10 Blog Post Ideas
Wristlet - Giraffes
I thought I’d share some of my ideas from a recent post on my blog, for kick starting your blog – whether you have writers block or you want some help to spice things up a little – let me know what you think!
1. Photos – Always carry your camera
Staring at a blank page can be utterly uninspiring, however staring at a group of photographs that you have taken recently, whether from a day out, a recent craft project or just about anything (although I suggest keeping it clean!) can fill you with ideas for writing. If you are still at a loss just try to write about the images and what you were doing, thinking and feeling when you took them as if you were sharing them with a friend over a cuppa. Try and keep your camera to hand as often as possible so you always have some ammunition!
2. Updates – Look back over old posts for inspiration
Did you write a post a few weeks, months, years ago that could be revisited? Open up your post history and scroll through, you will be sure to find something that you could revisit. It is fascinating to see how time has changed us or the things around us. For example find your first shop update or craft fair post and see how nervous you were and how much you feel you have grown or moved on (or not as the case may be!). Also linking back to your own posts can help increase your search engine rankings!
3. Write posts about the bloggers on your blog rolls
Visitors that have come to your blog are likely to be interested by the same bloggers as you so why not let them know a little bit about your blogroll choices, why do you enjoy these particular blogs and how did you find them. Let the blogger in question know you have mentioned their blog – you’re readers will be intrigued by your choices and the bloggers you are writing about will be flattered by the publicity.
4. Top 10 lists
Just exactly as I’m doing here, top 10 lists, or lists of any quantity for that matter are really interesting to read as you are forced to make editorial decisions about what to include producing an informative , concise (or humerus) post that you can invite readers to add to by suggesting their own favourite, most useful, prettiest, funniest, best, worst….. etc the ideas are limitless with this type of post.
5. Interviews – Other people are fascinating!
Ask a fellow crafter or blogger if they would be interested in answering a few questions or write a post in a forum requesting candidates for your new interview slots. Limit the number of questions, probably 10 or less so it doesn’t become a chore for the interviewee or too much for the reader to take in. Try and ask original questions, nothing too personal but something you feel that the readers of your blog may actually be interested in.
6. Questions – Spark up a debate
Questions don’t have to be reserved for forums, ask away there are masses of talented people and experts that are more than willing to help – the plus side is you may get some great comments and your post becomes a resource. Be sincere or this will smack of spamming, and if you don’t already have a blog readership then post in relevant forums or on twitter/facebook (see my blog for great places to promote your blog). Why not invite people to leave links to their own websites, which can often encourage people to comment. If you get no response whatsoever then either edit the post and add links to where you found out the answers to your question or add your own comments with these links, that way it is still a useful post for readers to look back to in your archives.
7. Answers – Share your expertise
You may have seen questions that other bloggers have asked in their posts, or that someone has asked in a forum – instead of answering in the forum why not answer on your own blog, flesh it out with some relevant images (or an image from the person who has asked the question by way of a credit) and then post the url of your blog post on the forum or as a blog comment (see my blog tutorial for how to add clickable comments). “I thought this was such an interesting question I had to write a post about it”. You can incorporate other peoples responses too, as long as you link back to the thread clearly in your post. You’ll get traffic to your blog and hopefully you will have helped someone out too, which is a great feeling.
8. Shop Update – Goals and Achievements
Shop updates can be extremely interesting and really useful for your online business or your development as a crafter. If you have ever worked in an office you might be familiar with the dreaded staff meeting first thing on a Monday morning but why not treat yourself to a self indulgent staff meeting for one on whatever day you choose! Use the tip above about revisiting old posts in order to show your progress, address shortcomings and plan for the future. It makes for great self promotion as long as you don’t dwell on anything too negative and try not to make it just an advert for your shop, which can be tedious for regular readers.
9. Links and Reviews
Reviews of supply shops, craft sites, social media sites, tv programs, you tube clips… the internet is all about information and links so by writing a review of a website you are helping others by giving them your opinion, which if they are following your blog they will probably value. Search on twitter for interesting sites – you could then ask the owner of the site if they would be willing to comment on your post which would add credibility to your review.
10. Regular Posts
Think about something that you can blog about week after week, but don’t bite off more than you can chew and don’t beat yourself up if you skip a week. If you are part of a group of bloggers doing the same regular post then add links to their posts and make sure you let them know you have. As an example I write regular mini treasuries of work from fellow sellers on my personal blog and also post regular ‘my garden’ posts. Both are linked to in the navigation bar below the header so people can easily find the post types that interest them most and see that I blog about these subjects regularly, a standard sidebar link list would work equally well to display a list of your regular posts. Make sure you are consistent with labeling regular posts. (Let me know if you need help linking to a label search)
I hope you have enjoyed these 10 blogging tips and that you now feel you have an armory of ideas to spice up your blog.
If you have time and you now have too many ideas whirling around your brain then I would suggest at least writing the title and maybe one line outlining what you want your post to be about in a draft post(s). This is also a good idea if you feel a post is veering off the subject, just copy and paste that section into a new post for the time being and get back to the topic to hand. They can remain as a draft post for as long as you like, but will be there waiting for you when you sit at the laptop with a blank expression next time! (The majority of my posts start life this way!)
Here’s a link to my blog where you can find lots of other useful blogging tips too! http://craftbloguk.blogspot.com/p/blogging-tips-and-tutorials.html
Do any of you have a blog post tip to add?
Source:
http://www.handmadespark.com
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