Ever feel like you’re just talking to yourself online? You put a lot of effort into a blog post or video, hit publish, and… radio silence. It’s a bit of a bummer, right? The key to making content that people actually care about is figuring out what they’re keen on. It’s not about guessing games; it’s about looking into what topics will really grab their attention.
Why Bother Finding the Right Content Ideas?
Think about it this way: your audience has stuff they need help with, questions buzzing in their heads, and things they’re just plain interested in. If your content speaks right to those things, you’re way more likely to get them hooked and build a solid group of followers. Content that hits the spot can mean more people checking out your stuff, more visitors to your site, and better results for whatever you’re doing. It’s all about making a real connection and giving them something useful.
Your Audience is Chatting – Are You Listening?
One of the easiest ways to figure out what your audience is keen on is to just ask them. Seriously! Apps like Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (you know, the bird app) have poll features that make getting feedback straight from the horse’s mouth super simple. Hired Remoteli, for example, used LinkedIn polls to get ideas for their podcast. Getting insights straight from your audience is like striking gold.
But it’s not just about polls. Pay attention to where people are chatting. Look through the comments on your blog and on other sites in your area. What are people asking about? What are they arguing over? Those comments are full of clues about what’s bothering people or what gets them talking. LowFruits even mentioned how a comment from a reader sparked an idea for a whole blog post.
And don’t forget about reviews from users. Whether it’s about your products, your services, or even similar things in your field, reviews often point out common problems or things people wish they had. Talking about these in your content shows you’re paying attention and gives people helpful answers.
Jump into the Online Chat
Apart from getting feedback directly, there’s heaps of info online if you know where to poke around. Social media is buzzing with people talking. Join groups and forums that are relevant to what you do, like the ones on Reddit and Quora, and see what topics are popping up and what questions people are asking. Buffer suggests keeping an eye on comments and direct messages on social media as a way to find content ideas.
Following people who are well-known in your field is another smart move. What are they talking about? What content are they sharing that seems to be popular? This can give you an idea of what’s hitting home with people in your niche right now.
Use Search Info and Handy Tools
Search engines are basically big lists of what people are looking for. Doing keyword research is a must for understanding what your audience is trying to find. Tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, and LowFruits can help you find the exact words and phrases your audience types into search bars. Looking at longer keyword phrases, which are more specific, can help you bring in people who are really interested in what you offer.
Don’t forget about Google itself. Google Autocomplete gives you suggestions as you start typing, showing you popular searches that are related. And the “People also search for” section at the bottom of the search results page is great for finding related topics and questions. Backlinko also points out that Google Image Tags can be useful for finding related ideas.
Seeing what’s already doing well in search results can also give you ideas. Check out the search results page for the keywords you’re thinking about. What kind of content is showing up at the top? Are there angles you haven’t thought of? LowFruits suggests looking at how your existing content is ranking to improve your plan. You can even use tools to see what keywords your competitors are ranking for to find popular topics they’re covering.
Get a Bit Creative with Your Searching
Sometimes, you need to think a little differently. Brainstorming content ideas with your team using methods like just writing down whatever comes to mind or drawing idea maps can help you come up with fresh angles you might not have thought of otherwise.
Jumping on trending news stories can also be a way to find topics that are getting a lot of attention. Backlinko shared how SparkToro used a tweet from Elon Musk to create a popular blog post. Just make sure the trend fits with what you’re all about!
Talking to people who know a lot about your industry can give you new ideas and help you find specific topics. These experts often have a good grasp of what your audience is struggling with and what they’re interested in.
Even looking at where your competitors are spending their money on ads can be helpful. The Meta Ad Library lets you see the ads your competitors are running, which can give you a clue about the topics and types of content they think are working well.
Don’t Forget to Reuse Your Good Stuff
Once you have some great content, you can make it go further by using your existing content in different ways. Turn a blog post into a video, an infographic, or a bunch of social media posts. This helps you reach more people on different platforms without having to start from scratch every time. HubSpot mentions that reusing content helps it last longer and reach more people.
Keeping Up with Your Area
To keep coming up with good ideas, you need to stay in the loop about what’s happening in your field. Looking into topics in your niche means reading industry magazines, going to online talks or events, and following people who are seen as leaders. Setting up Google Alerts for keywords related to your area can help you stay updated on the latest news. Listening to podcasts that are relevant is another excellent way to learn from experts and find out what topics people in your community are chatting about.
Putting It All Together
Finding content ideas your audience actually wants is something you’ll keep doing. It’s about listening closely, looking things up, using the info you get from search and social media, and getting a bit creative with how you search for ideas. By always keeping your audience in mind, you can create content that not only shows up well in searches but also truly connects with people and gives them something useful. So, start listening, start looking, and start making content your audience will be stoked about!