Coming up with fresh content ideas can feel like a never-ending challenge, but it’s one of the most important parts of keeping your content marketing strategy strong. Whether you’re brainstorming for blogs, social media, or video, consistently generating new ideas is not just about keeping your audience engaged—it’s also a cornerstone of effective SEO. After all, great content and SEO go hand in hand, driving traffic, boosting rankings, and keeping your brand visible. Ready to fill your pipeline? Here are 35 methods to spark creativity (and 5 quirky options for when you’re really stuck).
35 Conventional Methods For Fresh Content Ideas
Spy on Your Competitors’ Content
Analyze competitors’ popular content to identify gaps or new angles for your own.
Look at Popular Posts on Your Site
Use analytics to identify top-performing posts, then expand or update those topics.
Bust Some Myths
Debunk industry myths with research-based content to establish credibility and spark interest.
Dive Into How It’s Made
Share behind-the-scenes looks at your product or service to engage curious audiences.
Review Your Company’s About Page
Reflect on your company’s mission or history for overlooked content inspiration.
Look at the Data
Use analytics tools like Google Search Console or Ahrefs to identify high-traffic keywords and trending topics.
Talk to Sales & Customer Service
Sales and support teams can share customer pain points that translate into valuable content topics.
Check the Calendar for Anniversaries or Announcements
Use upcoming milestones or company news to craft timely, relevant content.
Read Customer Reviews
Analyze customer reviews for insights into needs, concerns, or questions to address in content.
Go to General Forums
Explore forums like Quora or Reddit to find popular questions and topics your audience cares about.
Venture Outside Your Industry
Analyze content strategies in unrelated industries to find new angles or formats.
Explore Online Groups
Check industry groups on platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook to identify trending discussions and audience interests.
Dare to Get Controversial
Explore divisive industry topics to create engaging content that sparks conversation.
Try a Famous Quote or Proverb
Use quotes or proverbs to inspire content themes or to make your topics more relatable.
Use a Content Topic Generator
Try tools that generate content titles based on keywords for instant inspiration.
Use AI
Utilize AI tools like ChatGPT to brainstorm creative content ideas quickly and efficiently.
Flip Through Some Photos
Use images to spark creative ideas or new perspectives for your content.
Go to Support Forums
Industry-specific forums often reveal common questions that can inspire content to address customer pain points.
Pick Apart Webinars
Analyze popular webinars for discussion points that could inspire new blog or video content.
Stalk People, Hashtags, & Comments on Social Media
Monitor hashtags, influencer feeds, and comment sections to uncover trending topics and unanswered questions, especially for social media content ideas.
Talk to a Stranger
Ask someone outside your industry about it—simple questions can spark ideas for approachable, fresh content.
Scroll Through Google Search Results
Review Google’s related search suggestions for content ideas based on user queries.
Try AnswerThePublic
Use this tool to discover popular search queries and organize them into categories for quick inspiration.
Tap Into the Mind
Explore psychology studies and customer behavior insights to uncover unique content ideas.
Go Down a YouTube Rabbit Hole
Browse trending videos in your industry to find high-engagement topics worth exploring.
Attend Conferences
Gather expert insights and inspiration for new content ideas by attending panels, Q&As, and roundtables.
Establish Your Process
Break down your business processes into helpful content that answers common customer questions.
Review Your Own Content
Repurpose or expand on your most popular posts to create fresh, engaging content.
Get All the Emails
Subscribe to industry newsletters to track trending topics and generate new ideas.
Look at Publications in Your Industry (And Their Comment Sections)
Review trending topics and engaged articles in industry publications, and check comments for questions to address.
Study Your History
Review past industry trends or advertising to find unique angles and lessons for content.
Product/Service Experts
Consult internal experts to uncover detailed, unique content ideas that resonate with your audience.
Go to Industry-Specific Forums
Search for “[industry] forum” online to uncover advanced discussions, trends, and questions for content inspiration.
Read the News
Follow local or industry news for trending topics and expert opinions that could inspire your content.
Comment & FAQ Sections on Your Website + Competitors’ Websites
Look for frequently asked questions in comment sections to develop targeted content ideas.
And 5 Weird Ones For the Truly Desperate
Watch TV or Read a Book
TV shows, movies, and books explore relatable themes that can inspire content ideas around personal growth or industry insights.
Do Yoga or Meditate
Yoga or meditation clears the mind, reduces stress, and boosts creativity for fresh ideas.
Get Some Vitamin D
A walk outdoors improves mood, clears the mind, and provides fresh inspiration through a change of scenery.
Observe Pets/Animals
Watching pets or animals can spark creativity and inspire content through their playful and curious behavior.
Listen to Music
Music conveys emotions and stories that can inspire creative angles and fresh content ideas.