Tricks I use to get unblocked

TEN THINGS TO DO

When you’re all out of topic ideas

Do you ever get stuck?

Can’t think of a thing to say? 

It happens to all of us -especially if you write in a particularly small niche!

It seems there is just no new territory to cover .

Not to worry – Here are some ideas to get the juices flowing again

I’VE INCLUDED JOB-SPECIFIC TOPIC IDEAS FOR YOU IN THE LAST FEW SLIDES

1. Interview SomeoneProfile a customer, partner, consultant, author, etc. Tell your audience a little bit about them and how their work can have an impact on the reader’s life or business. 

2. Figure Out What’s HotRead blogs, LinkedIn, and trade publications. What topics are sparking the most comments and discussions? Take a position or put your own spin on the ideas that people in your target audience are finding interesting.

SUPER EASY IDEA

3. Start With a SurveyShare some key points from an industry study or survey. Be sure to include your interpretation and relate the content to your audience’s interests. Don’t just repeat the survey results.  

4. How Do You Do That?Give some tips and hints about how to do something that shows off your relevant talent or experience.

SUPER EASY IDEA

5. Harvest Internal SourcesIf you work for a company go talk to customer service or technical support. Find out what kinds of questions they’ve been getting lately and then write about those subjects.

If you don’t work in an environment that has such resources, visit blogs or FAQ pages of relevant hardware or software vendors to pick up on issues they are probably hearing about from their customers. 

6. It’s the Best (or Maybe Not)Review a product or service. Provide an honest opinion about something you have used.

7. Tell it Like it WasTell your audience about a problem you had to solve, how you evaluated the possible solutions, what you did to address the issue, and how it turned out. Make sure you don’t violate any privacy or non-disclosure agreements.  

8. Making a ListMake a list of recommended resources and information for your audience. Include a brief description or examples of why you think each resource is useful.

9. Keep Your Finger on the Pulse Set up automatic searches on sites such as Google Alerts to receive notices of news or events matching a set of key words you define. 

10 What You Will Learn…Read session descriptions at industry events or conferences, even if you can’t attend, to find out about industry trends or challenges. For more in-depth information contact the presenter, visit the presenter’s company web site, or check out sites like SlideShare. Write about those topics.

If you are a Programmer/Technical person: • Responsive design• Describe differences of print description/programming

languages• Data security• Techniques for reducing web site page load times• Data transfer between popular software systems

If you work in Document or Mailing Operations:• Quality control procedures• Increasing throughput• Migrating to inkjet• Production floor management• Mailing address quality• Comment on post office policy or postage changes

JOB-SPECIFIC TOPIC IDEAS FOR YOU

If your expertise is in Marketing Communications: • Measuring the effectiveness of multi-channel campaigns• Marketing automation• Triggered communications• Lead scoring

If your role is Executive Management:• Improving the customer experience• 360 degree customer views• Communicating with millennials• Migrating to paperless communications

JOB-SPECIFIC TOPIC IDEAS FOR YOU

If Sales is what you do: • Consultative selling• Meetings with the C-suite• Lost-sale post mortems• Planning and forecasting

If your job is with Forms Development or Creative:• Smart forms• Digital asset management • Effective headlines• Photo/image use

JOB-SPECIFIC TOPIC IDEAS FOR YOU

If you’re still stumped, get in touch with me. I’ll help you out!

There are lots of other approaches of course. Remember to write about what your audience thinks is important and be genuine.

Mike PorterPMC Content Servicesinfo@pmccontentservices.com

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