One of your New Year’s resolutions is to be a better blogger. You want to blog more often, blog more consistently, and out put more thoughtful content. So in January, you were amazing. You posted five times a week, and your readers couldn’t get enough of your interesting and engaging content. But now it’s February…and you’re all out of ideas! You just had your best month of blogging ever, but how are you supposed to come up with amazing content in February…and for the rest of 2015?

Every blogger experiences a slump now and then. It’s hard to get inspired when you’re fresh out of ideas and really need to publish a post. So today I’m sharing my methods for coming up with blog post ideas. These aren’t random suggestions–these are the things I do when I can’t think of anything to write about.

How to Come Up with Blog Post Ideas

Make a List //

When I can’t think of anything to write, I just put my pen to paper and jot down whatever comes to mind. Even if it doesn’t make sense. Even if it’s unrelated to my blog. I just get the words down. It’s the simplest form of brainstorming–you’re throwing spaghetti on the wall and seeing what sticks. Sometimes a word sparks instant inspiration, but I mostly use this method to get my brain warmed up and ready to think creatively.

Check Your Calendar //

Sometimes your next idea is right on your calendar. When I can’t think of a blog post, I pull up my monthly calendar on my phone and see what I have planned. Do I have an upcoming trip? Then that’s the perfect time to write a “Here’s What to Pack for (insert destination here)” post, or “Ten Things I Can’t Wait to Do in (insert destination here)” post. Be sure to look at holidays, too. This month you can write several posts about Valentine’s Day or create a special Black History Month series. Leading into March, I already know I’m going to write about my 30th birthday and this blog’s sixth anniversary! April is a great time to talk about new Spring style. And in May you can write a bout wine. Yes, May is National Wine Month. There are lots of National “This Thing” Days and Months throughout the year that you can write about, and the 2015 Blog Action Planner (which I introduced to you all earlier this year) does all the hard work for you by listing some of the best ones. You don’t even need a calendar if you have the BAP (you can get it here).

Read Your Blog //

No, seriously. Read your own blog for inspiration! What were you blogging about one or two years ago? Can you update that content? Or can you create something related to an old post and link back to it? Some of my most in-a-pinch ideas have come from simply reading my own blog. The most popular posts on The Feisty House are my ABCs of Natural Hair posts, which are actually updates to the very first series I did on the blog back in 2009! I know a lot of bloggers feel tempted to read other blogs when they don’t know what to write, but all I’m saying is, don’t be afraid to actually inspire yourself!

Ask Somebody //

The blog posts that tend to do best (i.e. have the most engagement from readers and get the most shares on social media) are (1) lists and (2) blogs that solve a problem. I get great ideas for blog posts when I’m talking to friends and hear that they can’t find a good concealer, or they don’t know what to do with their hair for the office party, or they have no idea how to pair their new shoes with anything else in their closet. I just turn my answer into a blog post. I get ideas for a lot of my beauty posts (like this one on nude lipstick for dark lips) from talking to friends or answering questions that readers have posed in emails to me or comments on The Feisty House.

Spend 20 Minutes on Pinterest //

Pinterest is an excellent place to find all kinds of inspiration. The trick is to give yourself a time limit. When I need inspiration for a blog post, I spend 20 minutes or less on Pinterest (I set a timer on my phone) and see what I can come up with. Otherwise, I get lost in an endless stream of beautiful photos, and two hours later…still don’t have a blog post! You can also create a special Pinterest board (it can be secret!) where you pin the things you think may inspire a blog post one day. Then you just have one board to visit when you’re stuck, and you’re less likely to get distracted by your feed.

Do Something Else //

I get some of my best blogging ideas when I’m not thinking about my blog. You wouldn’t believe how many of my blog posts were born on the subway heading home (the answer is MOST of them), or out on my lunch break, or while doing dishes! Sometimes you need to relax your brain and give it a chance to come up with a good idea in its own time. So step away from the laptop, and go for a walk! Read a good book, or call up a loved one on the phone. Take a shower or a nap. When you’re not trying to force a good idea out of your mind, it’s amazing what you can come up with. Just be sure to have a notebook handy so that you can quickly jot down your brilliant blog idea when it comes to you!

I hope this post was helpful! If you have other methods for coming up with blog post ideas, please share them in the comments! I love learning new blogging hacks!

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I launched The Feisty House in 2009, and I’ve learned a thing or two about blogging since then! I share lots of tips here on the blog as part of my BLOG TALK series. But if you’ve read through my posts and still want some more help getting your blog started, let me know! I absolutely LOVE helping a new blogger find her unique voice and create a space that reflects who she is and helps her connect with other like-minded individuals. If you’re a blogging newbie, I can help you figure out everything from branding and finding your niche, to how to use social media to engage your new followers (and grow your readership!) to choosing a platform and learning how to create a beautiful blog on your own! Send me an email, and let’s work on launching your amazing new blog!

Photo Source // Heather Talbert via Sequins & Stripes

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