If you’ve just started your business blog, or you’re a content writer, you know it’s hard to come up with new topics to write continuously. Sometimes the idea won’t stop jumping out of your mind, and sometimes your ideas are completely offline.
Trying to keep up with new trends and updates can be very difficult, and sometimes you may even miss a lot of things. However, with the amount of data we have online, it can be very easy to find good and quick content to write about!
It’s not just about finding something to write and posting it. It has to be something that adds value to people and something that people are interested in reading. This is why you should always be focusing on the readers. The people you are trying to reach. Sure, it’s good to post about new inventions and news, but make sure they are topics your AUDIENCE wants to read about.
A simple answer to the best ways to find GOOD content: People.
People are your answer. Discover what their interests are and what they want to read on an everyday basis. If you are not writing for your audience, then who are you writing for?
I know this is much easier said than done. It’s pretty hard to put yourself in other’s shoes and think outside the box when you know a specific industry like the back of your hand. Sometimes it’s all about simplicity, and explaining the basics.
Here are 5 ways to find good content fast.
1. Your Own Customers
This is the most important and effective way to find good content fast. Your customers are the exact people you want to target. Have a 20-minute conversation with them and ask them questions about their interests and confusions within your industry.
You can even do this without asking them directly. During your initial meetings/conversations, clients have many questions 90% of the time. Make sure you are paying attention to what in your marketing or selling strategy you didn’t cover.
Being attentive to their confusions and questions will also serve you for future sales prospects and sales strategy. This way you will start to tackle down any misconceptions of your business right off the bat, and it will become a smoother process as you discover all of these questions.
Make sure you are outlining exactly what the pain points are when it comes to your clients. The reason your clients may be doubtful or worried about buying your product or service is what you NEED to write about. If they are worried the process to install is much longer than other of your competitors’ then explain that it’s because it will last them a lot longer, if it’s more expensive then show them PROOF as to why it’s worth it, etc. In other words, understand where your customers are coming from. Once you understand their frustrations and worries, your content will flourish.
2. Coworkers, Friends, Family
The tricky part when it comes to content is that everyone is different. Questions that your coworkers have may not be the same as the ones your friends or family have. But this gives you, even more, to write about!
If your friends, family or coworkers are confused about your business, then it’s a sign that you need to explain it more clearly.
Try to find a loophole between the different questions and interests that people you are surrounded by having, and find a connection to target more interests and questions. As long as they are relevant to your primary target audience, then it will serve you well in the long-term.
Ask your family or friends directly what would be the determining factor in buying your service or product and see what their answers are. They will bring up many questions you didn’t even know they had about your business. The great thing is that your friends and family will be the most honest about their concerns. Once you have these concerns defined, make sure your content is reflecting on the reasons as to why these concerns are understandable, but always provide a solution throughout your writing.
3. Competitors
No, no, I don’t mean copy your competitors or imitate them. A competitive analysis is always crucial, no matter what business you’re running. By knowing your competitors, you can truly know what your competitive advantages are. Of course, you don’t want to be identical to your competitors. So go ahead, and analyze their content. Think like your audience. See what’s missing in their content and make sure you touch upon those things.
When you write your own content, you can specifically explain ad outline why your business is different than others. What is your unique selling proposition that others in your industry may not have? Why should people spend their money on your business instead of your competitors?
4. LinkedIn
When it comes to content-driven social media platforms, LinkedIn is definitely a star. It is mostly focused on businesses and sharing captivating articles. Articles on LinkedIn are the most popular and get tons of likes and comments. Usually, people sharing these articles are ones that read a lot of content online. These are the people you want to include to your target audience!
If you are struggling with content, go to LinkedIn and follow the hashtag groups. These can be #smallbusiness, #entrepreneurship, #customerservice, whatever it is you will find great content here. This is not to copy, but to inspire you and see what headlines make the best impression on people, and which ones get the most reposts.
5. Google Trends- ThinkWithGoogle
If you aren’t subscribed to ThinkWithGoogle yet, you need to right now! They will send you data-driven trends and show you exactly what you want to know. Google itself gives you insights into what people are searching the most at the moment, and where the curiosity is. Their trends and insights are very in-depth, and they do a great job at touching upon all aspects.
The value proposition that Google gives you is that they know what people are searching every day. They have data that gives you a great idea into what your readers want to read. They put this data all together into concise presentations for marketers and give you many tools to help your business. I highly recommend reading their findings!
Start putting yourself in your audience’s shoes, do the research, and start writing!
Writing good content fast doesn’t have to be so complicated. Many times people think they have to write the most amazing and polished articles in the world. The truth is that people care about what you’re writing and how valuable your insights are. Are you helping them? Are you giving them a solution to a problem? Readers aren’t looking for fancy words, they are looking for answers, and how to solve issues.
