5 Inspired Ways to Develop Content Ideas

Inspiring quotes about getting inspired – no better place to start when stumped. You can simply read this article, but I'd like you to grab a pen now and start a running list of content ideas for your blog or newsletter. Each of these suggestions can be accomplished in just minutes!


“I think I'm a born storyteller. Inspiration is all around me. I can read a newspaper article and come up with an idea for a book.”  - Jackie Collins
#1. Grab a newspaper, or find one online, and start reading. Scan the headlines for inspiration – a topic, concept or how-to that you can adapt to suit your target market.

"Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be when they grow up because they're looking for ideas."  - Paula Poundstone
#2. Look at what you do from the perspective of today's children. What is the future - of your industry, products/services, target market - that they can look forward to in 10 years, or 20 years? Use your imagination and have fun!

“Most creative work is a process of people passing ideas and inspirations from the past into the future and adding their own creativity along the way.”  - Joichi Ito
#3. What is the history of what you do? Has it been around a long time or is it new? How has it evolved? Do a little research online now. Or pick up the phone and interview someone who’s been doing it longer than you.

"If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas."  - George Bernard Shaw
#4. Exchange ideas with a friend. Take a moment now to think of an idea for a colleague. Sometimes it's easier to come up with content ideas for other businesses. Phone your friend, share your idea, and ask for an idea in exchange. Email works, too. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to inspire each other.

“The popularity of the Internet and using it as an available resource has really changed the way chefs kind of gather information and look for inspiration. To me, a food trend is potentially a lot of people following an idea.”  - Grant Achatz
#5. What’s trending in your industry? Or what’s trending that affects your target market? Check "What’s Trending" on Google, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.


You'll find that sitting down to write is not as stressful when you already have a list of ideas to start with.

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