I know most Stampin’ Up! demonstrators have no problem posting a blog entry showing their newest card creation.
However, you can capture the dedicated attention of additional readers if you post more than just card samples. And you can focus on attracting the attention of readers who are not currently Stampin’ Up! customers (or demonstrators).
But what do you do when you sit down to WRITE a blog post and it feels like your (idea) bucket is completely empty? What on earth could you blog about?
Well, there are two steps you can start right NOW to make sure you never face an empty bucket:
1. Identify what you will use as your bucket
2. Identify ways you can fill that bucket
Step 1 – Grab a Bucket!
You need a bucket to hold your ideas. You need a super convenient way to capture ideas that float randomly into your head. Your bucket can be as simple as a notebook that you keep with you or an app on your phone.
Personally, I use an app called Evernote. Here’s a glimpse of my list of headlines that are clever…more about why I capture clever headlines in a bit. Each of the links in my note are clickable in Evernote so I can later reread the blog article that caught my attention.
Evernote works on all my devices (handheld and computer). Guess how much the basic version is? It’s FREE! There’s a bit of a learning curve to use some of the really neat features, but you can start a notebook of blogging ideas without much trouble. I love it because I can even make voice recordings of my thoughts.
Step 2 – Fill that Bucket!
Regardless of whether you use a high-tech or low-tech bucket, you need to fill it up with ideas. So how do you collect some blogging ideas?
Listen
When you are teaching a class or demonstrating at a workshop, listen to what people are saying. If you notice someone is frustrated with a technique or tool, you’ve stumbled on an idea for a blog post. If someone wonders how you come up with your card ideas, there’s another idea to capture!
Read and Adapt
Read non-crafty blog headlines with an eye for how you can adapt it for your crafty blog. This blog headline caught my eye, How to Learn to Ride a Bike in 15 Minutes. How could this turn into a stamping blog idea? Well, what about How to Make a Birthday Card in 15 Minutes? And this headline was intriguing to me, What’s the Best Advice You Ever Received? Twist it around for your blog, The Best Stamping Advice I Ever Learned.
Keep Track of Questions
Remember if someone asks you a question, chances are good that someone else is wondering about the answer too. And if you are asked the same question two or three times, then this is a great idea for a blog post.
Ready, Set, GO!
Ready to start filling your bucket? Here’s my affiliate link to Evernote in case you want to go the high tech route. Remember, the basic version (which has lots of great features) is completely free! Otherwise grab your notebook and your pen, and start jotting down your ideas.