SkiBlog Post Ideas, and Battling Writer’s Block Ain’t One written byStefanie FlaHesitant to refer to a list of blog post ideas?

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written byStefanie Flaxman

posted onJanuary 20, 2022

Hesitant to refer to a list of blog post ideas? I get it.

As a lifelong overthinker, I know firsthand that the process of coming up with your next blog post idea feels like it needs to be a lot more complicated and nuanced than referring to a list.

You want your post to be unique. You want to offer something special.

But 15 years of business blogging experience has taught me that, as much as you want to do a good job, you can’t be too precious about your blog (no rhyme intended).

As you learn how to become a freelance writer, it’s much more important that you gain blogging momentum and post on a regular schedule than it is to obsess over the “perfect” blog post idea.

The professional writer’s approach to blog post ideas

Luckily, you can give yourself a break — especially if you’re taking your first step as a new writer — and scan some quick topic ideas for inspiration.

Art is an exploration. A journey full of uncovering and discovering. And to create killer content, you can merge the concepts below with the knowledge you want to share with your prospects.

So, I invite you to get creative and adapt the following blog post ideas to your own needs. 

When you make working on your blog a daily practice, such as brushing your teeth or washing your face, topics will flow to you at unexpected times. In short, you start living like other professional writers.

Blog post topics without overthinking

The main thing to keep in mind when selecting your next blog post topic is to surrender your overthinking-struggle. 

Just bookmark this article, and whisper to yourself:

If you’re having blog problems, I feel bad for you son
I’ve got 99 post ideas, and a block ain’t one

My apologies to JAY-Z. In case you were wondering why I never made it as a rapper … now you know.

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99 blog post ideas to start using today

After the list below, I go into more detail about how to start using each blog post idea.

Let’s get to it.

Remember why you’re a writerPut together a tutorialReveal a little-known fact about your product or serviceOrganize your thoughtsForm a narrativeExplore one idea at a timeCreate cornerstone content categoriesSkim news headlines Expose big issuesHonor small concernsSum up the state of your industryMimic an unrelated industryResearch trendsCheck in with your competitorsOffer a new perspectiveUpdate your old ideasRefresh your About pageTell more storiesSystematize your topicsUse images or drawingsHit a nerveLeave your comfort zoneTry a new piece of technologyBe a language snobListen morePromote a transformationReveal handy shortcutsBecome tastefully controversialProvide a checklistDiscover new bloggersRe-read your favorite bookPick up a new bookPick up a bad bookRe-watch your favorite movieWatch a new moviePut on a bad movieAttend a webinarShare intelligent templatesAsk for helpOffer to helpTake up a new hobbyRepurpose video contentRepurpose a podcast episodeInterview someone you agree withDebate someone you disagree withProfile someone just starting out in your nicheCraft a poemDouble down on a popular topicSelect new keywordsCollaborate with a friendCollaborate with a foeRemember fortune favors the boldAddress a popular opinionPhilosophizeEducate with in-depth lessonsEducate with quick tipsGive solutions to problems you’ve facedDissect a complicated subjectBe vulnerableWrite a manifestoPredict a trendStart a trendReflect on your journeyGive hot takesShare timely lessonsUse analogiesUse metaphorsProfile your heroesChange your surroundingsBorrow from other industriesBreatheRearrange your spaceWalkEatShowerSleepAsk your communityReference your journalDeprive yourselfWrite “something”Look out the windowDrawPromote a colleagueReview a productTry a serviceCritique a bookJoin a book clubRound up your top postsAnswer reader questionsGive better answers than your competitorsWatch your favorite YouTube channelsScan TwitterAdmire InstagramDeep dive on PinterestServe your local communityGet seriousLighten upDraft headlines, not blog postsBecome a member of a professional communityHow to use these blog post ideas

If you need more of a jump-start to get your creative juices flowing, here are smart ways to implement these blog post ideas.

1. Remember why you’re a writer

This mindset should help you come up with endless topics to write about on your blog. When you remember why you’re a writer, you remember what you want to share with your audience.

Accordingly, make a list of the subjects that you could talk about for hours, and then see which ones will make helpful articles for interested prospects.

If you need some motivation, review our 52 offbeat inspirational quotes for writers.

2. Put together a tutorial

Tutorials are a great way to build out your blog, because they’re instantly engaging. Your prospect wants to learn how to do something, and you can teach them.

Think about your prospects’ most pressing problems, and show them why you’re uniquely qualified to show them the best solutions.

3. Reveal a little-known fact about your product or service

You’re often so familiar with your products or services that you forget to disclose their most compelling benefits and features.

Use your blog to deep dive into the little-known, special aspects of your offerings.

4. Organize your thoughts into blog post ideas

Writing is a great way to figure out what you’re thinking. You can “think out loud” in a blog post to give your readers insight into your creative mind.

A sharp content editing process will help ensure that you don’t ramble and keep the article focused on information that might help your reader on their own creative journey.

5. Form a narrative

Remember that you want to give your reader a reason to return to your website again and again, so treat your blog like an unfolding story. Each individual post can be part of a larger storyselling narrative that you craft.

Readers will tune in to find out what happens next.

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6. Explore one idea at a time

When you organize your thoughts, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by everything that you ideally want to share with your audience.

Instead, make time to slow down when it comes to all of the blog post ideas that might pop into your mind. You only need to explore one idea at a time.

7. Create cornerstone content categories

Cornerstone content categories help readers easily discover all of the topics that you cover on your blog.

Once you’ve written a handful of posts, see how they can be grouped into categories, and then use those categories to brainstorm new ideas.

8. Skim news headlines 

What’s going on in national news? Local news? Your industry?

Stay aware of current events, and take inspiration from the world around you. You’ll find direct and indirect ways for news to influence your writing and keep your blog fresh.

9. Expose big issues

Every niche has issues, and newcomers might not be familiar with the challenges within a certain space.

Revealing how to navigate those challenges can be both informative and educational, even if the knowledge you share seems obvious to you.

10. Honor small concerns

When you’re ready to go deeper, what are some lesser-known concerns in your industry?

You can use your experience to further educate your reader and position yourself as a subject-matter expert.

11. Sum up the state of your industry

Making your blog a resource within your industry is helpful for both newbies and seasoned veterans. If you’re especially opinionated, you’ll thrive with this blog post topic idea. 

Consider writing an epic post summing up the state of your industry, or if the state of your industry is constantly changing, you can make it a regular feature on your site.

12. Mimic an unrelated industry

It’s helpful to have interests outside of your niche. For example, you might write about gardening, but follow a number of celebrity gossip blogs.

What types of posts do you like reading? Adapt those formats to fit your needs.

13. Research trends

Writer’s block can never hang around too long when research is your trusty friend. Look across all types of blogs for the most user-friendly and up-to-date post formats.

This can also be a good time to evaluate which types of headlines are currently the most popular and generating strong engagement.

14. Check in with your competitors

After you’ve performed general research, check in with your competitors. 

The best practice to keep in mind here is that you’re not looking to copy them — you’re looking to get an idea of how they’re approaching your topic. How can you build on their ideas, and ultimately produce more useful content?

15. Offer a new perspective

If you don’t feel great about the direction your competitors are going in with their blog post ideas, offer a new perspective on your niche.

This is your opportunity to break away from the pack and, once again, show readers why you started your blog in the first place.

16. Update your old ideas

Our beliefs and opinions naturally change over time as we learn new things and have new experiences.

Revisit your old blog posts, notebooks, or diary entries. Are there any stale ideas that you’d be excited to update in a new article? 

17. Refresh your About page

It’s easy to forget about what you originally wrote on your website’s About page. Could it use a refresh?

Once you feel great about the story you tell on that area of your site, see if the current information could be expanded upon with one or more blog posts.

18. Tell more stories

Thinking in terms of “telling stories,” rather than “writing blog posts,” can often spark great blog post ideas.

Your blog is your platform to display your killer writing skills as you help your prospects with the transformation that they want or need. Entertain and educate at the same time.

19. Systematize your topics

When you have a system for rotating through blog post topics, it’s hard to run out of ideas. You’ll always have a category to refer to, instead of having to think of an idea from scratch.

For example, if you write about gardening once a week, you could rotate through these topic categories each month:

Annual gardeningControlling weeds and petsIndoor gardeningEdible gardening20. Use images or drawings

If you normally write text-heavy posts, consider new ways to use images throughout your articles.

Could images or drawings help readers understand your point better? Visual content marketing not only helps pull in readers, selecting images or creating your own drawings can also help you write more when you feel a little stuck.

21. Hit a nerve

Many truths are difficult to hear, and some might say that’s why blogs were invented. 

As long as you can back up your claims with supporting evidence, write about sensitive subjects in thoughtful ways to attract new fans who are intrigued by what you have to say.

22. Leave your comfort zone

When it comes to learning how to make money as a freelance writer and generating new blog post ideas, you often have to stretch the limits of your comfort zone. After all, you don’t want to sound like everyone else in your space.

A good rule of thumb is: if writing about a new topic makes you feel a little uneasy, it’s probably the topic you should tackle next.

23. Try a new piece of technology

Ever wonder which apps and accessories actually streamline your daily life and which unintentionally make things more complicated?

Perform the dirty work for your audience and try out a new piece of technology that you’ve never used before. After a thorough trial, report about the experience.

24. Be a language snob

Getting particular about language is one way to demonstrate your expertise. 

Try a primer about the terms used in your industry. Or, are there common phrases in your niche that are technically inaccurate? Set the record straight.

25. Listen more

Professional writers make it a habit to actively listen in conversations. It’s a technique that ignites countless blog post ideas.

Your ideas will be more straightforward if you frequently associate with people in your niche, but general concerns and interests can also be topics for your business blog.

26. Promote a transformation

What type of transformation does your ideal reader hope to achieve?

When you take the focus off of coming up with blog post topics and remember your role as a guide, you naturally want to share the insider wisdom that’ll help someone move closer to their goal. 

27. Reveal handy shortcuts

Knowing your topic inside and out means that you likely take helpful hacks for granted. These could be keyboard shortcuts or knitting timesavers.

Give your audience quick tips that they can immediately begin using to make their lives easier.

28. Become tastefully controversial

Being controversial just for the sake of being controversial is utterly tacky, but that doesn’t mean you always have to fall in line with the status quo.

If you have a sound argument that challenges a commonly held belief or practice, use your platform to voice your alternative opinion in a tasteful and respectful manner.

29. Provide a checklist

This is another quick and dirty blog post idea. A checklist is a simple tutorial that guides your reader along the task they need to complete.

Take the guesswork out of a process, and show your audience the exact steps they need to work through to achieve their goal.

30. Discover new bloggers

Who are the new bloggers in your space?

At first glance, this topic might seem like it only works for blogs with large audiences, but this is a great subject for smaller blogs as well. 

It shows you appreciate other writers who are currently doing good work and helps your readers discover different platforms they might enjoy.

31. Re-read your favorite book

Terrific writing is incredibly inspirational, and professional writers know that if you’re reading something you love, it’s almost impossible to run out of blog post ideas. 

If nothing new interests you at the moment, re-read your favorite book and extract lessons from the text that will help your audience.

32. Pick up a new book

Ready to learn something new?

Fiction or nonfiction can work well here. Bring your readers along with you as you embark on your own new reading adventure. 

33. Pick up a bad book

People love to hate things, and if you’re reading something you don’t like, you’ll rarely have writer’s block.

Share your poor experience with your audience, along with lessons you’ve gleaned from reading a bad book. 

34. Re-watch your favorite movie

If you needed a new blog post idea yesterday, take a couple of hours to re-watch your favorite movie: What’s great about it? Why should someone else check it out?

This type of post can be educational and gives your audience insight into your personal preferences, so they get to know you a little better.

35. Watch a new movie

A new movie works just as well if you’re crunched for time and need something to write about. You can check out an older movie you’ve never seen before, or a popular new release.

Any themes in the movie that are relevant to your niche?

36. Put on a bad movie

A well-known bad movie, or one that simply looks bad to you, can get your wheels turning.

This alternative to reading a bad book works well in a pinch, and can provide lively content for your audience.

37. Attend a webinar

There are countless free webinars to attend every week.

Whether you attend one in your space or in a related field, report highlights and lowlights back to your audience — as well as general webinar best practices about what makes a great (and not so great) session. 

38. Share intelligent templates

Similar to checklists, templates are simple and useful when you’re stumped about blog post ideas.

Reflect on what’s worked for you when tackling a challenge, and create a template for the process.

39. Ask for help

Knowing when to ask for help is one of the greatest skills you can develop.

Either ask your audience what they’d like you to write about, or ask a mentor to guide you in the right direction if you’re feeling a little lost.

40. Offer to help

You can also be the source of help for someone else.

Reach out to someone you know who can use your help and document the experience (with their permission, of course). It might inspire your readers to pay it forward and offer their help to someone who they know who’s in need of assistance.

41. Take up a new hobby

When we learn something new, we often get pumped up about the subject and want to research it as much as possible to grow our skill set.

Share this process with your readers, along with key takeaways they can apply to their own growing skill sets.

42. Repurpose video content

Have you made videos in the past?

Revisit, update, and turn your old video content into new blog posts.

43. Repurpose a podcast episode

Ever host a podcast?

Revisit, update, and turn your old audio content into new blog posts.

44. Interview someone you agree with

This is a fun one because you get to talk with someone you admire.

Schedule an interview with someone who shares your values and beliefs, and transcribe the conversation in a blog post.

45. Debate someone you disagree with

Debating someone you disagree with might be a little more nerve-wracking than interviewing a hero, but it also makes for a compelling conversation.

Select someone who will be respectful and provide insights for your audience.

46. Profile someone just starting out in your niche

This is one of my favorite blog post ideas, because most people overlook it.

It’s common for bloggers to interview high-profile content creators who have already achieved “success,” but lesser-known content creators who have their heads down doing the hard work can be just as — if not more — fascinating.

Don’t forget about interesting people at the beginning of their journeys, and give them a space to share their relatable trials and tribulations.

47. Craft a poem

Need a change?

Embrace your poetic side and show your readers a different type of writing style from your standard blog posts.

48. Double down on a popular topic

If there’s a wildly popular topic that your audience loves, don’t be afraid to revisit it.

This time, approach the topic from a different angle and share new insights since the last time you posted about the subject.

49. Select new keywords

Slacked off on your website’s SEO lately?

You can get back on track by selecting five to ten new keywords you want to rank for — you’ll then have five to ten new blog post ideas.

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50. Collaborate with a friend

Sometimes collaborating with a friend opens up your mind to a whole new world of blog post possibilities.

Team up to create special content for both of your blogs.

51. Collaborate with a foe

Again, this one might be more challenging than collaborating with a friend, but it yields truly unique content that most of your competitors won’t dare create.

Find someone who has a different point of view from yours, and team up to create special content for both of your blogs. It’ll provide arguments from both sides of an issue, and your audience can decide for themselves.

For example, Mikhaila Peterson often has opposing views on her podcast.

52. Remember fortune favors the bold

If you’re debating whether or not to take a calculated risk … oftentimes you should take that calculated risk (as long as it doesn’t involve reckless behavior that harms yourself or others).

Personal and professional evolution is natural, so you don’t have to keep writing about the same topics you’ve already covered. Try something new and unexpected.

53. Address a popular opinion

Love or hate a commonly held belief?

Explain why a popular opinion does, or doesn’t, work for you and the audience you aim to serve with your blog content.

54. Philosophize

If you’re looking for blog post ideas that will set you apart from your competitors, look no further than your own philosophies.

It’s one thing to educate your audience about a subject, it’s another to present your personal philosophies that help you reach important conclusions about relevant issues.

55. Educate with in-depth lessons

Your blog can be a platform for your own free online courses, or your posts can be lesson snippets that encourage readers to sign up for the full version via email.

It’s an easy way to offer value while you build your email list.

56. Educate with quick tips

When you offer short lessons frequently, you don’t have to spend too much time on one post.

You can also use quick tips to build your email list, so make sure your readers know that they should subscribe to your blog. That way, they’ll never miss an update,

57. Give solutions to problems you’ve faced

Vulnerability without oversharing can reap big rewards.

Explain problems you’ve encountered on your personal and professional journeys, along with the solutions you’ve found helpful. They’ll resonate with others in the same position.

58. Dissect a complicated subject

Subject-matter experts can endlessly talk about complicated topics. What’s complicated about your niche?

Break down the complexities to help someone new to your industry understand it better. You can also research how your competitors explain the topic, and then make it more clear and detailed for novices.

59. Be vulnerable

Here’s a more straightforward blog post idea about vulnerability.

Blog posts are a chance to reveal a more behind-the-scenes look at your work. They can contrast highlight reels (i.e., Instagram) that only display positive outcomes and achievements.

60. Write a manifesto

Stand for something? Have unparalleled knowledge? Want to start a revolution?

Write a manifesto about it in the form of an epic blog post.

61. Predict a trend

If you have a knack for predicting the future, use your blog to make predictions and let your readers know where you think things are heading.

This could be a one-time post or a recurring series.

62. Start a trend

If you fancy yourself a trendsetter, start a new trend on your blog.

Change up your post format, redesign your site, or use social media in unusual ways.

63. Reflect on your journey

Some of the best blog post ideas can’t be replicated, because they’re unique to your individual experiences.

Therefore, don’t be shy about sharing what motivated you to get started on your business journey, what keeps you going, and how far you’ve come since the early days.

64. Give hot takes

Here’s another reminder not to overthink the process.

Have a knee-jerk reaction to something in the news or a development in your industry? Outline your thoughts in a hot-take blog post.

65. Share timely lessons

A timely lesson blog post is a little more extensive than a hot take.

You’ll have to act fast while a subject is trending, but it can be a lively way to keep your blog fresh, current, and educational.

66. Use analogies

Persuasive analogies are powerful writing tools.

If you can think of a great one to explain a tricky topic, your blog post will be insightful and entertaining.

67. Use metaphors

The right metaphor can stop readers in their tracks.

They’re ingredients in a recipe for winning content that helps you reach your marketing and business goals.

68. Profile your heroes

Are you a walking encyclopedia when it comes to your favorite people?

Turn your knowledge into engaging blog posts that show others the exceptional qualities of your heros.

69. Change your surroundings

Always write at home? Go to a coffee shop. Always write at a coffee shop? Try writing at home.

When you change your surroundings, you might feel a little out of your element at first, but the experience aids your creativity.

70. Borrow from other industries

You might not be able to directly duplicate a blog post style that another industry uses, but can you adapt it to your niche?

For example, what can a gardening blog learn from a yoga blog? What can a real estate blog learn from a knitting blog? What can a passive income blog learn from a grammar blog?

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71. Breathe

Sometimes the only thing between you and your next killer blog post idea is a breath.

Make space in your day to breathe and reflect. Unexpected ideas arise in those quiet moments.

72. Rearrange your space

If you’ve been staring at your screen for too long, stuck without any blog post ideas, you might just need to get up and move around a bit.

Use this time to perform a chore you’ve been putting off, such as sweeping under your couch, or move your couch to the other side of your room altogether.

The activity will not only change your perspective, the obstacles you might encounter while taking care of your task might lead to your next blog post topic.

73. Walk

If your living space doesn’t need any rearranging, simply get up and take a walk outside. Once I start walking, I personally never want to go back inside, but short walks can pack a punch as well.

Focus on staying present and see where your mind takes you. It’s an experience that’ll either give you something to write about, or it’ll clear your mind so the next right idea can flow in.

74. Eat

When was the last time you had something to eat?

Grab some brain food, and let your mind relax, similar to how it can take a break from overthinking while you’re on a walk. 

Or, what kind of analogies can you glean from your meal that will help you elaborate on the blog post topic you’re thinking about? 

75. Shower

Ah, the good ol’ shower trick. This is probably the ultimate brain-relaxer.

Relieve yourself of the pressure of generating a brilliant blog post idea and take a quick rinse. At the very least, you’ll feel refreshed, and most likely your next move will, almost magically, come to you.

76. Sleep

If all of the other types of breaks don’t work for you, reset your mind with some sleep.

Remember that your brain is on your side. It wants to help you think of the best blog topic to tackle, so intend to get that breakthrough idea when you wake up from dreamland.

77. Ask your community

Wondering if others share the same opinions as you on recent news?

Share your developing thoughts in a post with the goal of hearing your community’s thoughts on the subject.

78. Reference your journal

Even though your journal might not formally be a blog post idea notebook, it might contain golden nuggets of wisdom.

Flip back over the last few months to review what’s on your mind and if those thoughts will serve your audience.

79. Deprive yourself

When you’re bored, you get ideas. So, stop scrolling on social media or watching YouTube videos. Put down your phone.

When you have nothing else to do, the thoughts that arise in your mind could very well be your next blog post.

80. Write “something”

This is my classic trick to start writing when you don’t have any idea what to write about.

Create an outline for your blog post by typing the word “something” over and over again until you have a headline full of the word “something,” followed by several paragraphs made up of the word “something.”

You end up with a nonsense blog post that has the word “something” over and over again. Eventually, you get so fed up with looking at the repeated word that you start to fill in the paragraphs with what you actually want to say.

81. Look out the window

Looking out your window can produce a variety of blog post ideas.

You might observe an interesting or unusual occurrence, or if you have a view of nature, it might simply help you create a metaphor that allows you to clearly express the message you want to communicate.

82. Draw

As a writer, I find drawing extremely freeing. I feel less pressure to “get everything right,” and just enjoy the experience.

Your drawings can also free up your mind, so the right blog post idea can flow in, or you can create drawings for your posts. 

83. Promote a colleague

Highlighting one of your colleagues is another type of post that introduces your audience to a new, helpful resource.

Do they write an awesome blog or newsletter? Show off their great work and direct your readers to their platform.

84. Review a product

Want to see what all of the hype is about when it comes to a popular new product? Try it out for yourself and review it in a blog post.

This type of post works for a variety of products. You can challenge others who have given it positive/negative reviews, or find an item that doesn’t have a lot of reviews yet.

85. Try a service

This might take a bit more planning than reviewing a product, but that’s why service reviews are special.

They can be in-depth blog posts that help your readers determine whether or not a service in your industry will meet their needs.

86. Critique a book

Book reviews can turn into multiple blog posts. Instead of thinking about one review that you write when you finish a book, you can also review the book chapter by chapter (without giving away any spoilers).

If you love analyzing and critiquing writing, take advantage of this blog post style. 

87. Join a book club

When you join a book club, you’re not just doing a deep dive on certain books, you’re also learning about topics book lovers like to discuss and what matters to them.

You can use your book club discussions to generate human interest topics, and if the people in your book club are also your ideal blog readers, you can address their concerns.

88. Round up your top posts

New readers are likely not familiar with your blog’s most popular posts, so dedicate a post or two to guiding them to the topics that have helped others.

If you have a large blog archive, you could also make this a monthly feature.