6 Prompts To Help Inspire Your Blogging
Blogging is a brilliant way for small businesses to develop a strong website presence and generate business. It’s cheap; it drives customers to your website; and it tells your customers more about you, your brand and your products.
For most, the difficult bit about writing a blog is deciding what to write about. We often hear people saying they don’t think what they do is interesting enough for a blog or that there’s not enough material. Not true! Most people have an abundance of interesting things to write about, they just don’t know it yet! Our hope with this blog is to arm you with the tools to figure out what they are.
So, for those of you who have already started a blog but are running out of steam; or, for those of you who think now is the time to write your first blog: get your pen and paper ready as the ideas are about to start flowing...
1. Blogs that answer a problem
Put on your customer or client’s shoes. What are the concerns they have about using your services? What are the obstacles preventing them from engaging you? Or more generally, what are the type of questions they might be typing in Google that you could help with?
An example is this blog we wrote for luxury bridal boutique, LOVE, helping inform newly-engaged brides Where To Start On Your Wedding Dress Journey. The idea was to guide them through the minefield, so they turned up at their wedding dress appointment researched, prepared and relaxed. Moreover, it tapped into the mindset of newly engaged brides who literally had no clue where to start and so positioned LOVE as a brand there to hold their hand.
So, pen and paper time…jot down the answers to the following questions for some ‘useful blog’ inspo!
What are the common questions you get asked about your services?
What are the common questions you should get asked but rarely do?
2. Blogs that teach you something
These types of blogs are a chance to show off your specialist knowledge to your customers. After all, you are an expert in your field! Never worry about giving things away, you’re just proving you know your stuff and for the most part, potential clients will digest your tips but know their limits and come to you for the expertise.
Think about…
What could you teach your customers, step by step? An example is one we wrote for Didsbury florist, The Flower Lounge, TLC For Your Beautiful Bouquet; a simple guide to making the most of your blooms. Try and apply this idea to your business.
What terminology is used in your industry that you could de-mystify?
Or how about myth vs. fact, shedding light on common misconceptions in your area of expertise?
3. Blogs that are timely and relevant
This type of blog attracts readers by writing about popular issues, themes or trends that are capturing your client’s attention. The idea is to capitalise on this with your own take. With lockdown high on everyone’s agenda, we felt ideas for Home Schooling with Chocolate would be ideal for the family audience of Chocolate Collective.
Could you share the highlights or key learnings from a recent (pre-lockdown) event you went to or webinar training you took part in?
Are seasons or occasions relevant to your business? And if not obviously so, how could you make them relevant? Have a look at our Queen Bee Valentine’s blog for some inspiration.
Or perhaps share a documented debate between two people in your industry and give your perspective?
Take a look a National Awareness Days, there’s bound to be one out there that suits your business or is relevant to your ideal customer and could inspire a blog, allowing you to promote it, ride the hashtag and widen your reach in promoting it.
4. Blogs that sell your services
This type of blog explains either new or existing services you offer, in as much detail as you want. It’s important to mention that over-doing this kind of blog can very quickly switch off your readers, so your priority should always be about providing valuable content, so they keep coming back for more. But, it’s your website, your platform, so every so often, blow your own trumpet!
Inspiration could come from moments where you may have been in the news, such as winning an award (thank you very much 😉) or speaking or performing at an event, such as this blog we wrote for children’s choir, Little Belter’s about singing at Manchester Marathon.
What work are you particularly proud of? Are there case studies you can share?
Have you launched something new, innovative or simply have a new way of working? Tell us about it!
5. Blogs that provide a round-up
This is another type of blog that capitalises on your specialist knowledge. As an expert in your area, you will have come across a lot of information, suppliers or resources that could be of interest to your customers. A great way to share this information and build on your rapport and sense of engagement with your audience is to blog about it.
Are there books, podcasts, websites, apps, influencers, blogs that you’d recommend? Compile a list!
Or how about your top 5 tips?
Or top 5 best examples of your work?
Highlights from the last year? The last month? Or even during lockdown?
6. Blogs that are just a bit of fun
Nothing humanises a business and encourages customers to engage and relate with a business more than going behind the scenes. Readers love to see the people behind the products and understand the origin of a business – it helps to give readers an insight into you/your business’ personality.
Do you have a funny story to share, perhaps finishing with an anecdote?
Or how about starting a challenge? We challenged our blog readers to join us in taking on 5 Tasks to Complete Before Christmas and we were thrilled with how many people engaged with this.
What about the outtakes from a recent shoot?
Or a profile about you and your team, with likes, dislikes and desert island discs!
Hopefully this list has given you plenty of food for thought and you have enough blog ideas to unlock the writer’s block 😉
We’re here too; whether the thought of writing a blog sends you into mild panic, or you simply need a sounding board or collaborator to help with ideas. Just give us a buzz.