I am new to blogging and am feeling a bit overwhelmed at the prospect of starting a blog. How do you come up with fresh ideas for your blog?

I just wrote a tips page as a free download for those who want to take a survey I am promoting through my newsletter. I can't post it on my website just yet but a few ideas include:

1-Check your Send box for information you have sent out to other people. Half the battle has been won because you know what people are asking.

2-Sign onto other people's newsletters and see what they are writing. Sign onto people who are considered experts in their field.

3-Ask yourself a question about your business and then answer it. What is the most challenging aspect of being a business owner? (example)

4-Try your hand at a video-blog instead of a written post. Decide what you do well and share your knowledge!

5-Ask someone to guest post on your blog.

6-Take a previously written article and expand it...change it around; add more information, links and recycle it.

7-Set your google alerts for keywords of interest. Read other people's posts, get ideas for your own posts, write from experience.

Pitch Join the Monthly Blog Challenge Group here and submit your posts. We offer great feedback and helpful hints. We are running a challenge right now due on 2/28.

Hope that helps.

Janine

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Just wanted to say, thank you Janine for your post, this has given me lots of ideas for the new blog I am going to be starting.

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Claire Baber ~ Horizon Virtual Assistance

Participating in forums like this one (I belong to a few) has always provided content for blog posts. I post about 3 times a week to my VA blog and it's for both VAs and clients about the VA industry. I write several other blogs too, same thing. I use forums and articles as resources for blog posts.

I also write a photo blog which is updated daily. That's a different matter - I'm out every day with my camera.

Great information!! Thank you very much...... I will use some of the ideas in my blog when I get started.

Wow, Kathie, that's really neat that you're out every day with your camera! Is it because you recently moved to a new location, and the surroundings are inspiring? I mean, I know you love photography ... What are your favorite subjects?

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

No, it's not because of my recent shift. I actually celebrate one whole year of that blog next month and will be giving a prize - have a look at http://www.kathiesphotos.com as details will be there soon.

I love nature photography best, flowers and birds are probably my most favourite subjects. Where I live now just gives me a lot more to photograph - lots of Australian native birds, wildlife, scrub, etc.

I would start with the blog challenge. It will give you a place to start each month, allow you to hone on your blogging and research skills and get those creative juices flowing. It may even spark another topic or two for you to post or keep on the back burner.

I try to blog every week, at least 10 days between posts but that does not always happen.

Kathie - your photos area awesome, I am impressed that you have your camera always. It is great that you share your love of nature in this way.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Thank you all for the helpful information.
Kathie - I love your photos, I too am inpressed that you have your camera with you always.

Thanks everyone. Last night (Saturday) at my church they were getting people to sign up for diffent 'helps' groups. For the first time they were asking for photographers. I had dropped my husband off for camera duty (we televise our service) earlier that evening and then went off to the local beach to get some shots before going back for the service. So, my camera was with me and they couldn't get over it. I told them 'have camera will travel'.

I'd recently bought a DSLR Camera Bag from the US (I'm in Australia and you can't get them here) Doesn't look like a camera bag does it? Very padded and perfect for women photographers.

Last night I was practicing getting shots of birds in flight, in sharp detail.



You know, having my camera with me all the time looking for new subjects is like having a notebook and pen with you all the time, looking for new subjects for your blog. Or it's participating in forums like this one and being aware of discussions that relate to your topic theme. Or it's going to a networking event, or speaking with a client and being aware of a new subject for your blog. My camera is a tool, just as your mind is a tool, your reading and writing.

So, have pen & notebook on your travels, and be prepared to take sufficient notes to remind you of what you want to write about.

Another thing I do? I set aside one day a week to write to my blogs. I prepare a week's worth of posts in one day and then pre-publish them so they just post at the day and time I set. That way I'm not doing it every day and it doesn't become a chore. The photos I've taken (and processed), the drafts I've started because of something I've seen or heard during the week, are all there for me to start working with them and feel inspired. And often as that happens I remember other things or think of something else and add more posts.