In today’s newsletter, I’m attacking the challenge of creating great ideas. So you can write meaningful content that will set you apart.

When you make ideation a standard practice, you quickly learn to work from an abundance of ideas.

Instead of having to look at a blank screen and not know what to write every time you sit down to write.

One of the most common mistakes I often make is waiting until the last minute before figuring out what to write.

The moment when I have to start writing.

Last minute ideation

The danger of leaving ideation for the last minute is that you will quickly hatch onto the idea that’s easiest for you to write about.

The idea won’t be the most interesting either to you or your readers.

There are 5 dangerous processes that stops you from finding great ideas:

1. Multitasking

2. Waiting for motivation

3. Planning procrastination

4. Starting from a blank page

5. Getting stuck in a research rabbit hole

Instead of dwelling on the feeling of hopelessness and getting stuck, start by implementing some new habits. You could begin to take walks where you listen to podcasts. And while you’re walking note down 2-3 ideas you could write about.

Once that’s a habit, start reading 10-20 minutes a day about something related to your niche.

Soon, you’ll start finding ideas wherever you look.

If you want a more niche-specific research method, I have three places where you can start to look for ideas. And by scheduling 15-30 minutes a week for ideation, you’ll soon start to see your idea bank grow.

1. Read comments

The comment section is a highly undervalued place to look for ideas.

But, it’s one of the best indicators to suggest the interests of your audience. Usually, when you write a post, the comments will focus on a certain aspect of that post. Sometimes they might even be a relevant question that pops up in the comments.

These are your data points. And they’re freely available.

2. Find top searches

This is a not-so-secret secret used by people who work in SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

Find out what the top searches are within your niche. Look at the questions they are asking on Google. You can also go to TikTok and search for a topic within your niche, and TikTok will tell you what is most often searched for within that topic.

This is specific data that tells you what people want to read and your job is to give the best answers to the questions that people have.

3. Solve your own problems

When you write about your struggles, you’re relatable.

When you write about overcoming your struggles, you’re inspirational.

Think about some of the struggles you had this week or the week before. Ask yourself how you solved it and what actionable steps lead you there. You’re writing for the person you were a moment ago before you solved your problem.

When you have gone through and solved the problems, you’re speaking from a place of authenticity.

The key to finding great ideas is a mix of seeing what problems a lot of people are having and what problems you are having yourself.

If you can start to identify ideas in the things you consume, you can create interesting writing much faster.

I hope some of this is helpful!

Talk to you next week.

Peter