5 Little Known Sources of Content Inspiration
It’s a common misconception that copywriters and content creators churn out engaging content ideas the way Willy Wonka churns out chocolate bars.
Oh, how I wish it were the case!
Truth is, I find myself in a creative slump more than I’d like to admit.
So, how do I get through it and manage to produce the high-calibre content my clients require?
It’s all about knowing where to look for inspiration.
That’s why I’ve compiled a list of sites I can rely on.
It saves me so much time!
Instead of scouring the web and waiting for the “eureka!” moment to hit, I am able to narrow my search and focus on resources I know are useful.
No more guesswork!
Have You Been Searching For Content Inspiration?
Know this— it’s a widespread problem.
65 percent of people find it hard to produce engaging content.
And 45 percent of business owners say creating content that resonates with their target audience is their greatest content marketing challenge.
The bottom line?
Fresh, click-worthy content ideas are often hard to come by. And brands are feeling the crunch.
But don’t get discouraged just yet.
Inspiration can be found.
You just have to know where to look!
5 Little-Known Sources of Content Inspiration
These are the tried-and-true fountains of creativity I turn to when I find myself trying to squeeze inspiration from the proverbial stone (my brain).
I encourage you to bookmark these sites and return to them the next time you find yourself staring at a blank screen, page, or whiteboard.
ContentGems.COM
ContentGems is a content discovery engine and a powerful tool for those seeking content ideas for blogs, social media, e-newsletters, etc.
Essentially, you set up your account (which is FREE if you only need one workflow) and enter topics, keywords, or content sources you are most interested in. Then ContentGems sweeps the web, finds the content gems that are most relevant to your preferences and shows them to you in a curated, chronological feed.
Pretty convenient, right?
It’s one of my most-used content marketing tools.
UberSuggest
Created by digital marketing mogul Neil Patel, UberSuggest provides users with keyword suggestions for their content, examples of content currently performing well for their target keyword, and even backlink ideas to improve SEO rankings.
I often use the “content ideas” section for inspiration. By seeing what types of posts are currently performing well for your topic, you can identify content gaps and find a unique angle no one else has taken.
And the best part is you can use UberSuggest to find these high-impact golden nuggets on just about any topic you can imagine— simply type in your topic and away you go!
InformationIsBeautiful.net
InformationIsBeautiful is a website that takes data and statistics and transforms it into visually-appealing, high-impact graphics and diagrams.
If you’re someone who absorbs information better when it’s presented visually, this website is for you.
These vibrant, convenient infographics are excellent sources of content inspiration. They span a wide range of topics, from the 500 most commonly chosen computer passwords to flu virus sources and gender pay gaps.
I love this site since I’m a firm believer that hard-hitting facts are often at the heart of the Internet’s most interesting stories.
Your Competitor’s Comment Section
Whether you sell automotive accessories on Amazon or develop wellness Apps for mobile devices, you have a competitor— and chances are, they have a ton of online reviews and comments from customers.
These reviews and comments are highly valuable and are often an effective solution for those wondering how to generate content ideas.
Start by looking for any issues your competitor’s customers have complained about. Are your competitor’s shipping times too long? Have multiple patrons complained about the level of service they received? Are potential buyers saying their prices are too high?
Use these pain points to build out your content marketing strategy. The more you address these experiences and highlight your solutions, the more likely it is you will attract these customers and become the ideal alternative.
Your Previously Published Content
How often do you go back and review the blogs, social media posts, e-newsletters, or videos your business shared a year ago?
Sharing an update on a past topic or trend is a great way to generate new traffic and engagement.
Let’s say you shared a video in 2018 entitled “The BEST Kitchen Gadgets for Baking”. Why not share a new video in 2020 and call it “The BEST Kitchen Gadgets for Baking - 2020 UPDATE”.
Chances are, if your target market responded favourably to the original post, they’ll appreciate the fresh perspective.
In today’s world, information is produced and consumed at an unprecedented rate. You don’t always need to completely reinvent the wheel to capture the attention of your audience.
Sometimes, a new spin on an old favourite will do the trick!
Conclusion
As creatives, we often put unnecessary pressure on ourselves to constantly churn out imaginative, inspired ideas— which can be completely counterproductive.
Our best ideas often come when we least expect them.
And while we wait for them, there’s nothing wrong with relying on well-established resources.
In the great words of Pablo Picasso: “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”
Want to learn more about creating online content your ideal customers will love?
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How I Can Help
I take a bold, progressive and highly-imaginative approach when providing copywriting and content creation services to my clients.
With 10+ years of industry experience as an Edmonton copywriter and content creator, I have a proven ability to craft inspired, top-tier content that aligns with overarching brand and marketing strategies.
Driving growth and motivating target audiences to act are my two greatest priorities.
My clients choose to work with me because I have an innate ability to get to the heart of a message and convey it in a way that has a lasting impact.
If you are looking for a seasoned content marketer in Edmonton, I encourage you to get in touch.
I’m confident that together we won’t just reach your social engagement goals
— we’ll improve upon them!