No matter how depressing it looks, the blank page must be conquered.
The effectiveness of content marketing (for conversions, SEO – you name it) has been proven time and again, but being able to write something compelling and engaging on a consistent basis over time isn’t always easy. Writer’s block (or just plain old lack of inspiration) is a wall every writer hits, but it’s not impossible to climb.
Whether you’re about to set off into the world of blogging for business or you’re an old hand who’s run out of creative juice, it’s time to pull out a crucial content marketing tool: a never-ending list of blog topics.
Having a list of possible topics on hand to refer back to might seem obvious, but there’s a lot involved in doing it properly. Below are our top 5 tips on creating and using an effective blog topic list for content marketing.
Search for inspiration
It sounds obvious, but knowing where to look for inspiration is the first (and toughest) stage of compiling your list. Search for articles on suggested blog topics (we love this infographic by Digital Marketer), find out what your competitors are blogging about, and read up on industry news (as a hospitality marketing company in Brisbane, we love Hospitality Magazine). Don’t rule out a quick scan of Pinterest, or rejigging an old blog of your own.
Mix things up
There’s no need to be repetitive, boring or predictable – make sure the topics in your list are varied, and use your blog to show your brand personality, tell your story, inform people, promote your products and services, entertain, and stand out from the crowd. Include a few topics that can be interpreted multiple ways, re-used, or updated regularly to ensure your list really is never-ending.
Add details
If you’ve got the time (and the mental energy) to flesh out the topics you’ve listed, do it now – your future, mental blocked self will thank you. Add dot points of how you’d tackle the topic, and jot down a few keywords if you’re using content marketing for SEO.
Put a time frame on it
If you’re not the self-motivating type, whack in some deadlines. Assign each of your topics to a date – whether that’s once a week or once a month – ensuring similar topics are spaced out and not posted too close together. And BAM – you have a blogging schedule.
Continue to work on it
There’s no point having a list to refer back to, if your list runs out. Don’t wait until writer’s block sets in before you start searching for new topics – always be on the look out for new content marketing ideas.
If that writer’s block is feeling insurmountable or you just don’t have the time to carry out a full content marketing campaign alone, we’re a full-service communications and marketing company in Brisbane and we’re here to help. Shoot us an email through hello@liquiditymarketing.com.au to discuss how we can take your business up a notch.