Where Do You Find Inspiration for Blog Posts?
Today I would like to start a discussion about finding inspiration for blog posts. I think every blogger had a problem when he doesn’t have topic to write a post. It’s natural because when you writing posts intensive you go out from reserve and then you have difficulties to find what to write about.
By the starting discussion I would like to share my tips for finding inspiration for blog post topic like this. I’d like to hear your ways for finding inspiration for post topics. Share your experince in comments.
Forget your blog
It sounds crazy because everyone who own a blog thinking about it. Don’t check your blog stats for day or more, don’t visit your blog and try to forget it. It’s great way to clean your mind and see that world exists and without your blog. Watch TV, read a book, play game or do anything out of your blog.
Read other blogs
This is one of the best way to find inspiration for a new post topic. I like to read design blogs because my niche is design related but sometimes I read about sport, technologies and other interesting topics that aren’t related with my niche. It’s useful because you fill your minds with new information and you extend your writing range.
Get out from home
Stay away from your computer for a while. You can take a walk in a park or take a trip for example to meet your old friend. Just get out from home to breathe fresh air and feel natural forces. You’ll feel refreshed and relaxed. I promise.
Check archives and find old topic that you can renew
Check your blog archives and find topics that you can renew and write fresh content. If you haven’t big archive check other blog’s archives and you’ll find a new topic to write. Also you can check social networks like digg, designbump, designmoo archives, there are tons of undiscovered and interesting topics to write about.
Listen to your favorite music
I love to listen to my favorite music when I’m surfing Internet or reading blogs but it’s not the same to listen music by doing nothing. Just sitting, listening and dreaming that is what about I’m talking. In my case trance music is the best for thing like this.
Read meaningful quotes
It’s easy and effective. When I read meaningful quote I feel that I learnt something new, discovered the other side of ordinary things and of course feel inspired.
Jad Limcaco from Design Informer has some beautiful typography works with inspirational quotes on Design Daily 365. For more design related quotes check Quotes on Design, 80+ Inspiring Quotes about Design, Design Quotes.
Your opinion
What do you think about listed tips? Where do you find inspiration for blog post topics? I would like to hear your thoughts. Join the discussion and help others sharing your tips.
I actually find the opposite that most bloggers experience. When I don’t post constantly, I’ll have no ideas for posts meaning my short hiatus becomes longer and longer. My only tip is to think more laterally, and see more in less. Post anything too, don’t skip on a post idea cause you don’t think it’ll be “spectacular”. Post it anyway and see what happens :)
Thank you Johnny for sharing your experience. I like your idea post anything and see what happens.
@Johnny I totally agree with you, don’t stuck on a post idea.
Btw, nice post :)
Personally, most of my ideas for blog posts comes when i am away from computer. Relaxing, watching sports or doing some other stuff. Then my mind is clear from all the projects, all the problems, and ideas then starts flowing into my head ;)
And i like this one:
“Check archives and find old topic that you can renew”, thanks for the idea, i’m going to try it ;)
Hey Tomas, thanks for including my site. I really appreciate it.
Also, it’s very nice to read about how you come up with your blog posts. I also find that forgetting about my blog gives me great ideas. There are times when I’m running, exercising, reading a book, or I’m out and about that I stumble across some great blog posts, and I wasn’t even thinking about the blog. The key is to have some way to record this, such as a small notebook, so that way, you won’t forget. How many times have we had a great idea and we forgot to write it down, and when we get home, we couldn’t remember it? :)
Anyway, great article mate! Easy to read and very helpful. Keep up the great work.
I ride the bus, take a walk, pick up a newspaper or check out what is going on in the rest of the world. I like to look at history and art. These things help me find inspiration. Other than that, try out a new project, then blog about it!
Nice post. All of these are great ideas and I love implementing the first one. I find most of my inspiration from the comments on blog posts.
The points which you have pointed to find inspiration for blog post is the same as i follow. Thanks for this nice article tomas
Good article, Tomas. I would definitely agree with your ideas on finding inspiration. As Jad says, always carry a notepad with you. You never know, when inspiration strikes you and when it does, it is better to be ready.
I think the best thing to do is, to forget about your blog. The more addicted you are towards writing another article, just for the sake of it, the more frustrating it becomes. Just let you mind become free and start inventing new ideas. Stumble upon is a boon to bloggers. It has helped me a lot to learn and grow in the design community.
Thanks for the tips. I am always looking for new ways to come up with blog posts. I think the biggest help for me is to not think about it. The more I think about the blog (or design for that matter) the harder it becomes to come up with something. Inspiration always strikes when you least expect it.
I just read a very interesting post about how to get inspiration for writing, I believe that the same applies to blogging. I usually get inspired by reading other blogs, newspapers, watching TV, or just looking at whatever is happening where ever I am.
Thank you all for joining the discussion and for sharing your experience.
@Jens P. Berget please write the post link again because link in your comment doesn’t work (now I deleted it).
When i first begin to write posts i put them in my mind but then i forget.
Now there is always a small laptop with me and i write notes immediately:)
A really good way for inspiration is surfing Google images search. Sometimes you can find good pieces of web archeology there.
Sorry, what’s about my proposal for abc post? is it good idea?
I find surfing around then bookmarking in a folder for content is what works best
wow.. is a good way to find a topic.
and also a way to relax too..
coz is very relax n enjoy when listen to my favi music like life in technicolor n so on.
hehe…
Most of the time I read other blogs and if I really can’t generate ideas from reading other people’s blog, I look at what’s hot…