At some point, one of the challenges a content writer will face is “What should I write about?” or “What content writing topics will interest our readers?”
I’ve been there many times.
Some call it writer’s block, but I think it’s the uncertainty that usually comes with creating content or creativity. Will people like our stuff?
Below are a few ideas you can write about for your business.
You don’t have to worry about if your audience will find them interesting. They have been tested and trusted to work.
And, yes, I added links to examples and tips on achieving the best result with each of them.
16 Content Writing Topics You Should Try For Your New Business
Some of the examples I linked to are popular. Some were viral, but that is another aim entirely.
If you have read my other post about content writing, I wrote that the purpose of writing for your business is to help your audience. Help your buyers, and they will remember your brand or products. This purpose is the most important, not virality. Going viral doesn’t necessarily mean people will want to buy your product.
So, what are the topics for content writing? Let’s start.
1. Ultimate Guides
These are long-form posts that explain a topic in-depth.
Example:
Still not sure about the ultimate guide?
You can start by doing keyword research. Or think of a problem your audience is struggling with and write an ultimate guide about it.
You can use Quora, Reddit, or Search Engines to see what people want.
2. Your Story/Why
Why did you start your business? Why do people call your brand by its name?
Write a story from a point in your business or life that’s affected your current achievement. It will be perfect if you make it inspiring or reflect on individual lessons or mistakes.
Examples:
If you run a business blog, you can think of content writing topics that will be published as personal essays. Using channels like Twitter, you can list your lessons in a thread.
HINT: start with whys? Why do you write? Why do people love our brand? Or why did I fail at marketing?
3. Counter Articles to Popular Posts
Someone has published a blog post or article about a topic, and you think the content or teaching is false or wrong. Dust off your keyboards, crack your knuckles and write against the argument.
This is effective because there is a great chance that your article will go viral if the one you disagree with is popular.
A word of caution: have a strong argument. Don’t write something that makes you look unreasonable.
Examples:
- In defense of being average, Mark Manson
- A counter post to Kelvin Kelly’s 100 True fans
4. Review
Find some products or places and write a detailed review about them. The rule here is to be honest and ensure the product is useful to your target audience.
These content-writing ideas can serve your brand in many ways. For example, it can get backlinks from other brands, is likely to be syndicated or republished by bigger blogs, and boosts your relationship with existing brands.
Example:
- I wrote about how Janet Burroway’s book helped me write better stories.
- We asked readers: ‘iPhone or Android, and why?’ They had a lot to say.
5. Detailed Answer to a Customer’s Question
Your readers probably have questions about your business or your personality. If some of them ask similar questions, that’s a good sign. Write a detailed answer and let it satisfy their curiosity.
You can also find your ideal reader’s questions on places like Quora, Reddit, and Answerthepublic. You can answer those questions, write on those forums, and adapt them to blog posts later. If you check Quora right now, you will find some sample topics for content writing.
Examples:
- What If I Fail
- What’s the best brain hack you know? Jame Atchucher on Quora
6. Inspirational Posts
Inspiring posts can come in different forms, but it starts with you being inspired.
It is the type of post that comes to you while you are having dinner with your crush, and you can’t help but pull out a note and a pen.
It should have the probability of moving your audience as much as it forces you to write.
Still thinking of content writing topics to write on this year? Summon your inner storytelling and motivational speaking skills.
Example:
7. Your Answer to Popular Myth in Your Industry
Each industry has its own form of controversy.
In the phone industry, people always argue about the quality of Androids and iPhones. In the sex industry, they fight about morality. SEOs often argue about each Google update (as if they want the search engine driven by technology to remain stagnant).
What is that one topic in your industry that people are talking about? What’s your opinion about it — a hill you will die on? Write and publish it.
Examples:
- The Making of an Expert (a post shattering the myth about “genius are born”)
- Why you should stop complimenting people for being ‘resilient.’
Writing tips:
- Some of these posts are developed from research. So, you can either do your research into the topic or rely on your years of experience to create a compelling argument.
- It doesn’t have to be a topic or debate in your industry. It could be something you read in the news.
- Take the side that will favor your business (obviously). Unfortunately, a topic like this usually creates a kind of divide between the readers. So, choose the side of your business.
#8. Steal A Famous Copywriting Swipe File And Write something similar for your brands
I have tried it — unconsciously — for a LinkedIn post, and the response was great.
Head to Swipefile.com or swiped.co and pick a famous copywriting sample that did well back in the day. Let it inspire your next blog posts:
Example:
- How to create great content —
- A guide to rolls Royce comfort and grace
- They didn’t want to pay me because I am a ‘writer’ inspired by John Caple: They laughed at me when I sat by the piano. (screenshot below)
Writing Tips
- If you’re going to try this, I suggest you first read How to Write Ads that Sell by Ogilvy for inspiration.
By the way, I can help you write any of these types of content. Use the contact form on the menu, send a DM on Twitter, or simply send an email to Hadehwrites (@) gmail.com. You can also check my Upwork profile.
9. Try Something and Write About It
Start a challenge and write about it.
It is another version of point 7. Here, you’re debunking a myth because you took the time to participate.
- 19 Things I Learned in Nigeria – By Tim Urban
- This is What I Learned After Watching Videos for 48 Hours
Writing tips
- The purpose of this type of post is honesty. You want to reinforce a myth or re-educate your audience about a misconception. Try that thing for a certain period and then write about it.
- You can start with something small. For instance, I did the diamond push-ups for 100 days or tried a kind of diet or something that people have been arguing about.
10. Business Lessons to Inspire Other Business Owners
You are a business owner, and some of your audience is business owners.
One of the great topic ideas for content writing is your journey and lesson. It is quite different from your story. You are not telling your entire story but picking an important part related to your business.
If your story answers “why did you start,” this one answers “what you have learned from starting for a certain period.”
- 7 Things I Learned in 2022
- Mark Manson gave the coldest, harshest, honest advice I have ever seen about blogging.
11. Listicles of Tips or Tools or Something Helpful
Write epic listicles of information, tools, or collections. It could be the most powerful articles you have read or the best advice you have gotten.
- The ultimate list of free blogging tools
- Top 5 regrets of the dying
- The 20 Best Marketing Articles of All Time, according to HubSpot’s Marketing Team.
12. Write About Someone or a Brand That Inspires You
We are products of who we read, listen and surround ourselves with. So look around you or think about your business and write about someone that has inspired you.
Example:
- I wrote about Joe Sugarman
- Story writing lessons from Zadie Smith
13. A Post Inspired by Research
Check places like PEW research and see some of the interesting findings.
Some might not be related to your industry, but look elsewhere until you find some. Then start writing.
Instead of asking what are the trending topics for content writing, ask what are trending research.
Then use the ones that apply to your business.
Examples:
- How to reduce social media use (written after reading research about how teens are struggling with mobile phone use)
14. Throw a Question at Your Audience and Collate the Best Answers
Ask an important question and let your audience provide solutions.
Brace yourself, though. You’re likely to get thousands of emails or responses depending on the size of your audience.
Example:
- 10 Life Lessons to Excel in Your 30s, a collection of life advice collected from active readers of a blog
15. X Rules of X
The truth about rules is that there are really not many rules, especially in business, life, writing, or anything requiring creativity. What works for A might not work for B.
However, what would you say if you were asked to create some things you would never compromise in your job, life, health, or business?
Yeah, those are worth writing about, and you can use them to engage your audience and emphasize why they should trust your brand.
Examples:
- 10 Rules of Writing, Zadie Smith
- How to be remarkable
16. Your Prediction For The Future
What do you think of the future of your industry?
It is hard to do because no one can predict the future, but be bold in your dealings and make your guess public.
Yes, some of them might not come true, and that’s the point. So permit yourself to be wrong with some of your guesses. (If all your guesses are wrong, maybe you should start a new business. Don’t you think?)
Examples:
- 10 things content writers do for business (now and in the future)
- Why ‘the future of AI is the future of work.’
Content Writing Ideas That Interest Buyers
The best content writing topics are those inspired by your readers. That said, you can look for inspiration in the ordinary or unrelated. I hope this list helps you to do that.
How to Come Up With Great Content Writing Topics Consistently
- Understand your audience. You can do that by doing keyword research, creating a survey, studying reports, staying active in communities where your audience spends their time, or hiring experienced niche writers to work for you.
- Do keyword research. You can read my guide on how to go about it.
- Understand the fundamentals of marketing. It’s not necessary, but it helps.
- Read the kind of writers, books, and blogs that inspire you. I curated 70 of the best blog posts I have read so that I can draw inspiration from them. Read good stuff.
- Sometimes, you have to have bad ideas before getting the good ones. Start with the ones you’re dying to write. I recommend this for every beginner. Writing is hard. Writing something that interests you will make it less hard.
Want to write any form of this content? Do not hesitate to reach out or check my service page.