10 Ways to Get Fresh Blog Post Ideas

Coming up with unique ideas for blog posts is a tricky task, but it’s more important than ever. According to HubSpot, companies that blog receive 97% more links to their website and marketers who blog regularly are 13 times more likely to see positive ROI.  Tweet this!

In today’s nonstop world of content creation, you have to stay on the blogging ball. If you’re feeling left in the dust or simply stuck when you sit down to blog, it’s time to look for inspiration in creative places. Read on for tips on how to conjure up some ideas that’ll make your blog shine and bring in new traffic.

1. Check Trending Topics

Twitter is a great resource for figuring out which topics are hot and might get you those coveted clicks. Check daily trending topics and hashtags to look for inspiration for a quick post, or browse upcoming Twitter chats for your industry. If you can whip up an engaging post before the Twitter chat, you’ll have an audience ready and waiting when it starts.

2. Use HubSpot’s Blog Topic Generator

HubSpot’s Blog Topic Generator is quick and handy. Just input a few nouns related to topics you cover on your blog, and hit the button. In a matter of moments it’ll generate several topics for you to pick through. If you don’t see a topic that suits your blog right away, try it a few times with different word combinations until you find something that sparks your creative flame.

3. Interview a Fellow Employee

Whether you host a Q&A or grab some insider quotes, interviewing a fellow employee is a great way to generate a blog post that humanizes your brand. Ask compelling questions your audience will want to know about your company, and if possible, include photos and videos. It’s also an opportunity to give a quick video tour of your office and add some personality to the post.

4. Browse Comments

Readers and fans can be the best sources of inspiration for your content. While it’s important that you always have an ear on your audience, digging deep into comments on your posts and social media updates gives some insight into exactly what your readers want to see on your blog. You just might find a muse in a positive comment, or discover a question that you can answer in a blog post.

5. Use Portent’s Idea Generator

The Idea Generator from Portent is similar to HubSpot’s own generator, but it has some flair of it’s own. Simply enter a subject relevant to your industry and the generator will craft effective titles to give you ideas for fresh content. A quick click of the refresh button supplies another title to consider, which means you can generate one idea after another until something grabs your eye.

6. Find Relevant Forums

Online forums are teeming with useful information and varying perspectives. Do a simple search for topics relevant to your blog, and then browse recent forum posts to see what people are saying about that those topics. Study questions and issues people are posting about to see if you have a solution you can offer. If so, craft a helpful blog post using the right keywords to drive traffic to your site, while answering those questions for curious readers.

7. Evaluate the Previous Year

Did your brand make any mistakes or see any major victories last year? Consider the successes and failures of your company and then create a blog post explaining what worked or what didn’t work. Not only will it help you hammer out your content strategy for this year, but also your readers and potential customers will appreciate the transparency.

8. Peruse Pinterest

Pinterest has an impressive 100 million active users who post photos on a wide range of topics. Whether you’re in the realm of content marketing or you have a new cooking blog, Pinterest is a perpetual well of inspiration. Look at some of the most popular boards for your industry and see if any photos or infographics stir up blog post ideas.

9. Browse Other Blogs

Studying posts from other blogs or successful websites will give you insight into which topics are succeeding and why. While you can’t directly copy content, you can transform an idea from another blog into one that fits your audience. Sites like BuzzFeed and Mashable are pros at crafting titles and writing content that grabs a reader’s attention. Examine some popular or viral posts and see what you can take away from their success.

10. Read, Write, and Relax

Sometimes no matter how deeply you dig into the vast Internet, finding that fresh new blog topic just isn’t in the cards. Step back and take a breather. Leave your computer for a while and crack open a book, or take a journal outside and write. By clearing your mind away from technology, you just might find the Zen inspiration you need in your surroundings.