01. Brainstorm blog topics

When writing a blog post, whether you’re guest posting for someone else or writing for your own blog, you’ll want to cover topics that bring value to your readers and fall in line with their interests, as well as your own. Start by jotting down topics that excite you or align with your goals. “Think about the questions your audience might be asking or blog niche ideas,” says Sharon. For example, if you’re writing a food blog, take note of seasonal recipes or cooking techniques people are searching for. This step is all about unleashing your creativity without judgment. The more ideas, the better.

There are several places you can look to spark new topic ideas:

• Browse other blogs within your niche with competitor analysis. If you’re starting a food blog, for example, simply Google “food blog” to see what your competitors are writing about.
• Use AI, like an AI website builder or AI writing tools, at your disposal to generate topic ideas.
• Use Google Trends to find out which topics are trending.
• Look for current events and recent news stories related to your field.
• Find out what people enjoy learning about by browsing online courses on Udemy, Skillshare and LinkedIn Learning.

Once you find some interesting ideas online, think about the unique ways you can approach those topics. Consider the various ways you can play around with topic ideas to come up with something that isn’t only trendy and relevant, but that’s also original and fresh. You’ll also need to consider making sure your blog post is up to date and this will mean including relevant data and statistics related to the topic.

Let’s say, for instance, that you want to write about chocolate chip cookies. There are a few different angles you might consider taking here based on your target audience and potential for website traffic:

• A how-to post that instructs readers how to do something with clearly ordered steps (e.g., “How to Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies from Scratch”).
• A curated list that offers a set of recommendations for your readers (e.g., “The Top Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes”).
• A tips and advice post that provides expert guidance and resources. (e.g., “Tips for Making Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies Extra Gooey”).
• A definition-based blog post that helps explain the meaning of a term or topic (e.g., “What Are No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies?”).
• A top trends article that highlights what’s currently popular (e.g., “The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes From This Year”).
• A personal or business update that lets you unveil something fresh or recently unknown (e.g., “My New Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Revealed”).

Sharon also recommends keeping a running list of potential blog topics in a place you can easily access, like a notebook or a digital note app. “When inspiration strikes, capture it!” she emphasizes. This habit will come in handy when you’re ready to write your next post and need a spark to get started.

Get brainstorming with these best blog ideas.