Does this happen to you?
You’re sitting with your fingers poised above the keyboard; however, a blank screen is staring right back at you.
You just can’t come up with a topic to write about, especially a theme that’s going to be relevant and of interest to your ideal client?
Yes? You’re not alone.
This was me several years ago every Monday as I sat in front of my computer ready to write an article for my newsletter subscribers.
It was often difficult to come up with a topic that I felt my community of ambitious business owners would find inspiring and relevant, and that would help them take their business to the next level.
Thankfully, this doesn’t happen that often any more as I’ve discovered a few different ways to get my ideas flowing.
So, if you find yourself sitting in front of my computer screen with writer’s block, here are three ways to help you get your creative juices flowing so you can create informative content that your ideal clients will love AND that will build your credibility and continue to position you as an expert in your field.
Step 1: Get Clear
Before you even get started you need to be clear on the general categories and/or topics that you want to become known as an expert in.
For example, I’m passionate about helping coaches and consultants take their business to the next level, however, they often struggle with knowing how to stand out from the crowd, get more clients and charge what they’re worth and getting it!
So, the areas I write about are Branding; Marketing (which includes podcasting); and Mindset (both Money Mindset and having a mindset for success) to help service-based solopreneurs overcome these daily challenges.
Figure 1: Main Topic Categories
- What are the issues that your ideal clients often struggle with?
- What are the general categories of services you offer that will support your ideal client in overcoming their struggles?
Step 2: Build Your Framework
I love Mindmaps. They’re a great way to brainstorm further ideas around a main topic and will often provide me with ideas that will later become the paragraphs in my article.
Here’s an example of the mindmap I created to come up with ideas for today’s article on the importance of building your brand by becoming known as an expert in your field so that clients will want to work with you!
Once I had this outline to follow it was then a lot easier to compile the information I needed and begin to piece them together for my article.
Step 3: Research & Compile Ideas
Here are three more ways to compile more information and get your creative juices flowing.
1. Search 
Read other blogs and articles that also write about your particular area of interest. The idea is not to copy these articles, but rather add your own thoughts/opinions or provide a completely new point of view that the original author may not have covered.
What conversations are being had about your particular topic of interest across the various social platforms? Check them out and see what specific questions are being asked and how you can add even more value to the conversation.
2. Listen 
Stop and listen to what your ideal client is saying. Often, they’ll tell you exactly what they need.
In fact, it’s through questions I’m asked, or comments that are made on various posts I share that’ll spark additional articles, podcast episodes, and lives that dive even deeper a subject matter.
For instance, one of the posts I shared on Linkedin lead to me creating further posts about how to position your thought leadership even if you were in a crowded space, which lead to my How to be Distinguishable, Uncopyable and Irresistible #30DayToDistinction Challenge, Masterclass and now course material within my Core Business Foundations Program.
It all stemmed from me listening to my ideal client and what they were struggling with.
3. Ask 
If you’re not sure – just ask!
Sounds simple, doesn’t it? However, more often than not, we assume or endeavour to guess what our ideal clients are struggling with.
Don’t assume or guess – ask!
The information your ideal client will respond with, will be a goldmine of topics and areas you can continue to share value in.
In fact, it’s so valuable we have an entire module on the right questions to ask your ideal client inside our Core Business Foundations Program.
One of my clients recently told me that after conducting a few interviews with businesses he thought was his ideal clients, gave him complete clarity that they were in fact NOT his ideal clients and that rather he needed to tweak his message in order to position his offerings to the RIGHT ideal client.
Imagine if he hadn’t figured this out and had continue to share the same message and still not getting the response he wanted? (Reminds me of the saying ‘What’s the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”)
Not for my client. He asked the right questions and got the answers he needed.
BTW, if you’re struggling to even come up with the right questions to ask – I highly recommend you check out our Core Business Foundations Program, specifically for Coaches and Consultants.
So, there you have it. Three easy steps that will help you create content that your followers will love and share, while you continue to build your reputation as an influential trusted authority in your field.