Do you feel stuck for content ideas? Whether it’s social media or website or marketing content, it’s easy to feel like you have nothing to say.
And yet, the need for content doesn’t go away!
The entire goal of this post is to give you at least five content ideas for when you don’t know what to post.
Secondary goal? To prove that there’s always something.
Content ideas for when you don’t know what to post
I don’t know about you but I do a LOT of writing. All day, every day.
But I do it for other people and most of the time, they’re telling me what to write.
So, I guess that’s easy in a way. Like, it has it’s own challenges but I never wonder what on earth am I going to write?
It’s more like…OK…um…how am I going to make this random topic somehow interesting?
Anyway, I think freelancers and writers find they don’t have ideas when it comes to writing for themselves. On their blog. On their social media. In general.
I’ve been here. I feel you.
BUT you can break free cause this is one big mental game. And you’re probably overthinking it.
No shame, you just need a system.
I’ve shared my personal system before (How to Create a Content Calendar) so you can check that out if you’d like a refresher, and I’ll summarize it quickly below as well.
Since I implemented this system in 2017 I haven’t had a single moment where I didn’t know what to write. Dead serious. It has changed everything!
For my blog content I have organized everything into six topics, also called themes or content pillars depending on what industry you’re in. Or who you’re talking to.
Here are my personal content pillars
- Writing
- Blogging
- Social Media
- Marketing
- Podcasting
- Publishing
I start with these big topics, then I brainstorm ideas for what could fit within each one. I write them down and do my best to keep breaking down those ideas into smaller and smaller pieces.
Why? Because the more pieces, the more posts.
The more posts, the less I have to figure out later. I just look at my article ideas and get writing.
What to post on Instagram
Alright, let’s get specific about Instagram, since that’s where I feel like the most people get stuck. Maybe it’s because we’re words people in a visual medium…maybe.
Honestly, I don’t know. I feel like it’s just difficult!
We see what the cool influencers are doing and feel like we need to do it to. But…do we? I mean, our goals are different, aren’t they?
(They are.)
I know you’re going to be shocked beyond shocked but…I systemize my social media posting too.
Here are my Instagram content pillars. I used to keep them the same as my blog topics but this fits a bit better visually for my brand:
- Tips and tricks
- Books and stationery/coffee
- Nature (especially my home/safe space/refuge)
- Establishing myself as an expertise (helping people get to know me)
And here’s an example from one of my clients, to help you see how topics/themes help demonstrate your unique personality and skills:
- Writing quotes
- Humorous quotes
- Dogs (specifically French Bull Dogs)
- Gardening/Mushrooms/Quilting/Canning
But let’s say themes or topic just doesn’t work for you. Fair! Here’s another idea from another one of my clients.
In this case, they have thousands of resources on their website and publish content every day. There’s a lot to work with. Like, an overwhleming amount.
Four or five topics just wasn’t cutting it, so here’s what we do instead.
- Illustrations from existing content (articles)
- Quotes (text overlaid on stock photos)
- Graphically branded post
- Flat lay products
The big idea with this strategy is to showcase the huge range of resources available on the site, and to continually provide encouragement and inspiration through regular, consistent social media posting.
Content ideas AND MORE for those who are still stuck
We’ve reviewed a lot here, but it’s all high level so I understand if you’re still feeling a bit stuck coming up with content ideas.
So here’s what I recommend. Steal this content strategy I wrote for Sage Media & Marketing and stop stressing about it. Do it. Just take it.
The content strategy reviews five different types of content you can write and rotate through for a well-balanced, cohesive feed.
It’s truly awesome and if you do the work, you won’t run out of content ideas. And it will give youa fresh, well-balanced feed!
And when you’re ready to uplevel, check out this how-to guide: How to Create an Instagram Strategy.
If you’re honest-to-goodness stuck on the visuals then here’s who I recommend to help:
- Sage Media & Marketing (free stock photos!)
- Ivory Mix (30 days of Instagram content ideas)
- Blacksburg Belle (how to create a cohesive Instagram feed)
One more thing. You may be interested in my free resource library. This is where I keep my files, downloads, ebooks, worksheets and whatever else I manage to create. I love sharing what I learn and want to keep adding to this library so it becomes a wealth of helpful goodness.
This is a free resource but I do require a password to access the library itself. You can get access by popping your email address into the form below.