How to Develop Content Ideas

Developing content can be a challenge, but there are ways to get past that writer's block.

Ironically, the first content idea that comes to my mind while developing this new blog is "how to develop content ideas."

Before even trying to brainstorm any ideas, you first need to determine an overall purpose and target audience.

We all have moments when we struggle coming up with content ideas. Here are five tips to help you next time you're stuck in that labyrinth of uncertainty:

Get In Character

Remember your target audience. No, become your target audience. Actors are best known for "getting in character" in the hours or even days before a show. This helps them understand the character's quirks and mannerisms so they can play the part effectively.

Try the same strategy with your target audience. If you're targeting fishermen, think, "What would I care about if I were a fisherman? What kinds of pain points would I have?" Maybe they care about the best lures to use, or the optimal way to cast the line. Marketers might call this process developing a "buyer persona," or an imaginary audience member who represents your target's needs and wants.

Getting in character will help you identify what your audience cares about, which in turn will allow you to create content that they'll consume. 

Do Some Research

You might not have all the knowledge in your head when getting in character or building a buyer persona. What if your client is an emu farmer who wants to promote his business on a blog, and you know nothing about emu farming? Time to do some research.

First, Google emu farming to find out what it entails. Then, start typing questions in Google. Oftentimes, the autocomplete function on Google search will finish your query with common topics other people search for. You can also look at the related searches that appear below the search results for ideas. This is all part of keyword research, which will ultimately be important for making your eventual topic searchable. 

Essentially, you have to understand a topic before creating content on it. Research will help you get there.

Brainstorm With Others

Sometimes, the cliche holds true that two heads are better than one. HubSpot recommends running brainstorming sessions or "brain dumps," in which participants "dump" any ideas that come to mind onto a piece of paper within a limited period of time. Just make sure these sessions have a clear purpose and direction. Otherwise, you risk them devolving into pow wows of who had the more epic weekend.

By no means do you need a whole group to do this. Try it with one person if that's easier, and see what kind of insights they can offer.

Re-purpose Existing Content

Not all content has to be completely new. You can re-purpose old content in different and exciting ways. For example, say you have a video in which you interviewed a local food critic about the best restaurants in town. You can easily convert that video into a written "listicle" that showcases the various culinary destinations. That's a brand new piece of content without much extra work.

In fact, the more you vary your content, the more engaging it will become for different viewers. Some might prefer watching a video; others might only want to listen to the audio while they're on their morning run. Still others prefer the written word. Re-purposing existing content will not only give you fresh material, but also fresh new ways to engage with your audience.

Take a Break

If all else fails and you're still stuck in writer's block, take a break. Do something else. Forget about it. Sometimes, the brain needs time for that ideation process. Going for a walk in the woods, chatting with a friend or even taking a nap might be just the thing you need to pull an idea out of your subconscious.

How do you come up with content ideas? Share your ideas about ideas below!