5 Ways To Create Wicked Content For Your Blog…
“I don’t know how you do it, man,” a friend was saying, “I couldn’t keep your content schedule!” I’m sitting here with my cup of coffee (one cream, one sugar) and thinking: some days I don’t know how I do it either.
But you know, setting aside time to write every day has it’s perks. You’ll be a better writer and a faster one. You’ll build your list pretty fast. Plus, you’ll meet a lot of people you never thought you would. But what do you write about?
If you’re wondering what to post on your blog or sites like BetterNetworker.com here’s how I come up with fresh ideas every single day.
I’ll let you in on my first secret.
I DON’T come up with ideas EVERY single day. You see, I write about six to ten articles a week and spend countless hours each day answering comments on old articles. Not to mention the hundreds of other tasks that pop-up randomly every day. So I don’t have time to waste an hour a day coming up with ideas. I do that part on Monday.
I set a timer for about 30 minutes.
It’s a trick I picked up from an old-school copywriter. You promise yourself that you’ll have all the ideas for the week ahead in that 30 minutes. The clock helps you get started. The idea is that you can do anything you want, even stare at your screen, as long as it’s related to coming up with ideas. At the end of the 30 minutes you take a break.
Rarely, if I need more ideas, I set the timer again.
Where To Look For Ideas…
(Or 5 Ways To Find Wicked Content Ideas For Your Blog…)
Be A fly on the wall…
Forums: I love the Better Networker Forums; I’m sure you do to. If I’m ever stuck for ideas it’s the first place I go. I check out the popular posts. I ask myself, “How can I improve this?” then I get busy writing.
“Your article sucks!”
Comments: I read every comment that gets posted on this blog. Your comments. Sometimes a reader will leave a suggestion or two. Sometimes they’ll have a vexing problem that I have the answer to. These end up being some of the most popular articles I write. Thank you.
I’m all ears…
Talking: I talk to a surprising amount of people about their lives. No, that’s not right, I listen. I like to hear about their problems in network marketing. What makes them tick, and what they would like help with. This helps me get a better feel for the type of advice or content they’re looking for.
Slogging Blogs…
Blogs: Another hunting ground of mine is my reader’s blogs. I don’t know about you, but I love seeing the new and original ideas people are coming up with every day. It’s really inspiring. So whenever I get a chance I read a few blog posts. Sometimes I even leave a comment. It depends how busy I am.
“Stealing” Mojo…
Leaders: I’m a big reader, so a large part of my time is spent reading articles by leaders in our industry. I think I read more articles than anyone I know.
Gosh, sometimes I come across a sweet idea I can’t use right away so I write it down anyways. I have piles of files with ideas just sitting on my laptop.
Here’s a few article ideas right now:
• Write a Q&A or F.A.Q.
• Write a pop quiz
• Write a review
• Expand a forum post
• Reply to a comment
• Answer an e-mail
• Write a “Best Of” post
• Write a “Top 10″ post
• Share resources
• Tell a personal story
• Reply to someone else’s post
• Interview an expert
And so on.
You’ll find that each idea is tied to another. It’s like a magician pulling a rainbow of silk handkerchiefs out of his hat. He keeps magically pulling them out and out and out, there’s no end in sight.
Where Do YOU Get Your Ideas?
Maybe you walk on a beach, hike a trail, or keep a journal. Some of my best ideas come to me on long walks while I’m listening to my ipod… which by the way… got fried months ago when some slime-ball sped through a puddle and drowned me, but that’s another story.
See you soon,
Jason The “Better Networker”
The Jason Better Blog
P.S. Hey, did you notice that spiffy blue Facebook Share button? If you like this post and would like to help your friends then click that little blue widget at the top of this post. It’s definitely appreciated. Thank you.
28 Comments
Adam Goldman on January 5th, 2010
Haha great post J’!
set a timer huh? That’s interesting.
Luckily for me I alwayz have an idea
or two floating around my head 
I guess I don’t have any secret or special
system/method.
I think the most easy way to get ideas
is to embrace the mindset of a blogger.
That means you are always on the lookout
for fresh content for your readers.
It can be on the net or in real life.
One tip I think I can give, is to try
and remember where you struggled in the
beginning, and just write about that.
Or you can ask you downlines where do
they need help the most.
Hope that helped
Keep rocking !
Adam
P.S.
I take my coffe with 2 sugar
[Reply]
January 5th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Hey Adam!
Gosh, your comment went into my spam
folder. Maybe it was all the “smilies” Akismet
can get a little moody from time to time. lol
I think that’s a wicked idea too. Ask your downline
what their problem is… in a good way.
You know, I wrote an article about this once, but some
of the better posts I write are built around the big problems
in the market.
Find a problem, fix it.
[Reply]
Dwayne Huggins on January 5th, 2010
Hi J
In the beginning, before I had my year two year & five year plan. I would of been one of those guys asking you “how you come with ideas for quality post so often?”
What I have found is because I know when I will be writing my next post or article the ideas are always flowing. I know exactly what my next 5 posts will be about, also my next 5 articles.
As I am eager to learn all there is to learn, I also read a lot, and it is so true, there are so many ideas which can be gained from forums, blogs, articles etc.
I think the key thing is to focus your mind on what needs to be done. The rest will follow and the more you do it the easier it becomes.
Dwayne
[Reply]
Jason on January 5th, 2010
Good Day Dwayne,
You know, some days I feel the same way. So many ideas… not enough time to pursue them all!
[Reply]
Mitchell Dillman on January 5th, 2010
Right on Jason!
Great tips for generating content…
I like the listening comment. Take the cotton out of your ears and stick it in your mouth. 
Your article ideas are absolutely on target. I just spun up a quick personal story and interwove it within an article about YouTube, go check it out over at BN. (In The Tube: Surfing with the pros)
Thanks buddy, we’re now putting out no less than 3 articles a day. This is based on inside information received from Michael Force’s articles on BN.
This is a blast, I’m loving it!
Mitchell Dillman
[Reply]
January 5th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Whoa there Mitchell…
I hope you have clean ears. lol.
Actually, I did check out your article about
youtube already too. I put it on my list of reading
tonight… I have a sixth sense for value.
Michael Force is rocking it up lately too. I love his
latest content on BN. Way cool of him.
[Reply]
Tommy D on January 5th, 2010
Hi Jason,
Happy New Year! Another piece of gold, really enjoyed the article. When I decided to ditch the “Mr.Opportunity” (the guy that has to tell everyone about the best company,lol) character and become a real network marketer, I’ve been saying all of the same that was written. I am so overwhelmed with excellent information. I am always jumping from social media, to SEO, and then resort back to my MS manual. I have so much knowledge, yet have a problem expressing it.
I have a full time job right now with Network Marketing part-time and what helped me settle down was a Blackberry and Netbook to take with me. I am able to use these unique tools to read up and write on the bus. Thanks again!
-Tommy D.
[Reply]
January 5th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Hey Tommy!
A Happy New Year to you too.
I love how you put that…
“I decided to ditch the “Mr.Opportunity” act and become
a real network marketer.
Reminds me of Pinochio. lol.
I have to commend you on taking the wise route
and keeping your day job too. Too many people
think they have to quit everything to succeed.
There’s more than one path to freedom.
[Reply]
Jerome Ratliff on January 5th, 2010
I like how you look for ideas – unique.
Sometimes when I can’t figure out what to write about I just write. If it doesn’t make sense, it doesn’t matter.
Before I know it, it comes to me. Then I’m finally able to write. It works all the time.
Jerome Ratliff
[Reply]
January 5th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Evening Jerome,
I like it. A wise man once
said: “Motion beats meditation.”
[Reply]
Kissie on January 5th, 2010
Jason, I always get something from you. Whenever I visit your site, it’s worth my time and sharing.
Thank you.
I wish my “Blog Engage” family could see your posts.
[Reply]
January 5th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Hey Kissie,
Thank you again. You sure know
how to put a smile on my face.
[Reply]
Jarmar Dupas on January 5th, 2010
This article came right on time as I was sitting down with a million ideas running through my head… I believe that’s my biggest issue… I have too many ideas and not enough time/attention span to get it all together!
Great post!
Jarmar………
[Reply]
January 5th, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Hey Jarmar,
It seems there’s two types of people here.
Those with TOO MANY ideas and those who
suffer from TOO FEW.
I’d rather be in your shoes any day. The truth is,
some days I have loads of ideas… other times I really
need to sit down with that timer.
[Reply]
Phil Hayes on January 6th, 2010
Hi Jason
This is my 1st comment on your site & I have to say it is excellent. Great post here. I have only recently started writing blog posts & articles etc. myself, so am always on the look out for “inspiration”.
I have to say I have this site bookmarked & expect to use it for inspiration from time to time. There are so many blogs out there on network marketing…so I make it my business to have a look at some regularly. Can’t say I do that every day but would look at an average of 6 or 7 per week.
Some I just close down & that’s the end of that and some are really good while some are excellent…like this one What I do is bookmark any that I think I would like to come back to. These are the ones I use for inspiration & ideas.
When I have found a topic I want to write on I will read it slowly & thoroughly 5 or 6 times. Then I’ll go and start to rewrite it completely in my own words. During that process I almost always find that I come up with quite a number of my own thoughts from my own knowledge, understanding & experience in that topic. Those thoughts get added into the new article…sometimes even departing from the initial “rewriting” process and creating a post that is much more than a rewrite.
So the original blog post really is a “springboard” for me to get started.
I will…but haven’t got around to it just yet, do the same with articles at various article directories. Really the possibilities are endless. There is more than you could ever use.
I hadn’t even thought of forums…so thanks for that one Jason. Great idea. Now I’ll just try & schedule in an hour or 2 for sleeping
Thanks for a great site
(Oops…bit like by articles…too long
Phil Hayes
[Reply]
January 6th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Hey Phil,
You know, so few people actually take the
time to research before they write. I admire that.
It’s a habit that sets you apart.
We try to discourage open linking here because it
usually gets picked up by our spam filter. So I hope you
don’t mind… but I had to edit out your link.
I hear you on the rewriting process Phil. I mean, sometimes
I can barely recognize one of my articles after rewriting it. lol.
As for forums… Gosh, If there’s a better place to find ideas,
then I haven’t found it.
After all, articles are usually solutions to problems… and you’ll find
plenty in the forums.
[Reply]
Osman Quddus on January 6th, 2010
Hey Jason,
Awesome article, as usual.
This is the first time I am commenting, but I have been reading your stuff for some time.
I thought it might be a good idea to to express my gratitude for the benefit I have been receiving from your posts.
Thanks again, keep it up!
Osman Quddus
[Reply]
January 6th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Hey Osman,
I appreciate it. I know there’s a lot of
people reading who haven’t participated yet.
Thanks man.
[Reply]
Peter Holland on January 7th, 2010
Hi Jason, I find your views & content refreshing, challenging and always worth spending a little time absorbing. Do you ever get over to the UK?
[Reply]
January 7th, 2010 at 9:27 am
Morning Peter Holland,
You know, I wish I did. I have a friend
who has family there… they had such
wonderful accents. Incredibly nice people
too.
She used to bake these little puddings in
a muffin dish… gosh… I forget what they
were called… but they were delightful.
[Reply]
Phil Hayes on January 7th, 2010
Oops Jason…sorry about the link. Being 1st time commenting & pretty new to internet marketing, posting & commenting etc. on blogs I didn’t realize that. No prob at all.
I’ll now go running to the forums..thanks
Phil h
[Reply]
Marc on January 11th, 2010
Thanks Jason you have given me some real good ideas. Did a blog post on my top 10 Twitter tools. It got great response. I also think your blog is the best place to come and get great ideas.
Have a great day Jason.
Marc
[Reply]
January 12th, 2010 at 11:00 am
Hey Marc,
Sorry it tool so long to get back to you. I
must have missed your comment somehow. 
Twitter seems to be the most popular topic here too.
I think we’re all excited by the possibility it represents.
Thank you.
[Reply]
Susanna on January 14th, 2010
This post was perfect. I’m fairly new to blogging, so coming up with idea’s isn’t always easy.
Thanks for sharing some great tips! I like the timer idea. I find that I can write, even with distractions, but I can’t come up with the idea’s unless it’s peaceful. I’ll make it a habit to do this timer idea after the kids are in bed!
Thank You!
[Reply]
January 14th, 2010 at 8:35 am
Susanna,
Oh my, I have timers everywhere.
Two on my desk. One on my laptop.
Time is a valuable thing, and a deadline
is the best way to keep it.
Thank you too.
[Reply]
Colin on January 25th, 2010
This is a fantastic article because it really speaks about something I am struggling with.
For one, getting in the habit or writing on a regular basis and writing articles that I think would really interest my audience.
I really appreciate your tips and I like your time structure for working on blogs as part of your day.
I also am really intrigued with all your fantastic artwork that relates so well to your blogs. Where do you get your artwork from? How much time do you spend creating/finding this stuff?
That is what I spend the most amount of time on sometimes.
[Reply]
Haha great post J’!
set a timer huh? That’s interesting.
Luckily for me I alwayz have an idea
or two floating around my head
I guess I don’t have any secret or special
system/method.
I think the most easy way to get ideas
is to embrace the mindset of a blogger.
That means you are always on the lookout
for fresh content for your readers.
It can be on the net or in real life.
One tip I think I can give, is to try
and remember where you struggled in the
beginning, and just write about that.
Or you can ask you downlines where do
they need help the most.
Hope that helped
Keep rocking !
Adam
[Reply]