Blogging and content writing may come easy to some writers, but perhaps not so much for everyone! With practice, anyone can create an engaging blog. However, a big difference between engaging posts and that which struggle is the level of blog research involved.
You may well be an authority in your field on the things you wish to write about. However, with wider reading, you can create genuinely engaging pieces which inform and fascinate. But what is the best way to do blog research? Are there tips you can use regardless of your topic? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
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Struggling with Ideas? Use Online Tools
Regardless of whom you are aiming to write for, you may come across writer’s block from time to time. Thankfully, there are a wealth of tools available online for you to pick and choose from so that you can pinpoint which ideas and topics people want to read about.
The best, in our opinion, is Google’s Trends feature, which you can use to analyse search terms and phrases relevant to your needs. You can also use this blog research tool to see what people are searching for and talking about most of all. This could be an excellent way for you to spin a time-sensitive article.
Spy on the Competition
A golden rule when researching for blog posts is not to worry too much about the ideas you borrow and steal! Checking in on what similar blogs in your field are talking about or what works for your direct competitors is highly recommended.
This way, you can look directly at how they are encouraging and interacting with their public. You may also even be able to take a few ideas from some of their post topics. However, the rule added to borrowing ideas is not to plagiarise.
Plagiarism arises when you copy ideas and text outright and claim it to be your own. The best thing to do, we feel, is to see which ideas and topics inspire you the most and to put your spin on it. Alternatively, think about how your niche or audience will respond to a particular idea offered up in a certain way.
Plan Ahead for Blog Research
For the blogger who is genuinely passionate about investing in content or working with content writing services, planning is a must-do. You can go as far as mapping out your potential audiences. You could make sure you have topics lined up for each month of content and focus on evergreen writing.
Evergreen content isn’t time-sensitive and will be relevant for years to come. Consider evergreen topics which have plenty of value for a variety of people. Cross-reference your competitors’ blogs, and check in to see what your visitors are likely to be talking about the most. With this strategy in mind, blog research should become a whole lot easier and more satisfying for you in the bargain. Your readers will thank you for it, too!
