If you work in a small business environment and are in charge of handling all of the content creation, you already know that it can sometimes be a challenge to come up with new ideas. Keeping your content fresh, unique and above run-of-the-mill can be tricky. After all, if you are doing nothing more than recycling the same old topics, people will eventually notice (namely your audience and employer).
So what can be done to keep your content fresh, exciting, and new? Try these three strategies to keep those creative juices flowing.
Google News Alerts: There are some small business owners that use Google News Alerts to keep tabs on what the public is saying about them. But you can also use it to help keep you up to date on the latest industry news and hot topics. You can set up your Google News alerts to flag any keywords or specific group of words to alert you whenever they pop up. This gives you the inside track of the most recent industry news, ensuring that you’ll be among the first to write about it.
The Same, Only Different: Earlier, we mentioned not recycling the same dl content that has been done several times before. Notice we did not say “don’t recycle the same topics that have been done before.” If you can find new ways to approach topics that have become tired and predictable, you have an edge on your competition. A word of caution here, though: if you are going to do this, make sure you have a great idea and twist for the topic. For instance, if you can’t just write an article of 5 Ways to Get More Facebook Likes and get away with it. But if you can add something very specific to it—such as how to use the weekend to build your Facebook likes—you might be on to something.
Think Outside of the Box: If you have a weird idea, run with it. As long as it has something to do with your industry or central interests, most people might appreciate it. Thinking outside of the box and presenting new material that others haven’t quite dared approach doesn’t make you desperate…it makes you an innovator.
What are some other ways you have found to make sure your company is keeping its online content fresh and interesting?
