If you take your blogging seriously, then you definitely realize the need to consistently come up with fresh valuable content for your blog.
Blog writing is a brain-intensive activity and as such you’ll always need to keep your creative juices flowing.
Your creative juices can run dry, and that’s when looking for inspiration comes in handy.
Finding something that inspires you to write for your blog is a sure way to keep out writer’s block and keep up your blog’s momentum.
Here you’ll find 5 ways you can use to find that much-needed inspiration even when you don’t feel like typing a single word.
1.Read Through Your Favorites
We all have something that we love or enjoy reading. It could be your favorite blog, magazine, book, author, etc. The reason you love reading them is because you always find something valuable and that inspires you.
Get a hold of your favorite book or magazine and read through it. Check out your feed reader or visit your favorite blogs. Check out the latest piece by your favorite author. You’ll find something that inspires and sparks a creative idea in you.
You don’t have to limit yourself to only reading what is directly in your niche or industry. There’s so much that goes on outside of your niche.
Read wider as you relate to your own specialties. That’s a great way to develop fresh and unique ideas since it broadens your perspectives.
2.Your Favorite Online Hangouts
Where do you regularly hangout when online? Forums, social media sites, etc are all great to find and interact with like-minded people. Talking to others is the best way to get inspired.
Visit twitter, Facebook, google plus, etc and join the conversations. The key here is to listen and discover what your audience loves talking about. Let your followers and fans inspire you.
Forum discussions are great to find questions or issues that are bugging your audience. You can easily turn these into blog topic ideas. Furthermore, joining such discussions will always boost your confidence as it brings out your expertise.
3.Look Into Your “Idea Bank”
I normally keep a notebook where I jot down all the ideas that I come across. This becomes handy since I can always refer to it any time I’m looking to write something for my blog or a client. My notebook has a big list of topic ideas and I like to call it my “idea bank”.
I know many bloggers do this. You don’t necessarily need to have a notebook like I do, but you do need to have somewhere where you take note of your ideas as they emerge. There’re lots of mobile phone apps and PC software like evernote that can help in this respect.
If you always maintain a list of ideas, then this is the time to revisit it. You’ll most likely come across a forgotten idea that you can refine into something useful. You can also merge two or more ideas into one grand idea.
4. Check Your Web Analytics Reports
Using your web analytics, you can learn so much about your audience. Free tools like Google analytics can tell you which contents your visitors love interacting with, how they discover your content ( keywords they use to find you ), how they behave once on your blog, etc.
These are all clues that can inspire great ideas for your latest blog posts. For instance, by identifying your best performing content you can come up with related content based on what your readers enjoy.
5. Take a Break – Refresh Your Mind
Taking a break from your blogging chores is a great way to refill your creative juices. Sometimes forcing yourself to write when nothing seems to be happening will actually work against you.
Take a break and do something else you enjoy. I find recreational activities to be very inspiring and refreshing to the mind. There’re many different types of recreational activities – both indoor and outdoor – that you can indulge in. Think of sports, indoor games, entertainment, etc.
Even just running to the grocery store and back can be enough to recharge your brain cells.
The important thing here is to do something else that you love. You’ll definitely find it inspiring leading to great ideas to blog about. You don’t have to beat yourself so hard. Sometimes the best things happen to us when we relax and just take it easy.
About Norbert
Finding inspiration is really good for our blogging career. If we are not doing well in any thing we should inspire with others. These are really good words.
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Hi Norbert,
This is a really good read for me, thanks for posting this informative article. ;)
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Twitter: arifurrohman
says:
if i not finding inspiration to blog i bycycling in a road and see many banner and i can got new inspiration for blogging. :D
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Twitter: EGuidetolife
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Good to see another who uses Twitter for inspiration for blogging. Such a great way to get extremely directed ideas for your blog.
By far the best use of social media for inspiration.
Thomas Reichert recently posted..Using Twitter as a Source of Blogging Inspiration
Twitter: seosolutions2
says:
Feels nice reading your comment Lakshmi.
Just like you, I normally like going through my successful articles to find ways I can improve further.
I like the cut of your job :) or at least your thought process but sorry to say that, honestly, I think I would have completely sold on the idea that he had been able to back up your premis with a substantial bit more solid facts.
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Twitter: itkitab4u
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Great tips here Norbert. Taking the occasional break is one of the best things you can do. We’re only human and we can only go for so long, until we run out of steam. Often times you’ll find that you come back completely refreshed and inspired to succeed in your daily activities.
If you live in a cold country, go on holiday for a week! It’s amazing how good you feel after seeing the sun ;)
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Twitter: ewomanweb
says:
The majority of my blog post ideas come to me when I am away from my office, away from my compuer, away from my work. It is often a phrase within a conversation about something completely unrelated to my blog topic that sparks an idea. I immediately make a note of it (on my phone) and, once I get back to my office, I either add it to my master list of ideas or start writing a post.
Twitter: BloggersGeek
says:
This is like a quote “Sometimes the best things happen to us when we relax and just take it easy.” Very well said Norbert!
Hmm, I agree, writing on favorite topics can make us to do well in our work. Thanks for your suggestions!
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We may find a new idea, a fresh concept and an innovative topic to write on when our mind is free of all the stress and tension. Hence, that point of break we take from blogging is the best time to utilize in order to keep the process on though silently. A lot od ideas rush through our mind when we read books, watch movies, and go to different places which can be developed on our come back.
Hi Norbert, thanks for your enlightening tips. It can be very frustrating for any blogger to go through this phase. I highly believe in taking a break and letting it pass, it almost, always helps :) A much-needed break gives you the ability to renew your mind and come up with fresh ideas!
Helpful and wonderful tips Nortber! We can find relaxation once in a while, and we can do great things when we are calm and our mood is ready to make blogs essential. We can do great things through this, and with the guidance of your post, I am now much confident and inspired. This is really refreshing and mind boosting post! Thank you!
As a writer I often need to write on topics which do not interest me at all. And that is certainly reflected in my writings-though i try my best not to:-). on the other hand-give me a topic i love and i get compliments for the piece! Thus, writing about things you are passionate about is the only way to be a successful blogger. Nice share-certainly an inspirational one.
Basically it is believed that good & unique content always helps to make Viral post as well as unique content help also in many ways for Viral post.
Twitter: IGBALAYEOLAYEMI
says:
Great tips and i think know how everything is going through your Web Analytics Reports and take some time out to relax the brain will really help. thanks for sharing
IGBALAYE OLAYEMI recently posted..5 Simple Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Site
Twitter: blogginginsight
says:
Yeah, web analytics are great for discovering topics that interest your readers. Relaxing your brain helps too.
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I must be lucky. I never have writer’s block. I have no shortage of ideas swimming around my enormous– and sometimes dysfunctional–brain to net and write about.
Now, maybe some of that is because I’ve been blog writing for only a month or so. Maybe I haven’t had time to exhaust my supply of fresh ideas.
One thing I did do prior to formally starting my blog was to write. I wrote a lot. Everyday. I guess in preparation for the upcoming blog endeavor.
I wrote at least 60 posts.
Truth be told a bunch of that writing was garbage not fit to ever see the light of day unless I buckle down and do a ton of thorough reworking of the material.
But, by the same token, I have a great reservoir from which to draw if, in the future, I encounter occasions when I just can’t manage to get anything fresh going.
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As a blogger, a lot of times I find myself stuck and with lack of inspiration. I think all these points mentioned in the post are good ways to find inspiration which is very essential for any blogger. Thanks for sharing the ideas.
Twitter: antonrsa
says:
Hi Norbert,
Yes – I do agree. Analytics and webmaster tools can provide you with the insight on queries and phrases searched for and your current position for the keywords (Google webmaster tools) that can help with producing new topics and ideas that normally would not have been exploited or noticed and help improving your website and or blog’s overall rankings in the SERP’s (Search Engine Results Pages).
Whenever I have an idea (even half an idea that might not be great) I create a draft post with just the title, I can even do this on my phone now (however I don’t like writing whole posts on there). If I have time I might write a sentence or 2. Then next time I sit down to write I have a bank of drafts to choose from.
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Twitter: blogginginsight
says:
Hi David, you have a very nice technique there. That certainly gives you lots of options.
Thanks for sharing!
Norbert recently posted..7 Tips to Effectively Use Blogging to Grow Your Brand
This post really helpful for novice bloggers. There are a lot of ways to find inspiration and ideas, you only need to explore and refresh your mind when needed.
Twitter: blogginginsight
says:
Glad you found useful Nina.
Norbert recently posted..7 Tips to Effectively Use Blogging to Grow Your Brand
Hey!
That helped me a lot and I´m very pleased!
I were searching for new inspiration – and i fortunately found that topic !
Twitter: blogginginsight
says:
I’m happy I could help Arnold
Norbert recently posted..7 Tips to Effectively Use Blogging to Grow Your Brand
Thanks for the tips, lately I had a hard time to find new inspiration for my blog! Keep up the good work!
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Twitter: richescornercom
says:
Share what’s going on in your life. I often find that there are a lot of life lessons and anecdotes that one can relate back to their blog’s niche.
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Hello, thank you for these tips, I find them extremely useful. I sometimes find it difficult to find inspiration to write, it is difficult finding new material to write about, especially if you write blogs regularly. I agree that taking a break can help refresh your mind and think of new ideas.
Twitter: itemspecs
says:
Often times you’ll find that you come back completely refreshed and inspired to succeed in your daily activities…Great article and very good helpful information i like it i am a blogger so i can imagine that how much effort did you put in this i am going to share this post with my friends as well thanks buddy keep up the good work…
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Hey,
I’m very pleased to find this great post. I need to thank you for ones time for this fantastic read!!!!!
Thanks,
Mohammad
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Great ideas! One thing that many bloggers forget is taking a break. It help a lot in coming up with new, fresh ideas.
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Twitter: WVeasley
says:
Norbet: This was an awesome post! I like all your points, but I could relate to the last one the most. I guess that is probably why you saved it for last. ( :
In the past, I have tried to work myself without taking any breaks. Blogging took over my life! I did not understand until after I had burned myself out and lost all creativity. I had to take a break for the blogging and social networking for a couple years, but now I had time to meditate My main goal this time around is to just have fun. Good ole fun. No rules, no deadlines and timelessness.
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Twitter: enstinemuki
says:
Hi Norbert,
Your post is solving a serious problem here. Most bloggers always run dry and that can be so unpleasant especially when you are day 3 after your last post and you still wondering what to write about. Your tips are useful and thanks for sharing them
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Twitter: blogginginsight
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Hi Enstine,
I’m glad you found the tips useful. True, it’s easy for one to run dry but fortunately nowadays there’re lots of ways to get inspired
Norbert recently posted..7 Tips to Effectively Use Blogging to Grow Your Brand
Thank you Nobert for inspiring me. It’s very useful article to me cause i were confused how to get NEW IDEAS !! Thank alot.
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Twitter: blogginginsight
says:
I’m glad I could help Shehab. You’re always welcome
Norbert recently posted..7 Tips to Effectively Use Blogging to Grow Your Brand
Normally like going through my successful articles to find ways I can improve further.
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Twitter: blogginginsight
says:
Yes, going through your most successful articles is a great way to improve
Norbert recently posted..7 Tips to Effectively Use Blogging to Grow Your Brand
It happens a lot times that we need a break from our daily routine and do something different and motivating. While blogging after writing to some extent, we feel blank and that time gaining inspiration from other sources is the best option. It can be reading a book, watching good movies. going through newspaper articles and reading other blog posts online.
Twitter: blogginginsight
says:
Thanks for your input Nelson. Taking a break and doing something different is always a good way to regain one’s focus
Norbert recently posted..7 Tips to Effectively Use Blogging to Grow Your Brand
Twitter: beckhrooy
says:
i love to check my website analytic report and find an inpiration to make good entry
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Twitter: blogginginsight
says:
Web analytic reports are good for learning about your audience and the content that resonates well with them. I too use them to find inspiration.
Thanks for your comment!
Norbert recently posted..7 Tips to Effectively Use Blogging to Grow Your Brand
Reading definitely helps in many ways. Read some blogs that you frequently visit and find some new blogs which you haven’t visited before. You’ll find different styles and techniques of writing, new content and new information. Or read a book! While reading, think of things you find interesting in that blog, see whether you agree or disagree with the articles and take it forward from there. Reading gives you a lot of ideas and of course, inspires you!
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Twitter: blogginginsight
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Hello Michael,
True, Reading other blogs and publications is probably the best way to get inspired. It just opens your brain to great ideas.
Norbert recently posted..7 Tips to Effectively Use Blogging to Grow Your Brand
Twitter: problogsuccess
says:
I always carry a pen and a notebook with me when I am away on a vacation. I usually get loads of ideas while I’m travelling (when I am not on my laptop doing the usual stuff!).
Plus I use Evernote – I have all my ideas there – doesn’t matter if I have internet connection or not, I can still work on my ideas. And when I get the connection Evernote syncs with everything! Handy!
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Twitter: blogginginsight
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Hello Jane,
I think you and me are similar in this respect. I also like carrying my notebook around since you never know when that idea strikes.
Evernote is also great for capturing ideas.
Thanks for your comment!
Norbert recently posted..Six Tips to Create Engaging Content for Your Blog
Twitter: dragonblogger
says:
This is one of the main reasons I enjoy running my non-niche blog, I really don’t have to struggle with keeping content in a single focus. Some days I did just get burnt out talking WordPress all the time and wanted variation.
Reading others and having conversations on social media always tended to inspire me to write something.
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Twitter: ikenedu
says:
You are right Justin, it is same case with me……thanks for sharing.
Twitter: blogginginsight
says:
Hello Justin,
That’s probably one of the challenges of running a niche site. Your blog content is always centered around a tight topic and it can sometimes get tiresome.
Social networking is also great. You just have to keep your ears open.
Norbert recently posted..7 Tips to Effectively Use Blogging to Grow Your Brand
Twitter: learnit2earnit
says:
Great tips Norbert! Blogging should be from your heart and reflect who you are. Not copying someone else because you think that is the right thing to do or say.
I am glad you mention in #5 to take a break and refresh the mind. That is really important to do. Get out, take a breath, and the mind will be rejuvenated. I find by going for a walk or even driving to my post office, there are things around me that actually inspire me to write about.
Appreciate you sharing these tips and look forward to sharing them with others.
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Twitter: Beetroot Benefits
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Hello,
I totally agree, it is hard sometimes to stay inspired, nut not imposible. Useful advice, thanks :)
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Twitter: Beetroot Benefits
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Hi,
I really enjoyed reading this article, it is absolutely true, sometimes can be hard to write something good for you blog, but not imposible. Thanks for your tips.
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Twitter: blogginginsight
says:
Glad I could help. You’re always welcome.
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Twitter: ipad89com
says:
These are really great ways which can help me to find inspiration for blogging. I agree with you that we should take break so that we can feel fresh and enjoy blogging. Anyways thanks Norbert for such a great article
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Twitter: blogginginsight
says:
Yes, it’s nice to take a break once in a while so you can refresh your brain.
Norbert recently posted..Six Tips to Create Engaging Content for Your Blog
Twitter: ikenedu
says:
It is not easy to write interesting content that attracted to readers. We should always use new and fresh ideas to make users to our blog reader.
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Twitter: blogginginsight
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Yes Neha, it can be challenging to always come up with interesting contents that readers love. That’s why it’s always nice to look unto your readers for inspiring ideas.
Thanks for your comment!
Norbert recently posted..Six Tips to Create Engaging Content for Your Blog
Hi, i blog for fun and write a new one every week or two. I like yourself write ideas down for my car detailing business as well as my blog on a daily basis and then convert them onto my computer when at home. The only thing i fear is running out of ideas as there is only so much i can write about my chosen subject, i cant go from car cleaning hints to writing about camping, my other interest
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Twitter: seoallrounder
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this is what i love about blogging , you can basically talk about anything to your readers and get good response from them, where as i have few micro niche sites and its really hard to come up with something new and keep the blog updated so thts why i am not getting many readers on it but google traffic is good on micro niche sites.
I am just afraid that google wont slap me for that :)
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Inspiration-the most important factor to start any work and keep on doing it in every Ups and Downs of life.The one who is not inspired to do things cannot retain the passion within.
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Twitter: MobilityCompany
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I too have experienced that a quality break from the regular blogging mind fill my thoughts with better ideas. When I sit back to write, I go through my successful articles and tell to myself that I can be better! And of course the Blogging Queen, Ileane Smith, virtually enhances my confidence and spirit.
Hope you are listening Ileane!
Twitter: blogginginsight
says:
Feels nice reading your comment Lakshmi.
Just like you, I normally like going through my successful articles to find ways I can improve further.
A quality break is definitely great for refreshing one’s mind.
Thanks for your comment!
Norbert recently posted..7 Tips to Effectively Use Blogging to Grow Your Brand
Twitter: robfrancken
says:
Great tips here Norbert. Taking the occasional break is one of the best things you can do. We’re only human and we can only go for so long, until we run out of steam. Often times you’ll find that you come back completely refreshed and inspired to succeed in your daily activities.
If you live in a cold country, go on holiday for a week! It’s amazing how good you feel after seeing the sun ;)
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Twitter: blogginginsight
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Hi Rob,
True, taking the occasional break is always just as vital as the blogging process itself. It’s good to refresh the brain.
Fortunately for me I live in one of those warm countries and I’m always seeing the sun daily.
Norbert recently posted..7 Tips to Effectively Use Blogging to Grow Your Brand
Twitter: bbt0786
says:
This time is not for fun and we can say that if you are not in the mood then can change the topics rather than doing the some topic.do something worth not to do anything……….
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Twitter: blogginginsight
says:
Yeah, it’s good to always find topics that suit your mood at a particular time
Norbert recently posted..7 Tips to Effectively Use Blogging to Grow Your Brand