Creating useful and engaging content is a vital aspect of search engine optimization (SEO) and link building today. While it might initially feel stimulating, the task can quickly become repetitive and dull. Writing engaging content about a topic that hasn’t been explored countless times is possible if the right perspective is adopted.
The challenge lies in how immersed you are in the topic compared to your audience, which may lead to a flawed perspective. To overcome this, it’s essential to view the subject with fresh eyes as an outsider would. This doesn’t require drastic measures but rather a commitment to understanding how outsiders perceive and discuss your industry. Tools abound for gathering actionable keyword data, but alternative methods can also reveal opportunities that might otherwise be missed.
This approach focuses on understanding your audience’s thought processes to create content that responds to their questions and resolves their problems, rather than merely targeting specific keywords. Below are several places where you can generate new content ideas:
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Quora: Exploring Quora can be both entertaining and enlightening. Despite the sometimes amusing inquiries and frustrating responses from so-called "experts," the platform provides insight into the thought processes of individuals seeking answers on particular topics. These diverse perspectives can yield a wealth of new content ideas.
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Facebook/LinkedIn Groups: Engage with groups on these platforms, where discussions provide insights into how others, including both customers and industry professionals, view topics. Participating in these groups not only uncovers valuable content ideas but also establishes you as an expert. While starting your own group may offer advantages, it requires time and dedication; for now, focus on participating in existing groups.
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Comment Sections: Although comment sections can often become havens for spam, finding engaged discussions can inspire new content ideas. However, be prepared for the less pleasant aspects of navigating these spaces.
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Amazon Bestseller Lists: Books on these lists represent topics that have captured considerable attention. While the lists can be manipulated, analyzing verified reviews can reveal genuine interest in certain subjects. Reading relevant books allows you to expand upon or contradict the authors’ points, providing an opportunity to engage with the authors and potentially gain exposure through social sharing.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Compile a list of FAQs from customer-facing staff and existing customers to develop robust content. This list can be expanded by reviewing competitor FAQs, ensuring a comprehensive foundation for new content creation.
Topics vs. Keywords: Modern SEO strategies emphasize targeting broader topics rather than isolated keywords. This approach involves creating content that addresses a range of relevant questions under a single topic, providing a more valuable resource.
For instance, a home builder’s site might tackle the question "How long does it take to build a house?" by including related information like weather impacts, necessary paperwork, and expected customer involvement. Such content not only answers the primary question but also addresses additional queries a visitor might have.
Making it Valuable and Engaging: Enhance content with a linked table of contents, images, documents, internal and external links, and proper semantic markup, ensuring clarity for both search engines and visitors.
Learning How to Make it Better: As your content generates leads, feedback on challenges encountered during business transactions can inform further improvements, keeping your content updated and relevant to your audience’s evolving needs.
Ultimately, the content you create will continuously evolve to meet the changing desires and knowledge of your audience, alongside your SEO and link-building objectives.
