An inspirational guest post today!
Blogging is very much like beginning any new hobby. Whether it’s learning to play an instrument, writing a novel, or any other creative endeavor, there is a “beginner’s luck” phase, in which you only see clear skies and smooth sailing. You have tons of ideas for your blog, and they all come out flowing. Then, after a few weeks or months, the flow slows to trickle. Writing anything seems infinitely hard, let alone writing full-length content consistently. Then you get discouraged, and you may feel like throwing in the towel. What most bloggers at this stage need is inspiration. Here are a few common and exciting places to turn to.
1. Read a controversial book or essay and write about it.
In an age in which reading blogs and Facebook status updates is the only form of reading done, picking up a book and writing about it is a good way to distinguish yourself. Of course, you probably aren’t a book reviewer, so it won’t do to pick up any old fiction bestseller. Find a book or lengthy essay that is related to your niche. The more controversial, the better. Then write a response to it, in which you lay out your thoughts and opinions.
2. Go out and experience something unusual, then blog about it.
Sometimes inspiration is right around the corner. And sometimes it’s in another country. If you’ve run out of material for your blog, chances are that you need a vacation. And a vacation doesn’t necessary mean an overseas one. Visit something local that you’ve never seen before, or go on a road trip with friends. You are bound to find something unusual that can inspire a blog article.
3. Ask your friends and family for ideas
Your closest friends and family probably know how your mind works better than anyone else does. Approach loved ones who are at least marginally acquainted with your blog, and pick their brains for ideas. Cast your nets wide, and discuss with those friends of yours who suggested the best ideas. Using this collaborative strategy is one of the best ways to renew interest and get inspired about your blog all over again.
4. Read a bunch of other blogs in your niche, and see what other people are talking about.
At this point, you probably do read a few blogs, but try reading a bit more. Use a spreadsheet to tally the most popular topics and the topics that are just starting to gain ground. Of course, copying is not a good source of inspiration, but it is good to take a popular idea and write about it better than anybody else. Do more research and try to see if you can find the “next big thing.” Trying to keep up with what is popular in the blogosphere is a fun game of cat-and-mouse, especially considering that what’s popular changes so quickly on the Internet.
Of course, only you know yourself very well, and you know what, precisely inspires you. These sources are simply designed to get the ball rolling again. If you feel frustrated, know that losing motivation to blog is completely normal. At some point, you’ll start back up again, after actively seeking inspiration. Good luck!
This guest post is contributed by Patricia Garza, who writes about gadget, technology, design, social media, e-learning related articles at online university rankings.
I am a business professional
with an entrepreneurial spirit. Although I have an MBA and managed websites and IT departments
for several Fortune 500 companies ... 
Current events can be great sources of inspiration for your blog as well. Just make sure that you tie the newsworthy item into your niche and you’re all set!
Kristi Hines’s last post…Measuring Social Media ROI and Goal Conversions with Google Analytics 5
Especially when starting out, current events are a gold mine!
This last is my favorite. I constantly run out of things to say on my science blog. One more method that I thought would work for me was to subscribe to lots of science journals and let them spark my imagination.
Jacqui’s last post…47 Must Read Books That Explain Human Evolution
It never hurts to stick within a niche.
Thank you for the tips! It’s tremendous help and support especially to a new blogger like myself
Jo’s last post…Growth in Incandescent Grow Lights
I’m always looking for inspiration – I guess the main theme here is “get away from the computer” for a while – do something else. It works for me every time. I like #2 the best – go experience something else.
Susan’s last post…3 Popular Types of Bridal Bouquets
thanks for your article. my thinking too. I often write blog and always looking for inspiration, ask my friend for ideas, go to travel went tired, read other blog, news, magazine, newspaper and watch tv. That very well for me and my blog. Thanks again.
Such tremendous help and support to a newbies.Thanks so much for your sharing
Suteki’s last post…Healthy Bones – What To Eat
I particularly like the idea of going out and experiencing something unusual, I would never have thought of it. I tend to make notes in my trusty notebook, it’s amazing how many ideas I would forget unless I do this. I usually end up with at least one good thing to blog about.
Barbara Patterson’s last post…Frigidaire 50 Pint Portable Dehumidifier
I like points 1 and 4 – and i do use them sometimes. Reading other blogs can give you ideas for your own posts, but what i do most often is to take a break and simply enjoy life.
Great! this post got a big point, thank you so mush for sharing your knowledge with us, for sure they people have many ideas in this kind of tips…
Honney Limmet’s last post…angry bird pc
Nice post!when i read this it inspire me i get some ideas here which help me to finish my work,i am really glad that i found this post.thanks!
Ruchelle’s last post…angry birds cake
thank you so much for this! i badly need this tips as usually ran out of ideas when it comes to writing especially when am not in the mood.. i think that number 4 would be the best thing to consider because sometimes i get my inspiration from others’ experiences
marie’s last post…download for angry birds
Great post! I personally like the idea that someone is writing about something and then someone else is writing about the same issue but from another point of view so in the end you get a healthy plural picture about a subject. The beauty of the net
Ravit’s last post…My little room design experience
I agree this post help some people for their work, even me this big help for my work, i have another idea again, thanks for sharing your with us….
Danissan Ramos’s last post…play angry birds on android
I usually look for inspiration and ideas from blogs like your blog, very inspiring and gave fresh ideas
thanks for the tips
Rina As’s last post…Ada Apa Dengan Google Pagerank
I particularly like the second one! Going out means interaction, be it with people, nature or even the local surroundings and all these definitely make for a great source of inspiration!
Arti’s last post…Exploring Joshimath in Uttarakhand – The Winter Home of Lord Badri Vishal
This is great, sometimes when i work i badly out of ideas until i found this post it’s giving some tips that i could imagine i found this.thanks for that!
Jackilyn’s last post…angry birds cake
Great tips.Helpful.
The best advice i can offer someone who has run out of things to blog about is to think of something controversial. The more controversial, the more traffic and comments you will get.
Controversy sells. If the topic is boring, no1 will care to read it.
Great, sometimes when i am very stress to my work i lost any idea i don’t know what to say,so what i do is just take a 30 minutes nap then back to my work and drink water.it works for me.
Bebellin Mae’s last post…angry birds board
When I was a blogger, and spent most of my thinking time trying to come up with a good topic, yet continued to have writer’s block, I would take a mental break (as counter-intuitive as it sounds). I would go participate in an activity that, for the most part, had no long-term redeeming mental or self-improvement value whatsoever: like watching TV or playing video games.
And wouldn’t you know it, as soon as I would start to really revel in that activity and enjoy it – surprise, surprise – here come a ton of ideas (that any self-made, successful person will tell you that you should act on immediately) to spoil my fun…
Sonny.
Teen Crafts’s last post…Color Your Word with the Write Utensils
Great tips!!! thanks so much! I usually watch a good movie or take a long walk to get an inspiration…
Michael’s last post…3D Animation Jobs
Like some others around here, I run more than one blog. I tend to keep my blogs segregated based on topicality. So, finding inspiration on a specific topic can be difficult. One trick that I use and you can use too is to visit some forums for whatever particular niche you happen to be needing content for. On forums, it is common for people to offer less than spectacular suggestions in response to a thread question. Some of these questions really need an entire blog post to explain them thoroughly enough.
You can use those kinds of questions and answer opportunities to inspire a thoughtful piece that really provides a benefit to your target audience.
Ted’s last post…How To Make Link Building Fun Instead Of Boring
I like your advice on “Read a controversial book or essay and write about it.”. I get stuck on writing short blog articles summarizing other blog articles I like. And I think that’s really what twitter is for.
Chris’s last post…Latest Android and iPhone adoption stats
Hola muy bueno el sitio, tiene informacion de interes para todos, felicitaciones, good.
Inspiration is always hard to find:D And I must say. Until now I like the blogs:D Really want to do this to:( Uhm yeah London is cool, but way to much people for me:O
Thanks for the tips,you help me a lot!I will recommend your blog to my friends,of course!