How do you get ideas for blog posts and RSS feed posts?
The
best blogs and feeds are those that contain unique, fresh, compelling,
content. So where do these prolific posters get their ideas? I talked
to a handful of bloggers to determine where their inspiration originated
for their content.
Not surprisingly, ideas for blog posts or RSS feed items originate
or are influenced by other web content. The following are venues
for finding your online muse:
1.Google News
Monitor Google News for keywords related to your industry. If
you find a story you disagree with or wholeheartedly agree with
write about it. Add your thoughts, and editorialize the content.
This does not mean you should just repost Google news summaries.
The value is not only in the news aggregation, but in the commentary
that you provide. Tie news items to specific events, conditions,
or the impact of specific news on the industry. Adding a view
point or reference to a news article adds genuine value.
2. Web Logs
Look at your websites "long tail", and examine your web logs.
Find phrases that are relevant to your website and write in-depth
information about those subjects. This is particularly helpful
if the blog or RSS feed is used as a marketing tool for the website.
By focusing on obscure or less popular search terms and phrases
that are found in your web logs, you will not only find that you
provide content of interest to your readers, but you will attract
additional web traffic.
3. Collate
Many bloggers have established themselves as "experts" by simply
amassing and organizing a large collection of information that
relates to a specific field. Use the blog or feed to announce
and organize information, new products or services in an unbiased
way within a specific industry.
4. Search
Most people assume that there is information on every subject
on the Internet, but that is not necessarily the case. If you
stumble on an area where there is minimal content, consider it
an opportunity. Continue developing content. Chances are if you
were searching for the content someone else is as well, develop
a blog post or RSS feed for information that find inaccessible.
5. Untouchable Content
Consider tackling all of the content that many other publishers
find difficult or uncomfortable. Controversial or content that
is difficult to write about is often overlooked, look at challenging
content as an opportunity.
6. Monitor Authority Blogs
Watch authority blogs for developing industry news. Comment
on any breaking news or editorials that you either agree or disagree
with. This may attract the attention of an authority blog and
could result in a link to your commentary. Be sure to credit the
source of any blog posts that you comment on or quote.
7. Advice
If you are an expert? Consider developing an advice column.
Let readers send you questions and post the questions and answers
in your blog or RSS feed. This allows your readers to direct your
content.
8. Conversations
Many bloggers and publishers discover topic ideas from conversations.
Create dialogue with both individuals familiar and unfamiliar
with your blog topic, the questions that come up could be good
fodder for posts.
9. Forums/ Newsgroups / Usenet
Forums are great places to find topic ideas. Read topic specific
forum posts then editorialize and summarize the posts.
10. Look Outside the Box
Do not constrain your thinking to parameters found online. The
best RSS feeds and blogs are targeted, clear, consistent, and
unique. It is okay to occasionally step outside your comfort zone
to find appealing content.
While breaking news has obvious value, so to does timeless content
and "how to" posts. Don't be afraid to mix it up and provide readers
a combination of the two.
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| About the
Author
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating,
editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition
Sharon manages marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging
software company.
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