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Welcome to the fourth entry in our blogs on blogs series. Today we’ll explore some practical ways to stimulate your brain to generate that oh so valuable content. By now, we’ve laid out the basics of how important blogging is, but now let’s get into actually putting some ideas to paper, er, into the keyboard.  Your adoring public is waiting for your compelling content, so it’s time to give them what they want – and if they didn’t know they wanted it, make them want it!

If you haven’t read our first few entries, click here to catch up on some mind-blowing stats that prove without a shadow of a doubt that blogging needs to be an essential part of your marketing plan and here for a look at five essential elements that ought to be a part of your blogging plan.  Last week, we explored four categories of blogs you ought to read and follow to better your business and keep your creative instincts sharp.

Even professional bloggers (yes, this is a profession in these changing times) struggles with coming up with fresh and intriguing topics, so don’t let anyone fool you into thinking the words just come pouring out of our fingertips. Writing is not easy, but if you have a great concept or topic, it will be a fabulous starting point for sharing your thoughts and converting sales. You know your business, and you are the expert in your field, so let’s show off and make the most of this powerful medium.

Listen to Your Audience

What is the question you get asked the most by clients?  Take that the answer to that question to craft a great informative post. Chances are you could easily make a list of four common questions without much thought. Then, guess what?  There’s a month’s worth of blog posts in one shot – boom!  Your customers did it for you! It’s key to jot down some notes during meetings on the aspects of your biz that may need some further explanation.  Not only will it make a new client understand how you can help them, but it will also ease anxiety in hiring you.

What’s Hot – Social Media

What’s the latest craze online and how can you draw a parallel to your biz?  Is it a trend, buzz word, or hot topic? Scour what’s hot and capitalize. Keep your ears and eyes open, as inspiration can strike from anywhere and often in the strangest of places. Remember to keep it non-political and non-controversial, unless you can give a professional, factual analysis. (Did you read my blog post about Ed Sheeran?)

Share a Story

The perfect type of post to build that “know-like-trust” factor. This medium is the appropriate place to let your guard down while still building your brand. Open up and let readers into your world with a short tale or wacky thing that happened recently. Even, a quick but intriguing convo you had waiting in line in the coffee shop can be the start of a post. It’s relatable and real, thus invaluable.

People love to know who they are dealing with and what makes them tick – and it makes them more at ease when writing a check.  We all want to deal with people that understand our plights, and it goes vice-versa. Just try not to get too personal, as you never know what can be a turn-off.

What’s new?

Now, this should be a no-brainer for a made-to-order post.  What new product or service are you offering?  Share your excitement by talking about these latest additions. It could be anything that makes you stand out from the other guy (or girl). Maybe you added a new staff member who has a particular expertise – if so, give them some limelight. Think about the latest changes in your business invisible to a client; a perfectly made idea for a “writes-itself” post.

Scout Others

See what other business owners in your space are talking about in their blogs and offer similar advice with your own spin. Following others is essential no matter your marketing plan to know what you are up against. It also inspires and gets the creative juices flowing. Considering you have a unique competitive advantage, here’s the chance to point that out and capitalize on it.

Brainstorm by Letting Go

We suggest making this part of your daily routine to keep inspiration flowing – not only when you’re stuck. When all else fails, use the forces of nature to open your mind and fill your blogging toolbox. Go for a walk, meditate, do some yoga, workout at the gym, sit on the beach and let the universe speak to you.  We bet you’ll come back with a few great ideas – and maybe even a little tan.

Still need some help getting started with your blogs? We’re hosting a two-day blog writing retreat in September 2017 for eight individuals to research and plan a whole years’ worth of blog posts and then write their first month’s posts. https://ripcordcomm.lpages.co/blogretreat/