Friday, October 10, 2014

How To Find Good Content Ideas In 5 Seconds

You've probably been told that you need to blog and post to your social media pages more often. (If you're a friend or colleague of mine, then you've definitely been told this at least once; hopefully I shut up for a little while after that one time and let you get back to your drink).

One thing I hear as an excuse not to post is that a person doesn't have any ideas. They have writer's block, or they don't know where to get a new idea.

Writer's Block Doesn't Exist

First, writer's block doesn't exist. If you have nothing to write about, it's because you haven't done your homework in a while. Screenwriting teacher Robert McKee says that "writer's block" is cured by a quick trip to the library. Solid point, but no need for that. Just flip on your computer and your writer's block shall be cured (unless your "writer's block" is just laziness in costume, in which case no one can help you).

Do Some Homework

Here's how to get a blog post or update onto your pages today. Let's say you're a palaeontologist and you need something to blog or comment upon. Here's the steps:
  • Go to Google
  • Search for something in your field. Like "dinosaur bones"
  • Click on the News tab at the top of the screen
  • Look at the fresh stories in your field
  • Pick one that interests you
  • Write about it. Agree, disagree, whichever. But reference the story and write about it, whether it be a lengthy blog post, or a quick comment on your social pages. Just make sure you reference the piece and provide the link.

Show Your Followers You've Got Game

Done. You learned something in your field today, showed your followers that your head is in the game, and you've sharpened your writing and social media skills. Keep going.