5 Practical Steps To Generate Ideas For An Amazing Content
Why Google shouldn’t be your first option
Have you ever been in a situation where you are about to write on a topic that is entirely new to you? But the instant you are about to start, you experience writer’s block?
The next option is to go on Google to get ideas. Well, you think that will solve the problem because it is Google but it only compounds the problem. You search and search but end up being loaded with lots of information that are of no significance to you.
I’ve been there. I’ve experienced all the pain, anger and frustration that comes with it. But I’ve also learnt my lessons and I know better now.
These steps will help you generate ideas for amazing contents without stress. They are listed in no particular order.
1. Don’t Start with Google
Starting with Google is a wrong step to take when generating ideas for an article or a blog post.
It can drain your energy and kill your vibe especially when the idea or instruction isn’t clear enough.
Before you go on Google, make sure you are sure of the topic you want to write on and the issues you want to address.
This will help you in narrowing down your search and getting the desired results.
Dig deep into your creativity. If it means you isolating yourself or playing a loud music, please by all means do.
The key is to know you and know what works for you.
2. Pay Attention to your Environment
The ideas you desperately want to bring to life may just be in you or around you.
Being calm, sensitive and observant is what you need at this point.
You could find the answers or ideas you’re looking for in a moving vehicle, a barking dog, an off the record conversation, etc.
The point is, don’t be in a hurry to write. Take your time, be in tune with your environment and flow with the ideas that come afterwards.
3. Pen Down your Ideas
Apparently, this should be the first step you need to take when generating ideas.
Your book, notepad or journal shouldn’t be far from you at this point. Ideas disappear almost the same way they came. So, if you don’t pen down those thoughts or ideas, they can leave you for life.
“The faintest ink is more powerful than the strongest memory.” — Chinese Proverb
No matter how skeletal the idea is, be diligent to pen it down. You can add flesh to it afterwards.
4. Engage in Conversations
Talk with people. Talk with people. Talk with people.
Yes, I had to pen that down three times.
Sometimes we think or feel that no one else has a better idea than we do. We feel that it’s only our ideas that are brilliant. But this is where we get it wrong.
It’ll amaze you to know that even the individual you think doesn’t have a slight idea of what you want to create or write on will be the one with the best ideas.
Engage with people; they don’t have to be in the same space with you. Sieve all that you need. Accept the ones that are peculiar to you and discard the ones you don’t need.
5. Research
The authenticity of the message you’re passing across and the credibility of your content solely depends on this.
Don’t be in a hurry to create content. Whatever you’re creating, someone else has done it. All you have to do is to build on it and modify it. Research on topics or content ideas that will help you pass across your message effectively.
Ensure that you do due diligence when it comes to researching. Get your facts and figures right.
In summary, these 5 steps are things we overlook on a daily basis. We feel they don’t matter but they are the building blocks to generating amazing contents.
