Online Writing: How to Find Article Ideas

If you've been writing online for a while, you know it can be hard to generate fresh article ideas. Usually I have no problem thinking up topics for my online writing, but I often go through some dry spells when things just aren't flowing. In my experience, the more I write, the more I want to write, so I try to keep up a schedule of online writing to avoid feeling frustrated, or blocked. Sometimes I need a little boost to find ideas to write about, so I've developed a few tips that inspire me. Here are a few ways I find article ideas for online writing.

Article Ideas for Online Writing: Everyday Life

When especially stuck for article ideas for online writing, I challenge myself to look at the smallest details of my day for inspiration. I keep a blank pad of paper handy during the day; this could be a small notebook that fits in a purse or bag, or a larger pad that stays by my writing desk. As the day goes on, I jot down ideas that occur to me, not censoring myself in any way. Later, I'll look back through the list and decide which article ideas for online writing I'll develop into full-fledged articles.

You'd be amazed at how many intriguing article ideas an ordinary day can bring. What you saw, heard, or experienced in a given day can all be article ideas for online writing. The secret to generating article topics is not to censor too much. For example, I recently saw a TV commercial that was so ridiculous and embarrassing that I couldn't believe the cheesiness, and I felt a bit bad for the celebrity starring in the advertisement. Immediately, I thought of an article about the stupidest TV commercials of the year.

In a similar vein, I saw a story about one of the stars of the reality show The Bachelor. It made me wonder, what happened to the other "Bachelors" after their shows were over, and could that be an article idea? I challenge you to take out your handy pad of Associated Content article ideas and brainstorm some rough article ideas for online writing that arise from your day to day experience. There's inspiration in the most mundane details of daily life that can be spun into interesting articles for sites like Associated Content.

Article Ideas for Online Writing: Google Trends

I've recently started looking at Google Trends when I've been searching for some fresh article ideas for online writing. I love to write about topics that are personally meaningful or interesting to me, even if those articles don't receive a lot of page views. However, a while ago I had the bright idea to write about NCCA tournament brackets; I don't write a lot about sports but this topic seemed fun and timely. I was really surprised when my article about free printable NCCA brackets received so many page views on Associated Content during March Madness.

Sure enough, I happened to discover that "NCCA tournament brackets" was a hot search term on Google Trends. So now I look at Google Trends to see if there is anything I can write about that is a hot search term. In my online writing, I've written a few celebrity stories and there has been a lot of interest in these articles. If you're stuck for inspiration, scan Google Trends or Yahoo Buzz to see what people want to read about; perhaps there's an idea for online writing in Google Trends. I've noticed free printables are always hot, and people love to read about current events, celebrity stories and of course, sports!

Article Ideas for Online Writing: Professions and Hobbies

Your daily work, profession and hobbies can certainly provide an abundance of article ideas for online writing. Whatever your field, be it law, medicine, business or other professions, there is a treasure trove of ideas for articles just waiting to be mined. If you're between jobs, hunting for a job during the recession, or taking a temporary job, this also gives you tons of great things to write about. People want to read about careers, employment, making money and saving money, and these are always great article ideas for online writing at Associated Content and other writing sites.

I often write about online writing, what sites I write for and how to increase my earnings as a content writer and these articles are always of interest. If you have interesting hobbies or passions, these are often inspiration for fascinating articles, too. For example, if you are a Reiki practitioner, you could write about how to become a Reiki Master, benefits of Reiki, how to find Reiki training and the list goes on and on.

Article Ideas for Online Writing: Local Activities and Events

When all else fails and you just can't come up with another article idea, ask yourself: what's going on in my community that I can write about? I've been surprised how many page views I've received for Associated Content articles written about local events. Your town or city is actually a destination for someone else, so consider becoming a "local" travel writer. There is always something going on in your community and local stories can provide an endless source of fresh article ideas for online writing.

Article Ideas for Online Writing: Write Your Passions

If you are blocked and stuck for a subject to write about for sites like Associated Content, your passion can be a source of article ideas for online writing. What makes you angry, sad or happy in life, and what current events or causes provoke strong emotional responses inside you? Write some articles about them!

I recently had the opportunity to combine writing about local events with writing about my passions. I've always loved animals, especially cats and horses, and in recent years I've been interested in animal rescue organizations. I discovered a wonderful equine rescue organization in Chatham, New York called Equine Advocates that operates an equine sanctuary called Safe Home Equine Rescue & Sanctuary. I became so inspired after visiting Safe Home on their Open Day, that I came home and wrote a profile about this nonprofit and their equine sanctuary. This article I published on Associated Content was a great success and I feel inspired to include more animal rescue articles in my online writing.

There are an abundance of ideas for online writing at your fingertips you can spin into article gold! Hopefully, these tips will inspire you to generate some fresh article topics that can be developed into your next series of Associated Content articles.

Sources:

http://www.associatedcontent.com

http://www.google.com/trends

http://www.equineadvocates.org