It can happen to all of us. One week you’re full of blogging ideas, only to find a week later you have no idea what to blog about.
Even I’ve suffered from bloggers’ block. And if you don’t do something about it, you may find your passion for blogging dwindling and people becoming less interested in your blog.
While generating engaging blog post ideas comes easy to some, many of us can sometimes find it challenging.
Thankfully there are plenty of easy ways to develop regular ideas that will engage your readers.
If you’re eager to break out of your ‘ideas’ block, here are a few suggestions to get you started.
1. Read and comment on other blogs.
Many bloggers do this every day, but looking at and reading other blogs is an easy way of generating ideas.
While stealing the blog posts of other bloggers is a definite no-go area, there’s no harm in using some of their ideas as a starting point. For example, I started writing and publishing blogging tips after reading blogging tips posts.
Looking at photos on a photography blog has given me ideas for blog posts and short stories.
Look at blogs similar to yours, branch out and look at entirely different blogs. While their content may be irrelevant and uninteresting to your readers, they may have ideas you can adapt.
2. Don’t just leave comments; read them too.
The comments left on blog posts can often be as interesting as the post itself. And, best of all, the comments section can be a brilliant source of ideas.
I take time to read comments that others have left because, often, what they say will spark ideas for new blog posts.
Likewise, longer comments can often be a whole blog post in itself.
Read the comments on the blog posts you leave comments on and see if anything sparks a new idea. You’ll be surprised by the results.
3. Write and publish a questions and answers post.
This is a great way to reach out to your audience and get them involved.
In my blog post Do You Have A Question About Blogging? I asked readers to leave me questions. I answered those questions in a new blog post. I also featured the blogger who asked the question.
It resulted in me getting many questions and generating many new blog post ideas.
Unfortunately, I haven’t gotten around to answering all the questions, but I know I can always go back to them if I find myself stuck for ideas on what to write.
4. Interviews.
We all have bloggers who inspire us with their blogs, so another great way to reach out is to ask for interviews and collaboration opportunities.
Don’t be afraid of approaching somebody for an interview. You’ll be surprised by how many bloggers will agree. After all, you’re offering them and their blog some free publicity.
5. Use a memo pad.
Whether on your phone or in physical form, a memo pad is essential to a blogger’s arsenal. None of us knows when ideas will strike, but when it does, be ready to write them down before the idea is lost.
Even if you don’t think an idea is currently functional, you can always go back to it at a later date. This is ideal for days when bloggers’ block hits you hardest or you’re short on time.
If you write down every idea that comes to you, it shouldn’t take long to create a helpful inventory you can refer to.
6. Get your readers involved…again.
Another way of writing and publishing content your readers will enjoy is by asking them for their input.
Ask them for their feedback on which posts they enjoy reading the most.
Check your WordPress stats, as this will tell you what your most popular posts are. You may be surprised by the results you receive.
You might discover that your readers respond and share your personal posts more than your how-to guides. You can also pitch ideas to them to see if there would be something they would be interested in reading.
This can give you endless ideas and insight into what to write next.
Encouraging their ideas and feedback is also a great way of retaining loyal readers. Just remember to acknowledge them for their input.
7. Take up a challenge.
One of the easiest ways to overcome bloggers’ block is to participate in a blogging challenge.
Over the years I’ve been blogging, I’ve participated in hundreds of blogging challenges hosted by other bloggers. They were fun and opened up new doors, which helped create new blog posts.
There are hundreds of challenges on WordPress. My post, How To Make Your Blog Standout From All The Other Blogs Out There, gives details of some of the blogging challenges I’ve taken part in.
8. Check your draft folder.
If you’re like me, you’ll probably have lots of unfinished blog posts in the draft folder of your blog. Some of mine go back a few years.
There may be many reasons why you never finished drafting those posts, but reread them and see if now is the right time to finish writing them.
Rereading them may even spark some new ideas.
These are just a few ways to stay relevant and retain your followers. Make a habit of looking for inspiration from multiple sources to keep your ideas fresh and unique. That way, you’ll never be short of ideas again.
Conclusion
- Many bloggers encounter times when they can not find any new ideas for blog posts.
- Don’t just leave comments. Read the comments others have left. They can often spark ideas for new blog posts.
- Looking at photos can often create ideas for a short story, poem or new blog post.
- Don’t be afraid of asking other bloggers and writers for an interview or collaboration opportunity. After all, you’re offering them some free publicity.
- Check the draft folder of your blog. It may contain posts that you can finish and publish.
- Encourage your audience to ask you questions. Answering questions can generate new blog posts.
- Consider taking part in a blogging challenge. There are lots of challenges available that are hosted by other bloggers.
- Make sure you always have something available to write down any ideas for blog posts.
What about you?
- Have you ever encountered bloggers’ block?
- How do you combat bloggers’ block?
Join the discussion by leaving a comment that I can respond to with more than just a ‘thank you.’
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Hugh's Views & News 
Thank you so much.
You’re welcome.
A great post, Hugh. Some good ideas for bloggers here. I don’t get blogger’s block or any other kind of block. I just don’t ever have enough time.
You’re one of the lucky ones then, Robbie. I hope you will continue that way and that it never becomes a problem.
An informative write-up of ways to get out of a blogging rut, Hugh. I think there is a fine line being inspired by other blog posts and stealing the ideas of other blog posts. I feel everyone can write on one topic – and instead of stealing someone’s idea, reflect on what that topic means to you and come up with original content. That will make your post stand out.
I do find reading comments on other posts inspire me a lot and give me ideas for future posts. In turn I’ve discovered many dedicated bloggers in the comments section and I’ll check out their blog – and then get more inspiration for more blog ideas. And meet another lovely blogging friend.
Unlike you, I don’t have a draft folder. I’m usually very adamant about writing a post until it’s done, and then publishing and putting it out into the world. I do like revising my old blog posts, seeing them from different angles, rewriting them from another perspective and include fresh thoughts. Over the years some of my thoughts have changed and I might not agree with everything I wrote in the past – so another opportunity to get excited about blogging again.
Hope you are doing well, Hugh.
Thanks for your comments, Mabel.
I agree about finding dedicated bloggers in the comments section. Those that always leave good, meaningful comments always get my attention, and I may visit their blog and follow them.
I’ve also rewritten and republished some of my older blog posts. Because my blog has got more followers since those posts were first published, the new posts often get twice as many comments left on them. I hate to think of all those great ideas tucked away in the archives never to be seen again.
Rewriting and republishing is always a good idea. I’ve never been up for it but lately have been gravitating towards it. As you said, hate for good ideas to be tucked away. No harm in resharing and starting meaningul conversations again.
Great tips once again Hugh. I have more than a 100 drafts, some of them with just a couple of sentences, and, they come to rescue each time I have felt a block.
Images have also helped me come up with blogging ideas.
I will look up at blogging challenges. I have only done a couple of them so far.
I think most of us have unfinished, draft posts, Deepa. I often wonder why I didn’t finish a post, so they’re handy to have. In fact, this very post had been in my draft folder for nearly a year.
Blogging challenges are great, although I only participate in them if I get an idea from them straight away. Looking at images and photos seems to be the best source of that inspiration for me.
Whenever I get block I trust the Muses or somebody like them is doing me a favor from writing rubbish 😊
They must be working because I’ve never known you to write any rubbish, Michael.
This was such an informative and useful post Hugh. I have encountered blocks. Thank you for sharing these tips. I’ll check out the post on challenges and start working on each of these tips. 🙂
Do have a go at participating in some of the blogging challenges, Smitha. I participate when I can, and have had some great results from doing so.
Will do so Hugh. Thank you again for sharing your expertise here. Its extremely helpful.
I love reading other blogs and especially what the readers write in response to the post. It certainly helps when the brain wants to write but the hands just sit on the keys. #SeniSal
Yes, I agree. The comments section of a blog post can be a hive of ideas for new blog posts. That’s why I believe that comments can be just as good as the blog post they’ve been left on.
There are some great ideas here, thank you. I appreciate the encouragement to invest time in reading other comments on posts one is commenting on. One area I fail, is by the time I finish a post, which I generally spend several hours on, I don’t necessarily think of questions to generate conversation or interaction. So I am especially grateful for folks who take the time to make comments. one thought you might add for bloggers is the possibility of carrying a recording device. I don’t always remember to grab mine, unless I am deep in a writing project, but I get lots of ideas when I am driving and can’t stop to write them down. I always keep a note pad on my night stand and at any given time I have 4-6 drafts started, sometimes with just a title, sometimes with an outline or more. Thank you for your generosity of sharing so many helpful ideas. Michele
Hi Michele. I have a downloaded app (ExpressDictate) on my iPhone where I can make recordings, although I wouldn’t access it while driving because it’s against the law in the UK to hold a mobile phone while driving. Handfree may work, though.
I take about a week to draft a blog post and have always found that asking questions at the end of the post does help generate engagement. In fact, making the title of a blog post also helps generate engagement, especially if the question is one you can answer.
I’m glad all these blogging tips posts are so helpful. Thanks again for taking the time to leave a great comment.
Thank you and than you for safe driving. I would access my phone while driving, but I can turn on my recorder when I get in the car. I don’t carry it as much as I should, but right now especially I should. In addition to the blog, I am engaging in a writing project with a friend that we are both excited about. It is a Christmas Story, for want of a better description. We write in fits and s, starts but are enjoying sharing the project together. We probably write in fits and starts because we are fitting it in. In our spare time, when I am not writing sermons or blog posts, I work on the book (and do laundry?) On blog posts, I tend to spend several hours over two days, writing, editing and selecting pictures. I have some outlines and titles in a d raft folder, but i can see where taking a little longer might give me time to reflect on questions to ask. Thank you! Michele
Great to hear you’re collaborating with another writer on a project. Christmas stories always go down well at any time of the year. For most, they have a ‘feel-good’ factor about them. Good luck with it.
Thanks. I would love to see us finish it by the end of the year, but don’t know. We have been friends for a long time and our writing styles are compatible. Not taking anything for granted, but pretty sure we can do this project without hurting our friendship. I do have a blogging ethics question, perhpas you have already addressed. I do my best to read fully and comment on posts and thank those who do the same for me. Is there an expectation to thank people who signed up to follow you? Often they seem pretty random and I don’t necessarily want to engage a total stranger. I feel differently about people whose posts I read on link parties. Wondering what are your thoughts on this.
No, definitely not, Michele. Unfortunately, many simply sign up in the hope that you’ll follow back. Then, once you do, they’ll unfollow you. It’s all about the numbers to them. It’s far better to check out their blog and only follow back if the content they are publishing really does interest you. Then, when leaving a comment, you can thank them for following your blog. Otherwise, you’ll soon find yourself overwhelmed by the number of blogs you follow. I hope that helps?
Yes, it does, that is great advice Hugh. Thanks for taking the time to answer. And wise. Even if I was not working part time in retirement, there are only so many hours a day. One reason I try t o limit myself to 2 link parties and rarely do I participate in both in the same week, so that I can do justice to the reading.
Great tips as usual.
Reading always primes the pump for me.
Thank you. Yes, reading other blog posts (and the comments) also works great for me.
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
Thanks for the tip, Hugh. Frankly, I’ve had blogger’s block since I began my blog eight years ago.
You’re welcome, Pamela. Sorry to hear you’ve had bloggers’ block. I hope these tips help.
I’m currently struggling with blogger’s block right now, and this blog post has really helped me. I think the question and answer idea is great, and I like the idea of trying blogger challenges. Thank you, Hugh, for the very useful tips 🙂
I’m so pleased this post has come just at the right time for you, Joanna. I hope the tips within the post do help. Let me know how you do.
Will do! Thank you 😊
Great tips!! I’m dyslexic too and I have never put that out there on my blog. Crossing paths with your blog made me think of why I don’t. No one knew what it was when I was growing up and many of us with dyslexia were shamed in school. I was raised to hide it.
Same here. It was not a recognised condition when I was at school. I went on to hide that I was dyslexic for many years. It was not until I discovered blogging that I took a big leap and announced on my blog that I was dyslexic. I’ve not looked back since then. I now look at it as more of a gift.
It’s so hard to get over the programming to hide something about ourselves. You are an encouragement and inspiration to others.
Thank you so much.
Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out this great post from Hugh Roberts via his Hugh’s Views and News blog titled: 8 Ways To Help Overcome Bloggers’ Block
I’ve been neglecting my blog lately, probably because I’ve been more focused on writing and editing stories. I must make some time to try some of your excellent tips.
It sounds like you’re not suffering from bloggers’ block, though. I’ve often taken a blogging break so that I can finish off a project. I highly recommend taking them.
Hi, Hugh – These are all excellent ideas. To add to #7, a blogger can always make up his/her own challenge with something of particular interest to him/her.
That’s true, Donna. I suppose they could also open it up to other bloggers, although I know from experience just how much hard work there is in hosting a blogging challenge.
Wise words – as always, Hugh.
Thank you, Esther.
I will be sure to try some of these as I get blogger’s blog quite often…
I’m glad this post will be of some help to you, Jim.
All good ideas and realistic for any blogger, Hugh! Since I’ve been hosting Sunday Stills, I’m never without ideas, thank goodness. But there was a time in early 2018, even with the WP weekly challenge, that I was close to hanging up the blog for good. The break was what I needed which birthed the idea of hosting Sunday Stills. Also, taking photos of random things is always great for a provocative post! Challenges are the best for me to stay inspired.
I think most of us reach that point of thinking it’s time to hang up the blog and move on to something else, Terri. Then, something comes along that takes us on a different journey, and we wonder why we were thinking of throwing it all in.
Hosting a blogging challenge is a lot of work, so we have to thank all of you hosts out there. Blogging challenges really do come to the rescue when we’re stuck for ideas what to write. And I agree with you about taking random photos. I only have to look at the number of photos in my photo library to know that I’ll never run out of ideas.
I imagine your photos fuel your creative fires for your fab story telling, too!
oh yeah – old school pen and paper and journaling are other ways I get ideas.
Great post as always.
Thank you.
I just love the title – Blogger block.
I find reading other’s post and commenting – leads to a blog post. That is my comment on their blog, makes me think – ahh yes a blog post.
I have been reading a lot about writer’s block lately. and everyone says there is no such thing. What there is procrastination! not enough of variety in your day. They say just write, anything and the flow will come.
I find this to be true for writing and blogging. Read something, and comment, and there is no block any more.
Sometimes I try to hard – and that trying to hard, and thinking too much leads to paralysis for me . But, it just boils down to – as Nike says ” just do it “. For me at least.
Likewise, I’ve read several articles that say that there is no such thing as writers’ block. And to be honest, if we just sit down and write anything, it can often lead us to something that has the ingredients of an engaging blog post.
On the other hand, I also agree entirely that no one should ever force themselves to write and publish a blog post just for the sake of doing so.
Agree on both accounts
When I am out of inspiration I pay even more attention to the interaction. It can give you exactly the input you need.
I agree, and it’s why those meaningful comments that add value to what we have written and published are so rewarding.
Yes, exactly! And the bloggers who leave meaningful comments are those we are connecting fast and close!
As always, it is interesting reading. Maybe that Challenge thing could be a subject for future post. All the best.
I’ve written about blogging challenges several times. One of the links in this post will take you to one of those posts. They’re a great way to get your mind working and to meet other bloggers. I’d recommend you try some out.
Thank you for the good advice once again Hugh. I do a lot of these when I feel I have nothing to blog about. I will remember this for next time I get stuck. Hope you have a good week.
I’m glad it’s helped. You never know when Bloggers’ block may strike.
Very true! All we know is at times it will strike
Thank you. I’m pleased to hear you’re never stuck for anything to write. Having a memo pad handy is very helpful. I’ve lost count of all the ideas I’ve lost because I didn’t write them down.
Leaving comments is a great way to engage with other bloggers, especially when those comments are meaningful and prove the post has been read. I think most bloggers much prefer to get those types of comments rather than the short ones that say little and does not really mean anything. Meaningful comments also attract other readers to the blogs of those who have left them.
You’re welcome, Ellie.
All great ideas. Thanks! I always have a list of blogging ideas as a backup plan for when I don’t have an idea or something falls through. Some have been on the list for quite a while but will come in handy when I need one.
Indeed. That ‘ideas’ list can never be long enough. It’s good to hear you have plenty of ideas as backups.
All very helpful Hugh..enjoy the week.
Thank you, Sally. You too. Have a great week.
I think it really helps as it disciplines you to look after your website
I haven’t had a block as yet but it’s finding the time. I have plenty of ideas but they seem to take ages to get down. As I use a lot of photos in my posts the editing takes up so much time. Also I’ve started doing some challenges and that has generated more interest and communication with other bloggers
Thanks for all your tips 😎
I’m glad to see how participating in blogging challenges has helped, Alison. They’re a fantastic source for new ideas and help put you and your blog in front of a new audience.