Hi, If you are struggling with what ideas to come up with for your content AND if you are getting stressed over this, then take the next 2 to 3 minutes and take note of this simple 4 step strategy to planning your online content.
Now, before we start, I have to ‘fess up and tell you that this process is NOT something I invented. ( I so wish it was, I’d be LOADED). Nope, I am not the creator of this process, I’m merely re-purposing what I have learned from folks far, far cleverer than me.
I used to get stumped all the time when looking for ideas, just because I was guilty of over thinking this problem, especially when I was staring down the barrel of a blank page.
But by using this very simple strategy I am able to come up with ideas for content with way much less stress than back in the day.
Let’s dive in…
Step 1 – The 5 by 5 or 10 by 10 approach
This is where you make a note of the 5 most frequently asked questions and also the top 5 or 10 questions you wish your customers or clients would ask you (or what 5 to 10 things they really, really need to know to get out of their own way)
In my case the top 5 may look like this:
Bear in mind, that with any chart or poll, the list entries can change position.
| Top 5 | Things I Get Asked | Things That Would Help |
| 1 | How Do I Set Up A Website | Own Your Own Domain Name |
| 2 | How Can I Upload Videos | WordPress |
| 3 | Can You Make Writing Easier | A Basic Understanding Of Copywriting |
| 4 | How Can I Edit My Videos | Serve Your Audience and Ignore Everyone Else |
| 5 | How Can I Advertise My Stuff | Keep Things Simple |
Step 2 – Select 1 topic and solve the problem
Sounds a little simple doesn’t it?
But the trick here is to be totally impartial and really demonstrate how this particular issue, question or problem is dealt with in a way that your customer or client can not only understand, but can also see themselves doing it if they wanted to.
This does not mean they will go ahead and do it themselves, but it will make the problem relatable to THEM, which is SUPER, SUPER important.
For example in the Things That Would Help column, I’ve written Own Your Own Domain Name as a hot topic.
This is an important one for me, because I understand how critical it is for you (Small Business Owner or Side Hustler) to not let anyone have control of your online identity.
So this is something I share and talk about….a lot.
Step 3 – Demonstrate How You Would Solve This Problem
Once you have framed the problem and most viable solution in steps 1 and 2, you can now discuss how YOU would go about getting it done.
Perhaps you have a story to tell where you tackled this problem head on and either solved it yourself or was taught it by someone else.
There are many ways of explaining this using your website.
How you explain this depends on the medium you are comfortable with and the way in which you audience likes to consume their content the best.
Explainer videos are a great way of doing this as they create a connection between you and your audience.
They get to hear your voice and and see your face ( if you go on camera).
There are also things like blog posts (like this one), PDF downloads or it could be something simple as a 60 second Instagram post or a post to your Facebook Group.
What ever method you use to share your tips or message, it has to be authentic.
What you describe is something that you would actually do.
For example, I have a whole page on this right here, where I have a step by step guide AND a very short video on how it’s done.
Step 4- Make An Offer To Help Them
If your client or customer has stuck with you to this stage, then you are well within your rights as trusted advisor to make an offer to help them ( for a paid renumeration of course ).
It doesn’t have to be a sleazy pitch.
Just a genuine offer of assistance in return for payment.
There’s no pressure here.
If the client or customer has followed your content, then by that very definition they have expressed an interest in the issue you have discussed and may also be seeking an answer.
You may well have given some of them enough to get on with it themselves, which is fair enough. It’s probably what they were looking for.
The rest may be in “checking you out” mode. Wanting to know if you can deliver the goods.
By clearly articulating a problem that resonates with them AND providing an actionable solution, the next natural progression is to offer your services.
For example, if you need a Domain Name for your new website and you don’t know where to start you can check out what they’re all about here: Click Here
Or, if you know that you need a Domain Name and are ready to set one up for yourself then, click here to get started.
That’s a wrap…
I hope this quick 4 step guide to creating content ideas without stressing will help you with your content headaches.
As always, if you want to reach out with a comment or question, you can do so below or reach me on one of my socials, and if this was useful, please share it with someone who you think it could help.
Best of luck with your site.
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