Do you feel like you have totally run out of ideas for finding blog content that ROCKS?
I mean, you are completely in love with your niche, but all that writing and thinking about writing can seem like a drag some days.
Anybody relate?
In the world of blogging, content rules! To have a successful blog, you need plenty of fresh content and interesting topics that resonate with your readers.
Writing it all yourself is one option but finding great content that is usable that you don’t have to create all by yourself (who else likes a day off?) is always a smart way to go too!
A few ideas:
- Interviews – These can be done in a variety of ways. Over the phone and then having it transcribed for a post is the obvious. But, here’s a quicker and easier way – prepare several inquiring-minds-want-to-know questions for your expert, have them answer them through an e-mail at their leisure and bam! Blog post extraordinaire!
- Guest Bloggers – Raise your hand if you like having your work done for you! Guest bloggers bring so much to the table. Fresh content, a new audience, and variety for your blog. Hint: Don’t forget to ask your guest blogger to promote the post! Here’s an example of how I used the interview/guest blogger simultaneously: Guest Blog Success
- Public Domain – Yes, there is free, reusable content out there waiting for you to find and use it. The best place to find public domain articles? Project Gutenberg
- PLR – Stands for “Private Label Rights” and is content you pay a small fee for, is usually written by professional writers and ready for you to use. I do suggest tweaking it a bit and putting a pinch of your own words in there to make it your own. It’s a quick way to get quality content and gives you that freedom to go do something besides write your blog that day! My recommendation is Easy PLR by Nicole Dean because it’s top quality and reader friendly!
- Video – People LOVE watching videos! This alone should be an incentive to use a video for your blog content. You can do it yourself or use one from Youtube. It doesn’t get much easier than that! Yes, I’ve done it. (Martha on Youtube)
OK, now you know how you can put your pencil down for a while. You don’t have to create all that luscious content on your site. You just have to know where to find the content that rocks!
Have fun!
Peace,
-Martha
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Always great to get days off!
Nicole Bandes recently posted..Facebook Fan Page Tips Anyone Can Do
For real!
Martha recently posted..Why People Love Twitter
You’re absolutely right Martha. Sometimes, writing a new blog post can prove to be difficult. I always prefer to write my own kind of content but your blog post ideas are really good. I’m about to open my blog to guest posts so I guess that’ll be some kind of vacation for me.
Lanre recently posted..Excerpts From Great Minds- What Does Twain Mean?
You will enjoy having guest bloggers and your readers will get a treat too! Let me know how it goes
Martha recently posted..Powerful Ways To Promote Your Business For Free
These are all great ideas. I have been wanting to incorporate video reviews into my blog. It would make it a whole lot easier.
Yes, and it would add variety too. Go for it!
Martha recently posted..How’s Your 2012 Productivity?
I agree that interviews can make a blog very interesting to read…You can learn a lot and I think you can even apply it in your own blog too…
GelliAnn recently posted..Overcoming Panic Attacks
Interviews are fun too! I usually ask the questions I want to know the answers too, so yes, I definitely learn!
Martha recently posted..Online Business Success And The Problem Of Time
Interviews? Yes.
Guest posts? Yes.
PLR? Seriously? No Name brand articles will never express your unique voice, your personal passion. They will never convey your expertise and credibility. Our world these days is full of enough mass-produced, prefab, depersonalized cr*p. The whole point of a blog is to ghet past that.
David Leonhardt recently posted..Write when you are inspired.
Well, maybe I should have said the PLR is a jumping off point. They can be used to jump start your own creativity. And, if you are in a writing rut or need a break, adding your touch to a well-written PLR can do the trick!
Martha recently posted..Killer LinkedIn Marketing Tips
Martha these are all good ways of getting more content. I can appreciate new content but the truth is I hardly trust anybody’s else content.
Michael Belk recently posted..Why are you still talking? Start listening.
Well, you have the option of using whatever content you like. That’s the beauty of owning your own blog!
Martha, I really like the point about interviews. That also allows both parties to cross-promote the content and build each others lists. Thanks for the great suggestions. – Kris
Yes, cross-promotion is a win/win!mthanks for stopping by!
Martha recently posted..Five Brilliant Ways To Improve Your Tweets
Here’s a twist. To illustrate the interview as one of my business blog ideas, I included an interview with myself (as the owner of my business) that I titled: An Interview That Has Me Talking to Myself.
Cathy Miller recently posted..Your Business Writing Checklist: Simple as A-B-C
What a fun twist! I don’t know if I could do that though because my post would be way too looooong!! LOL
Martha recently posted..Can Taking Massive Action Really Change Your Life??
I’ve been recently asked whether I accept guest blog posts or not. I haven’t thought much of it until now. I think it can contribute to some increased traffic for both of us…eventually.
Julia recently posted..root canal treatment
Yes, it would definitely bring more traffic. Try it, you’ll like it!
Martha recently posted..Five Brilliant Ways To Improve Your Tweets
You mentioned a couple of options I had not thought of before, as always you are always offering valuable content in your posts. Great job Martha!
Knikkolette recently posted..How Many Klout Topics Do You Have?
Appreciate the kind words Knikkolette. Thanks!
Martha recently posted..Do Blogs Really Matter? These Do!
Excellent tips, Martha! Even if you’re a prolific blogger, you could use a break from time to time. I know someone who runs a successful PLR blog. I’d like to see more content from HIM though. Adding relevant Youtube clips to your blog post is a great way to add value and keep your visitor longer. Hmm, time to explore Project Gutenberg.
Srinivas Reddy | Ask Sage recently posted..Keep It Simple, Stupid
I’m not advocating a PLR blog. I like to write my own. I’m just suggesting using it on occasion to give yourself a writing break! Thanks for your input!
Martha recently posted..Killer LinkedIn Marketing Tips
Interesting, Martha, thanks for sharing.
I did not know there was a Project Gutenberg. Something I can recommend (and I do it often) is using pictures (preferably your own) and weaving a blog post around it.
Barbara recently posted..Time to Say Goodbye
Agree with everyone else as to great points. I would add be authentically personal and use humor when appropriate. Your blog allows people to get to know you and begin to trust you. They may not like you in that they want to invite you home for dinner.
This year I have guest bloggers every Wednesday to bring even greater quality content from different perspectives.
The last observation is successful bloggers do not sell. This attitude IMHO must be first and foremost when writing and distributing content.
Leanne Hoagland-Smith
Leanne Hoagland-Smith recently posted..Shock and Awe of Business to Business Networking Costs
Martha,
Great list – good stuff as always!
I do not think I could use PLR with good conscience. I would rather go a few days without publishing than my readers receiving words that were not authentically mine.
But I respect others’ position to use this.
~Keri
Keri recently posted..Facebook 102: How To Use Facebook Pages As Your Brand Name
Great ways of getting more interaction Martha. I like them all but guest posting because it is time consuming. Great post.
Michael Belk recently posted..Do relationships need to be managed?
I can attest to using videos to spice up my blog. Once you learn the basics of shooting, editing and uploading the video the whole thing becomes child’s play.
I hate to say it, but it is sometimes easier and quicker to shoot and upload a video than it is to do write lengthy, well-researched blogpost.