so, i thought i’d let y’all in on how i find blogging ideas:
1) i listen to my heart. a good portion of my posts come from what i am thinking or feeling deep inside. when revelation or epiphany hits, i take mental note. and usually write it out from there.
2) i observe and assess my life. sometimes i mentally step back from my life and take a good look at what’s going on. in so doing, i always find a notable moment or dynamic or relationship or experience.
3) i keep my eyes open for inspiration. i’ll find a useful webtool that will spark creativity (www.pixton.com, for instance), or i’ll come across a blog post that sets the wheels of my mind in motion. i intentionally take advantage of these opportunities.
4) i plan a few days ahead. there’s no way i wake up every morning and ask myself what two posts i’m going to offer the world today. my creative juices do NOT flow under pressure. (this post is an exception - i’m constructing the body of it the morning i will post.)
5) i sort through the [dozens of] drafts i have stored up. yes. i said dozens, but half of them aren’t that great. (i’ve had this idea stored up for a few months.)
6) i google “creative blog ideas”… duh. there are some great suggestions out there. (the subject of this post - how i find blogging ideas - came this way.)
how do YOU find blogging ideas?
17 responses so far ↓
Billy Chia // August 19, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I’m pretty much look at life through the eyes of a blogger. Every situation I encounter becomes a potential blog post. Obviously the majority of these end up as never-published drafts - but I find a secondary benefit in that it helps me organize my thoughts.
Blog posts need to be - short, simple and to the point. They need to communicate quickly. So when I asses every situation by trying to turn it into a blog post it helps me distill what the real point is - what the most necessary information is. It’s a great thought process even if the product never makes it onto my website.
Cindy Beall // August 19, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I find them while parenting, being a wife, reading the Word, driving a car, going through a check out line.
I find them in life.
Real life.
Every day.
Sarah Markley // August 19, 2008 at 3:58 pm
okay, never ever thought of #6. really. i do a lot of…stepping back, thinking, looking, observing. and I google just about everything (how many calories in a lychee). but never, ever #6. cool idea, mandy. =)
and two posts. you go girl. i can’t keep up with you. i’m not going to try.
edfromct // August 19, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I don’t know how far in advance you plan your post but you do a great job of making them seem fresh and spontaneous. Reading your post is like sitting down with a friend over a cup of coffee.
I get my inspiration from the online news resources I read, the blogs I read and my daily life.
I don’t plan ahead or save drafts of possible post, because for me that would make blogging too much like work. Written communications have always been a chore for me. It often takes me three or four drafts to write a post, or even write a comment on someone else’s blog, and even then I am rarely satisfied with what I wrote. I look forward to the day voice recognition software becomes more reliable and affordable.
@ngie // August 19, 2008 at 6:05 pm
These are good ones.
Life is where most of my posts come from.
I do beg, borrow and steal ideas from other people. You know what they say about creativity… it’s the art of concealing your source.
Like now, for instance, I am trying to come up with an interactive idea to do because I think it is so cool the way you, alece, totaltransformation, tam, etc. have these fun things that keep people coming back. Any ideas?
Oh, and I second ed’s thoughts about the freshness and relate-ability found here.
debra parker // August 19, 2008 at 6:55 pm
oh mandy…
i am such a slacker. i am going to get better. yes i am!
Heidi // August 19, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I’m like Cindy,
I find them in my job, my parenting, my marriage, walks on the beach, the word of God, staring at my balnk lapto for an hour
I always do it really early in the morning when I am fresh.
Heidi // August 19, 2008 at 8:18 pm
balnk lapto– After a long days work = blank laptop
Angie // August 19, 2008 at 9:00 pm
A lot of times i just consider the blog to be like a really great friend…someone i want to share deep thoughts with…but a lot of times just someone i want to share random facts with, fun stories, or things i did that day. And when that doesnt work…then i check out other ppl’s blogs..like yours..for great ideas.
LSOF // August 19, 2008 at 9:45 pm
For me…most of the time its anyway God chooses to speak to me…through music and movies mostly, but it has happened many times while reading the Word too…or just speaking to another person.
The important thing is, I think, is waiting to hear what is spoken to your heart to write, and not rush it, but let it come on its own….sometimes it takes a day, a week, a month..but its a good word, and it needs to say what it needs too…without our help so much…
[ going to work. hoping i don't blow away!]
Pete Wilson // August 19, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Great tips. I read. A lot. Reading news magazines, the Bible and watching my kids provide me with most of my blog inspiration.
JudiFree.com // August 19, 2008 at 11:26 pm
this is EXACTLY how I blog too! I also get alot of inspiration from reading other blogs…like yours!
Brandy // August 20, 2008 at 12:03 am
You are the most dedicated blogger I know!!!
Brandy // August 20, 2008 at 12:11 am
http://www.ihelpyoublog.com/20070316-101-great-posting-ideas-that-will-make-your-blog-sizzle
Jenni Clayville // August 20, 2008 at 12:29 am
You are WAY more put together than me. I just spout out whatever is in my head at the moment… and if there’s nothing there (which happens more than I’d like to admit), I just make crap up.
It works every time! *wink*
TheNorEaster // August 20, 2008 at 2:34 am
“how do YOU find blogging ideas?”
1. In my own small corner of the Internet, the word “blog” is a noun, not a verb.
2. That means I HAVE a “blog,” but I NEVER “blog.”
3. That means, I WRITE.
4. That means, I don’t need help with what to write; I can be the me I’ve always wanted to be. And writing helps me find my me.
5. And that means, I can DO ANYTING.
6. And, pretty much, I have.
7. …are my comments supposed to be “short”, Mandy…?
kristiapplesauce // August 20, 2008 at 5:43 am
Really? Wow…you are organized. The only time I plan ahead is when I know I am going out of town. Usually I don’t post if I don’t have anything to say. When something interesting pops up, I write about it, if not…then I don’t. Oh, scratch that…I try to stay consistent with Monday prayer…but I totally forgot this week, so I posted it today.