The Well is Dry - Ideas for Coming Up with Article Topics

You are tasked with creating a slew of articles for your website to build word-of-mouth, page views, credibility, what have you. The problem: You are out of ideas and inspiration and simply not sure where to begin! Here are some resources and thoughts to get you on the road to continual content and perpetual inspiration. The best part? These ideas will give you not only inspiration, but are a source of research and conversation for now and for the future...so you can tap into them again and again.

1.  Is your topic both current and newsworthy? Well, Google it and click the "News" option in the search feed. Peruse the articles that come up, and click through to the links attached. Check out the sidebars (they often include more information, including FAQ's and such). Read the articles, read the next batch of articles you've reached through click-throughs, and bookmark any likely sources of ongoing content. Start clicking, keep clicking, and then, begin writing!

2.  Is your topic in the popular culture? Do a few searches online and find message boards covering the topic you'd like to write on, or at least something close. Figure out what people are talking about, and what questions are coming up. Track opinions and figure out where you stand, and how strongly you stand there. Then, use this information and insight into popular culture-gained for free-to write away. And remember-bookmark the conversations or message boards that you found the most useful.

3.  Look around your life and figure out where you can get sources of information. The coffee shop? The library? The PTA? Figure out if you have a real-life network to tap into and if so, don't dismiss it. Just because your writing is going to be online doesn't mean all your research need be.

4.  HOW pop-culture based is your topic? If the answer is "very", you may want to start putting your Tivo to work for you. Tape talk shows or cable programs, if they provide relevant content. Tape Oprah, Ellen, and Tyra- whoever you enjoy and see if they are covering what you are covering. Search online through their calendars and record specifically those shows which you have an interest in. The benefit of Tivo is that you can skip not only the ads but the boring parts. The research is quick and painless!

5.  Pay attention, all the time. If you're running on the treadmill, look around for inspiration-what they're playing on TV, on ALL the TV's, at the gym for instance. Skim headlines on the major search engines or your favorite site. And, again, bookmark whatever you think will help either short-term or long-term.

6.  Search for groups that are interested in what you're selling or writing about (try MeetUp.com, or just Google the topic.) Having conversations with "real people" helps with research and gives you a real-world reality check that what you're writing and thinking is on track.

Keep your head up and look around, and you'll be surprised what might inspire you.