Summary

The article provides strategies for generating content ideas by utilizing questions and statements found in comment sections of various platforms.

Abstract

The article addresses the common struggle of content creators to consistently produce original ideas for their social media, newsletters, or blogs. It suggests that inspiration for new content can be found in the comment sections of YouTube videos, Medium articles, Facebook groups, and other social media platforms, as well as in product reviews. The article emphasizes that the questions and statements made by people in these comment sections can be transformed into valuable content by providing answers, sharing experiences, and offering advice that reflects the creator's unique perspective. It encourages creators to see themselves as one step ahead, capable of offering the information that others are seeking in a way that resonates with them.

Opinions

Consuming content is important for staying informed and inspired, but it should lead to the creation of original content rather than mere regurgitation.
Creators should aim to help their audience by offering advice, tutorials, and answering questions, thereby providing valuable information.
There is an abundance of content ideas available in the places where creators already spend their time, such as social media and articles.
The fear of not being able to produce content should not deter creators; there are always new ideas to be found.
By addressing real questions and statements from their audience, creators can ensure their content is relevant and helpful.
Even if a topic has been covered before, a creator's unique style and perspective can make the content click with an audience that has been struggling with the subject.
Ralph Waldo Emerson is quoted to reinforce the idea that all questions can be answered, implying that creators should not be discouraged by the challenge of content creation.

One Of The Best Ways To Come Up With Endless Content Ideas

It’s so easy because it’s in places you already spend time

Do you ever struggle to come up with content ideas for your social media, newsletter, or website/blog?

We’re told to consume content to help keep us awake and involved but have you ever consumed yet felt like nothing original was coming to you, that you’d just be vomiting back up something that screams, “No creativity here!”?

Our goal when we write is always to help, and that’s great, except when we feel like we can’t

We help by helping — offering advice, tutorials, answering questions…giving people the information they’re looking for.

We learn and learn some more. Then we lose sleep over the fear of not being able to pull through for our readers/viewers.

Sometimes we just simply draw a blank.

Other times we feel like we have nothing of value to say.

Don’t despair. There’s hope.

There are endless content ideas in many places you spend time in

YouTube, Medium, Facebook groups, other social media platforms, articles, and product reviews…these ideas are everywhere.

So where do you find all these content ideas in so many different places?

The comment section.

People ask questions.

They make statements.

Take that question and answer it in your content.

Use that statement as a stepping stone.

Actual examples of real questions/statements:

Scenario: You specialize in creating content for freelancers.

You watch a YouTube video on freelancing. Specifically, this video is for things you should know before starting. You scroll the comments and find:

Comment: “I would like to know how to assemble a freelance portfolio.”

Ideas: How to put together your first freelance portfolio, things not to do with your freelance portfolio, when do you need one, what is a freelance portfolio?

Comment: “Freelancing is only for people who don’t have a family. It just takes too much time.”

Ideas: Time management for freelancers, how to balance freelancing with family, how much time in a week do you spend working on your freelancing business? What’s your daily schedule?

You’re reading an article here on Medium. You scroll the comments and find:

Comment: “Could I ask how you found your first clients for blogs, editing, and retainers?”

Ideas: How to find your first freelance client, best places for new freelancers to find work, retainers for beginners.

You just bought a book about freelancing off of Amazon a couple of months ago. You go to the reviews and find multiple comments commending the author’s transparency on his ups and downs while building his business.

Ideas: Share your ups and downs, review this book, your biggest (or hardest) lessons learned, or what would you do differently if you had to start all over.

That’s just two pieces of content and easily a dozen ideas.

Content ideas are everywhere across all platforms.

Consume questions. Give answers.

No matter where you are in you’re journey, you’re still one step ahead of someone out there. You have the information they’re seeking and you’re very own style for delivering it.

Even if you answer something that’s been answered before, your style might be just what helps it click with someone who has been struggling.

“Undoubtedly we have no questions to ask which are unanswerable.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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