This is a guest post by Elizabeth Joss.
There is nothing worse than producing a blog post that is lacklustre and without passion or zest. My own fear (that I know is equally shared with fellow bloggers from around the world) is that I will create posts that are just like everyone else’s – boring and painfully ordinary.
So to give myself and others a little creative inspiration I’ve put together these useful and practical steps to help you achieve a greater sense of creativity, whether you are blogging for business or in a personal capacity. These tips are pretty straightforward but they nonetheless require perseverance and positivity.
Let’s take a journey and unlock our creative blogging selves!
#1 Keep an Ideas Book
Whether this is a physical notebook that you carry with you at all times or an electronic one, what is important is that you are jotting down those ideas that come to you at the strangest of times! I use Evernote to store all my blog ideas as well as a whole lot of other interesting stuff related to blogging and writing. My mentor, Jim, sends me useful articles throughout the day and I usually save them on Evernote to read on the weekends and evenings. What’s fantastic about Evernote is that you can group your ideas according to topics and if you are looking for something specific then you can easily search your entire notebook to find it.
I also copy and paste really useful information and extracts from blog posts that I love into my notebook so if I’m ever short of ideas then I know exactly where to go for inspiration.
#2 Use a Topic Generation Tool
A huge problem we bloggers often face is that there is just so much information on the net and we don’t know where to look for ideas. The fact that there is so little new territory for bloggers is daunting but at the same time challenging.
If you are short of a topic, why not use a blog post generation tool like the one created by Daniel Butler of SEOgadget? With this tool you can easily spot what is popular in the online world and see what keywords are trending. This tool draws news from Google news, Bing, Reddit and Digg so you know that what you are seeing is completely up-to-date and relevant – ideal for a blog post that has the potential to go viral. Another tool you can use is Tospy, which shows you which tweets are currently the most popular and you could generate a blog post around some of those popular tweets or topics.
Once you’ve found a topic to write about you can put your tentative headline into Soolve and you’ll be able to see whether this headline is indeed a popular search or not. You can then tweak your headline so that it aligns itself with other popular searches. In that way, you’ll know that your article stands a chance in a Google search on that particular topic. Soolve is thus a great tool for narrowing and refining your ideas just by using your headline!
#3 Limit Information Intake
I made a pact with myself that I would not Google any similar topics when I set out to write this post. Why? Because often when we look at others’ work, we get so put off and think we could never write like that person. The trick is not to Google your topic initially, unless your topic requires research or you are summarising the outcomes of the latest Penguin update. Draw on what you know first and foremost and write from this knowledge. And then if you have to Google, do it but do it for guidance and for fact finding only.
Limiting information intake initially is an important tactic because it lets you get more in touch with your own ideas, knowledge, thoughts and feelings regarding a topic. Once you’ve put down your opinions and feelings towards a topic, you’ll be in a better position to write. And ultimately, writing that goes down well is heartfelt and moving because the writer him/herself feels the topic deeply and the reader can evidently see that.
#4 Use Google Images for Inspiration
Once you’ve created your topic and have come up with a headline, use Google images or Pinterest to further inspire you to write. Sometimes looking at interesting images pertaining to your particular subject helps arouse feelings inside you and can drive you to write. Choose a few images that grab you and keep them open while you write your blog post.
If you haven’t yet decided on a topic and wish to write freely just to keep the creative juices flowing, then using photo prompts is a great idea. 365 Pictures and FWAPhoto are useful sources of images for writers who want a prompt.
#5 Explore Creative Techniques
Creative tools can help you obtain a little more direction with regard to your idea. They can help you extend what you know already and help you discover further interconnected topics.
Mind Tools is a website I love to look at when I’m in need of brainstorming for blog ideas. I usually choose one of the Creativity Tools and work through that in order to generate some really interesting ideas that weren’t necessarily at the forefront of my mind. There are loads of useful skills on this site that go beyond creativity, so whenever you are in need of a recap of skills, check out this site.
Choose a tool that you really love using and then stick to it. Use it on a weekly or daily basis or whenever you are short of blogging ideas.
#6 Bookmark Creative Tools
Here are some really useful online tools for brainstorming ideas:
- Bubbl.us – Free, easy-to-use brainstorming software that loads automatically in your browser. Bubbl.us is great for getting all your ideas down first thing in the morning. (Shown in above image.)
- Mind42 – If you are working with another writer and want to collaborate and share your ideas, then mind42 is the perfect software for you. You can easily create mind maps; attach notes as well as images and links. This really helps your mind map become more visual.
Take note that tools are meant to help us gain clarity in our blogging. They are not meant to keep us away from our writing and we shouldn’t spend too much time using these tools otherwise they are just a distraction from what we are meant to be doing.
#7 Keep Active
Working both your body as well as your mind is the best way to keep ideas flowing and strengthen the creative muscles. We all know what wonders a short walk on the beach can do for us!
Personally, I find that doing yoga on a regular basis helps me obtain more focus in my life and helps improve my creativity. Why? Because I am more in touch with my body and also with my creative needs, my goals and what I desire to achieve in life. Yoga also gives me the discipline I need to structure and order my world.
Doing something different for a change can also stimulate creative ideas. Try out something that has the potential to become a new hobby. If you feel the need to be more creative then you should be doing something more creative! Listen carefully to your inner creative needs.
#8 Blog to a Routine
Editorial calendars are a great way of getting all your ideas in one useful place and ensuring you have content for each and every day you plan to blog. John Doherty talks about the use of an editorial calendar for bloggers and publishers. He provides us with some really useful tips about how to set up a calendar of your own according to your blogging needs. You may not necessarily stick to this each and every day, but this can be a really great tool to get all your ideas in one place and obtain a sense of structure.
#9 Be an Excellent Rewriter
No one gets it right first time. It is more important to be an excellent rewriter than a good writer. It is also important to get someone to proofread your blog posts before they go live. We often don’t see our own mistakes and need someone to give our posts a final go-through.
#10 Read Inspirational Books on Creativity
There have been thousands of books published about finding ones creativity. These two books below are my guideposts when I’m in the dark and when the blog post just won’t appear. I promise you won’t be disappointed if you read these.
- The Artist’s Way (Julia Cameron) – this is my all-time favourite book for helping unlock your inner artist. Although published in 1992 the techniques and passages of inspiration remain relevant for bloggers, writers and artists today.
- On Writing (Steven King) – As a blogger you may not exactly be Steven King (but who knows, you could be a Steven King in the making!). This book is a memoir of the craft of writing. King pours his heart and soul into the book and tells the reader about his life and how he came to be so successful. A must-read for those passionate about the written word.
Sometimes it is also useful to read your favourite books or even just your favourite parts of those books. Reading writing that touches you deeply and that you connect with can really help you find your own words for the topic you are writing about. This is because you’ll take a more heartfelt and personal approach to what you write after you’ve indulged your senses in carefully constructed prose. After all, the best way to improve your writing is to become a better reader!
Final Tip: Be Yourself
Learn how to be you in world filled with so many blog posts that reiterate things over and over. Find ways to maintain your writing voice without becoming just another blog writer. This of course takes time and effort and the more you read other blogs and the more you write, you’ll be further on track to obtaining your own unique style.
Write without reserve. Write from a place of feeling, of emotion and of passion. And more importantly, if you can’t come up with a great idea, write, brainstorm, indulge the senses and it will come to you. Good luck in your creative blogging endeavours.
“You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you. And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke” – Arthur Polotnik
About Elizabeth Joss
Kikolani covers blog marketing and blogging tips for personal, professional, and business bloggers to succeed in search and social media marketing. Kristi Hines is a 
Cool tips! I see you use evernote, I use it too to compile my tutorial ideas and snippets. One thing I always do is check out the latest trend in my niche, so my post are already updated for my readers. Thanks for the tips
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Thanks so much for the comment Sanjay. I appreciate you taking the time out to read my guest post. I absolutely LOVE Evernote and can’t live without it. All my ideas get added to it
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With so many changes in search engines and ranking methods and people having too many choices, creative writing is going to play an role in getting readers to stick to your blog. I like the idea of reading creative writing or similar things to get your creative inside, outside you. You’ve mentioned Julia Cameron, I have seen some of her videos and they are great. Thanks for Tospy, something that I was not aware off. Thanks for these great tips on creating blogging.
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Thanks ever so much for the comment Shalu. I agree that bloggers need to find more creative ways of coming up with content. This is no doubt a challenge, but reading widely can really help us. I highly recommend Julia Cameron if you haven’t read any of her work!
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Recently, I stumbled into an article which I personally think is quite creative and interesting which is taking an unrelated example and somehow relate it to the niche of your site or blog.
E.g. I recently come across an article from Quicksprout where Neil takes the Drugdealer as an example and relate it to tips on running actual business. It is fun to read and interesting to see things from another angle where I find it creative.
Nonetheless, the 10 tips above are also ways to go for creative blogging as well.
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I love this idea! Thanks so much for sharing Alan!
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Hi Elizabeth,
I may need to try Evernote. I keep hearing about it everywhere. Up to this point, I haven’t found a good solution for keeping my ideas in order. If I use one notebook, then I never have it when I need to jot something down. If I have notebooks spread out in every room in the house so they are available, then I can never find what I’m looking for if I need to revisit something I’ve written down. Probably need something I can use on my phone since that seems to follow me just about everywhere.
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Hi D.J.
What’s great about Evernote is that you can install it on pretty much any mobile device and on your pc or laptop. Plus you can take images of things which you can save into a note. Highly recommend this!
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I like to scan magazines for interesting article titles and then use those titles to create article ideas for the niche my blog is in.
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That’s a fabulous idea Gino!! I’ll definitely keep this in mind. Magazines always have catchy headlines or titles.
Elizabeth Joss just posted 20 Ways to Blogging Superstardom (dofollow)
Great post Elizabeth with some really cool tips.
Love the information in item #2 on topic generation tools, I did not even know that such things existed and will certainly head over and check over your suggestions.
I agree with your thoughts on the use of an ideas book and I myself am an enthusiastic Evernote user, don’t know where I would be without it. Though I do also keep a notebook and pencil at the ready at all times as you never really know when that spark of inspiration will strike and it is important to be ready to ‘capture’ it when it strikes.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas, much appreciated.
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Hi Phil
Really glad you found my post to be useful
Hope you check out some of those tools – they are really great. Thanks so much for your feedback, I really appreciate it!
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In my experience, exercise – such as a good jog, an early-morning walk or some cardio at the gym – really helps with creativity. To be at your creative best, you need a healthy body and a healthy mind. In addition, I generally keep a watch on the news and any industry trends and activities in general – doing so can give you a lot of creative ideas for stuff to blog on, and a nice creative impetus too!
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So true Craig – love your idea about watching the news and keeping up to date with industry standards. Thanks so much for sharing this
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Nice Elizabeth,
Really Useful post for new bloggers, all tips are useful while we are blogging. the best tips is Use Google Images for Inspiration it’s really helpful to engage user while he/she read post. these are the few creative ideas which we should keep in mind while blogging.
Thanks for sharing with us…
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Hi Brainpulse
Thanks so much for your feedback – I’m really glad you like the tip about using Google images for inspiration.
Elizabeth Joss just posted 20 Ways to Blogging Superstardom (dofollow)
Really great post, Elizabeth!
An ideas book is definitely key. I seem to get my best blog ideas during the morning commute to work. I quickly learned to jot them down on paper or a Word doc first thing when I get to the office. I also carry around a small notebook for when ideas strike me while I’m out of the office or away from home.
I had never heard of 365 Pictures before today, but I’m definitely going to start using it. I love inspiring images.
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Thanks so much for this comment Mandy! I’m really glad I could inspire you
Notebooks are a super idea!
Elizabeth Joss just posted 20 Ways to Blogging Superstardom (dofollow)
Using topic generation is certainly a good idea. I heard about the tool you mentioned. I think it’s time to check it out now. And yes, keeping an ideas notebook is something that every blogger or writer should do first thing.
Thanks for the tips.
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Thanks so much for your feedback Faissal! Appreciate it! Keep writing
Elizabeth Joss just posted 20 Ways to Blogging Superstardom (dofollow)
Your final tip might be the best. Is that why you saved it for last? Thanks for the ideas. I’ll have to start an inspiration book.
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Hi Robert
Many thanks for your feedback. An inspiration book is most definitely a useful thing to have. And consistency with this is also important
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I think some people are just naturally more creative than others. Not to say most people are boring, but when someone ads a little humor or something catchy I do tend to pay more attention to the site. I will most likely return to it too.
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Hi Ray
I agree – humour is always good. Think this is something I need to work on in my writing!! Thanks so much for your feedback!
Elizabeth Joss just posted 20 Ways to Blogging Superstardom (dofollow)
Thanks for the tips on how to be more creative.
It seems the dullness of the journey can get to you. The mind tool is a great way to spark things up.
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Thanks so much for your feedback Samuel. I agree, it’s good to spice things up and be creative!
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Great tips Elizabeth. I just set up a reminder in evernote for future blog post ideas. Thank you! Suzanne
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Only a pleasure Suzanne
Thanks so much for the feedback!
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Elizabeth,
Seems you’ve got a strong hand at blogging, with a bit of experience to go with it. I’m sure those talents will take you a long ways, within your career, and or goals.
See you at the top,
greg
Dear Greg
That means a lot to me! Thanks ever so much for your kind words
Do you blog at all?
Elizabeth Joss just posted 20 Ways to Blogging Superstardom (dofollow)
Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you for writing this brilliant article! I’ve already made notes of these 3 tips that you’ve highlighted and am quite excited to put them into practice:
- Keeping an ideas book
- Keeping active (I like to do some form of exercise half way through the day)
- Blogging to a routine
Great advice, thanks again!
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Hi Melanie – really appreciate your feedback. Thanks ever so much
Keeping an ideas book and keeping to a routine are fundamental to blogging.
Elizabeth Joss just posted 20 Ways to Blogging Superstardom (dofollow)
Evernote is really a handy tool. Only thing is that many people don’t use it efficiently. Most people just clip/save every webpage they come across, in their notebooks and never turn back to look at them.
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That’s so true Jane! There’s no point writing everything down if you don’t ever look at it. I think it’s important to have sections or different notebooks within Evernote which really helps group your ideas and find them easily.
Elizabeth Joss just posted 20 Ways to Blogging Superstardom (dofollow)
Hello Elizabeth,
A helpful post. Though I am experienced at blogging, I always feel there is something new to learn. All your ideas are great but I like your idea of google images, more. It is a creative way to add some flavour to the articles/posts. I love this post, Elizabeth.
Thanks and Regards,
Sanjib Saha
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Awesome Tips Elizabeth,
I appreciate for all tips, all are useful for us while we are blogging, What I feel these two tips are really compulsory..
(1) Use Google Images for Inspiration
(2) Explore Creative Techniques,
Thanks for sharing..
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