prevalent on competitor blogs affords a comprehensive view of the current topics engaging your shared audience. For instance, if competitors focus on long-form articles, integrating infographics or videos could distinguish your blog.
Comparing your blog’s content to industry benchmarks helps ensure relevance and can raise the quality of published material. This benchmarking involves evaluating various elements such as post length, multimedia usage, and reader engagement metrics. By such measures, one positions their content to meet, if not exceed, industry standards.
Studying the marketing strategies of competitors sheds light on their tactics, from SEO optimization to social media promotion. Observing these strategies can guide refinements in one’s unique content marketing efforts. Paying attention to methods driving substantial engagement and conversions can inform the evolution of a more effective content marketing strategy.
- Competitor content analysis pinpoints themes they frequently cover — indicating potential high-interest areas.
- Diverse content formats used by others provide a template for creating a unique twist or offering something new.
- Recognizing the strengths in competitors’ content strategies signals which practices could enhance your own content approach.
Content Planning and Strategy
Devising an effective blog content strategy requires forethought, organization, and a clear understanding of both your goals and your audience. Developing a content calendar is a proactive approach to ensuring your blog remains relevant and consistent. A content calendar not just sequences your posting schedule but also serves as a structured outline for your content creation process.
Structuring Your Content Calendar
A well-structured content calendar streamlines the task of managing blog topics, article outlines, and the corresponding publication dates. Utilizing tools like Google Calendar or specialized software simplifies the visualization of your content distribution across the week, month, or year. Bearing in mind seasonal topics, current events, and product launches will afford your content a timely relevance that appeals to your reader’s interests and search trends.
Defining Content Goals and Metrics for Success
Without goals, content creation can become directionless. Specific objectives, whether they relate to increasing traffic, generating leads, or boosting engagement, give purpose to each piece of content. Concurrent with setting objectives is the establishment of metrics for success. Metrics might include page views, social shares, or conversion rates, which provide tangible evidence of content performance. Content should always be crafted with marketing and SEO objectives at the forefront to amplify its reach and effectiveness.
Cross-Platform Content Integration
Coordinating blog content with other channels, such as social media or email campaigns, fortifies your overall marketing strategy. Blog posts can fuel your social media content, extending the reach and life of each piece through different platforms. Conversely, social media can direct traffic back to your blog, creating a symbiotic relationship that benefits all facets of your content strategy. Integration leads to consistent messaging, which not only strengthens brand presence but also establishes familiarity and trust with your audience.
Leveraging Social Media
Unlock the potential of social media to magnify the reach of your blog content. Utilizing the right platforms connects your blog with a vast array of audiences while tailoring posts to what resonates on each social channel maximizes exposure.
Tips for Promoting Blog Content on Social Media Channels
- Identify the platforms where your target audience is most active and focus your efforts there.
- Share your blog posts with visuals—images or short videos—to increase engagement.
- Employ hashtags judiciously to make content more discoverable to those interested in your blog’s topics.
- Craft captivating headlines and teasers for your social posts that compel people to click through to your blog.
By aligning your content with platform-specific trends and features, you cultivate broader interest and interaction.
Utilizing Social Media Algorithms for Enhanced Content Visibility
Each social media platform uses algorithms that can either bury or boost your content in users’ feeds. Engage with your audience soon after posting, as timely interaction can signal algorithms to promote your content. Regular posting, pertinent hashtags, and content relevant to your audience’s preferences work in concert to maintain visibility on social platforms.
Techniques for Engaging with the Audience and Encouraging Sharing
- Ask direct questions in your posts to spark conversations.
- Encourage readers to share their insights in the comments section to create a community around your blog.
- Invite sharing by offering incentives like newsletters, eBooks, or entry into a contest.
Audience interaction amplifies the likelihood of your content being recommended by social platforms to new potential readers.
Harnessing the Power of Social Listening to Source Content Ideas
Social listening, the practice of monitoring social conversations around certain topics, provides insights into what content your audience craves. Keep tabs on discussions related to your niche to uncover themes that engage your readers. Analyze the response to your own and competitors’ social media posts to detect patterns and preferences guiding your next content piece.
By weaving the richness of social media into your blog’s content strategy, you actively drive traffic to your blog while using the platform’s dynamics to your benefit.
Revitalize Your Blog Content: A Guide to Repurposing and Updating
Discover new life in your blog’s archives; give older posts a fresh appearance and relevance. By transforming blog articles into diverse formats such as infographics, videos, or podcasts, you not only extend the reach of your content but also cater to different audience preferences. Multimedia elements tend to engage the senses more deeply, enhancing the user experience and potentially increasing time spent on your site.
Refresh and Optimize: The Power of Content Updates
Revitalizing outdated blog posts can lead to increased traffic and improved search engine rankings. Introduce recent information, statistics, and SEO-rich keywords to ensure your content stays both accurate and competitive. Regular updates signal to search engines that your website is a current source of information, which can boost your position in search results.
Best Practices for Evergreen Content
Evergreen content remains relevant long after its original publication. Assess and refine these articles regularly to keep them searchable and useful to your audience. By analyzing performance metrics such as bounce rates and time on page, you can identify the content that resonates strongest with readers and deserves prioritization for updates.
- Examine which pieces have historically performed well and determine how they might be expanded or given a new angle.
- Consider the addition of rich media or interactive elements to existing high-value posts to augment engagement.
- Maintain a consistent schedule for reviewing and updating content to ensure all your posts remain up-to-date and SEO-optimized.
Fostering a Cohesive Brand Voice
Maintain a consistent brand voice across all repurposed content to reinforce brand recognition and loyalty. Whether you’re presenting a tutorial video or a detailed infographic, a cohesive voice helps in developing a trusted connection with your audience.
Enhancing User Experience
A seamless user experience facilitates deeper engagement with your blog’s content. Regular site audits and updates are crucial for maintaining a blog that’s fast-loading, mobile-responsive, and easy to navigate. Prioritizing these technical aspects serves to support the consumption of your content, ensuring that visitors stay longer and engage more fully.
Keeping Up With Google
Leverage tools like Google Analytics to glean insights into how users interact with your content. Adjust and repurpose your strategies in accordance with Google’s ever-evolving algorithm to improve the visibility and reach of your blog posts.
Personalizing for Your Audience
Create content tailored to your audience by developing detailed personas. Review audience feedback and engagement regularly to refine your strategy, ensuring your blog remains a relevant and valued resource for your readers.
Sharpening SEO Practices
Combine content repurposing with a sharp SEO approach. Update not just the content but also meta descriptions, headers, and image alt-text to align with the latest in search engine optimization practices. This alignment will render your content more discoverable to those in search of it.
Integrating Content into Marketing
Your blog is a central piece of your overall content marketing efforts. Continually measure its impact on your marketing funnel and how it influences conversions. Analytics can help you understand content performance and guide your decisions on which posts to repurpose or update.
Adapting to Keyword Shifts
Keywords are your compass for visibility in search engines. Regularly reassess and evolve your keyword strategy to stay ahead of changes in search trends, integrating long-tail keywords to attract niche audience segments that are more likely to convert.
Employing Topic Clusters
Elevate your authority and SEO by utilizing topic clusters around your main subjects. This structured approach helps organize your content and makes it easier for search engines and users to navigate to relevant, related articles.
Craft content that grips your readers from the first line. The impact of a well-crafted headline and introduction cannot be overstated, as it’s your initial engagement with the reader. Each article should also leave them with actionable insights and clear takeaway points, encouraging them to implement what they’ve learned.