If you tapped into the back end of this site, you’d see a gap of over a year in posting content.
I’ve been dabbling in online marketing for more years than I can count, and I ran out of ideas.
It was that moment everyone eventually reaches. You think there isn’t one more thing you can write about, talk about, or teach that you haven’t already done, or someone else did better than you ever could.
For a week, I stared at my computer, trying to think of something to write about. Because this blog was still an uncommitted hobby, I stopped trying.
Cue to earlier this year, and I realized I needed a list that I could turn to at any time that would jar me into action – a list of content ideas that would rattle my brain and shake loose some good ideas I could immediately use to create great content. (This is even more important in my primary niche.)
I immediately started building my content idea list, and I keep it on my computer. Now whenever I’m stuck for an idea, I choose one of these and then start brainstorming ideas.
Ever since I made this list, I haven’t run out of things to post. Maybe it’ll help you as much as it’s helped me.
- Informative Articles – Compose articles that offer background and deeper information about your products. For instance, if you sell science kits, you might write a post explaining the science behind each experiment.
- Instructional Videos – Produce videos that guide viewers step by step through using your products effectively. For example, if you’re marketing artistic paint supplies, show a video tutorial of creating a simple painting using those supplies.
- Customer Experience Features – Encourage your customers to submit their own photos and stories of them using your products. For instance, if someone bought a bike from your store, ask them to share their first ride adventure.
- Engaging Competitions – Organize online competitions that ask participants to interact with your brand. For example, you could have a photo contest where customers take pictures with your product in creative ways.
- Collaborations with Influencers – Partner with influencers to create content that resonates with your audience. For example, if you sell cookware, team up with a popular food blogger to create a recipe using your products.
- Behind-the-Scenes Insights – Share the process behind your product creation. If you’re a chocolatier, you could showcase the chocolate-making process from bean to bar.
- Multi-use Emails – Re-use your emails as posts. For instance, a monthly newsletter about gardening tips can be broken down into social media posts or a series of blog articles.
- Interactive Quizzes – Create quizzes that relate to your product’s use or fun facts. If you sell books, a quiz about “Which Literary Character Are You?” can engage your audience.
- Real-Time Webinars – Host webinars to discuss relevant topics or demonstrate your product and post the recording. If your business is tech-based, a webinar on the latest tech trends or how-tos can be highly engaging.
- Detailed Comparison Guides – Write guides that compare your product with others, showing why yours stands out. For example, if you offer a study app, compare its features with other learning tools on the market.
- Customer Success Stories – Narrate accounts where your product made a difference for a customer. A testimonial from a student who improved their grades using your educational app can be compelling.
- Interview Industry Experts – Find people who have succeeded in your industry, interview them, and post summaries. You could interview recycling experts if you sell eco-friendly products.
- Educational E-books – Provide comprehensive e-books on topics related to your product and release chapters or chapter summaries as posts. For a company selling yoga gear, an e-book about starting a yoga practice could be valuable for customers.
- Virtual Product Demonstrations – Offer interactive demonstrations for a hands-on experience with your product. For example, a virtual reality simulation to test drive a car can give an immersive experience to potential buyers.
- Seasonal Campaigns – Align your marketing content with seasons or holidays. If you have a pet store, you could run a “Summer Pet Safety” campaign during the hotter months with relevant products and tips.
The big trick is knowing who you’re talking to, what they like, and where they hang out online. That helps you make the right stuff to catch their attention.
And don’t forget, have a blast with it. If you’re having fun, chances are, they will too.
If you need some help figuring out your content schedule, get in touch with us here. We’ll get you a solid base to move forward with.
Bonus tip: It doesn’t matter what someone else has done or how well. You have a unique perspective on what you might teach, and someone will connect with you better than they connect with another.