10 Ways to Spark New Content Ideas When You’re Blocked

We’ve all been there… Staring at a blank screen, waiting for inspiration to strike, but nothing comes. Creative blocks are beyond frustrating, especially when your business depends on a steady stream of fresh content. It’s happened to me more times than I can count. Luckily, I’ve found plenty of effective ways to get the juices flowing again and spark new content ideas.

Ready to kick those blocks to the curb for good? Here are ten tried-and-true methods to get your content game back on track.

How to Ditch the Drought and Make it Rain New Content Ideas

1. Use ChatGPT Prompts

As a writer, I wasn’t a fan of ChatGPT when it first hit the market. In fact, I was a certified hater. But that was before I learned how to make it work for me. Now, ChatGPT is the best unpaid intern I could’ve asked for. When you’re stuck, ChatGPT can serve as your own personal brainstorming buddy. Sometimes, all you need is a little AI nudge to break out of an idea rut.

You can ask ChatGPT anything you want, so don’t be shy. Start by telling it everything you can think of about your brand, style, tone of voice, and target audience. Then, prompt away! Even if you don’t love the answers you get, they’re bound to spark ideas and angles you might not have thought of on your own. 

Here are some examples of ChatGPT prompts I use when I need help with new content ideas: 

• List trending topics in [your industry] in [current month, year]. 
• List specific questions my audience might have that someone in my industry can help with.
• List blog topic ideas related to [categories] that would appeal to my target audience.
• Share Instagram reel ideas my target audience would be interested in that make sense for my brand. 
• Use this [podcast transcript/video script/blog post/etc.] to come up with new questions my target audience might have after [reading/watching/listening]. 

2. Repurpose Old Content

Let your old content be the gift that keeps on giving! Digging into your archives can remind you of past gems that could use a refresh or a new spin. Did you write a blog post last year that performed well? Try turning it into a video or a carousel post for Instagram. Or take an old how-to post and revamp it with the latest tips or industry updates. 

You could even copy/paste your old content into ChatGPT and ask it to generate questions left unanswered or related ideas to use for inspiration. Repurposing your content is an amazing time-saver, but it’s also a great way to reinforce key messages your audience may have missed the first time around.

3. Schedule Blocks of Time for Content Ideation

As someone who lives by a to-do list, it’s hard for me to find time for tasks without carving it out first. If you’re scrambling for new content ideas because you’re waiting until you need them to magically appear in your head, you’re doing it wrong. 

Instead, schedule dedicated time for content ideation each month. During that time, you can research trends, brainstorm, and write down your ideas. Creating a consistent schedule can help prevent creative blocks and ensure you always have a well of ideas in the bank.

4. Start an Ideas Journal

One of the best ways to capture inspiration as it strikes is to start an ideas journal. If you’re like me, it could even be a page in your phone’s notes app. For some reason, I always get my most brilliant ideas at night when I’m trying to fall asleep. Whenever this happens, I grab my phone and quickly jot it down so I can come back to it later. 

I can’t recommend this enough, especially if you’re someone whose brain tends to move a million miles a minute. The idea doesn’t have to be fully formed; just a quick sentence or keyword to spark your memory. Over time, you’ll have a collection of ideas you can pull from whenever you’re feeling stuck. 

5. Change Your Environment

There’s nothing like a change of scenery to shake things up, and you might be surprised at just how effective it can be. When you’re stuck in the same space day after day, it’s easy for your creativity to feel stale. I love my home office, but I can only look at that sage green wall for so long and still come up with fresh new ideas. 

Head to a coffee shop, try working from a library, or even spend the day in a nearby town. If it’s nice out, bring your ideas journal to a park and work there for a few hours. Switching up your environment is a great way to help you see things from a new perspective and inspire you.

6. Try Something New

Creativity thrives on new experiences, so one of the best ways to spark new content ideas when you’re blocked is to get outside your comfort zone. Give your mind a total break from work and do something you’ve never done before. 

Try goat yoga, visit a rage room, take a pottery class, or experience a sound bath. Doing something new, and even a little uncomfortable, is a great way to clear your mind and bring fresh insights to the table. Bonus points if you plan a content ideation session for the next day! 

7. Check Out Your Competitors

When you’re in desperate need of inspo, your competitors can be a goldmine. Spend some time researching what they’re doing right in the areas you’re struggling with. Look at their recent blog posts, TikTok videos, Instagram reels, and even their audience’s comments. 

Which posts are getting high engagement? What topics are resonating with their followers? What are they doing that you’re not? Once you figure it out, use these ideas to inspire similar (or better!) ideas that you can adapt for your own brand. 

8. Get Inside the Heads of Your Audience

Your audience is constantly sharing valuable insights through comments, messages, and feedback. Take a look at the comments on your recent posts or even go through your DMs. What are they curious about? What questions do they have? 

Understanding what your audience cares about can inspire new content ideas that directly address their current interests and needs. When you create authentic, valuable content that speaks to them, it builds trust and community. 

9. Stop Spreading Yourself Too Thin

Some of my most brutal creative blocks have come from burnout. If you’ve been feeling blocked for a while, it might be time to take a step back and assess everything on your plate. Business owners wear a lot of hats, but trying to do everything yourself can be a serious drain. 

Consider what tasks you can delegate to a team member or outsource to a freelancer. Whether it’s social media management or administrative work, lightening your load can free up mental space and allow you to focus on the areas you shine in.

10. Outsource Your Content Marketing

If you’re truly stuck (and it’s not the first time), bringing in an outsider’s perspective can make a massive difference. Hiring a content marketer, freelance writer, or creative consultant can add fresh ideas and perspectives to your brand’s content. 

A third party can see things you might miss and bring new ideas that align with your brand’s goals. Outsourcing content creation, even temporarily, can give you the creative boost you need to get past your block and ensure that your brand’s content remains strong and engaging.

Final Thoughts

Creative blocks are inevitable, but they don’t have to derail your content strategy. Next time you’re stuck, try out a few of these tips to reignite your inspiration. Who knows, you might just need to start an ideas journal or roll out a yoga mat with some goats to get your groove back. 

With a few strategic tweaks, you’ll be back to coming up with awesome new content ideas in no time. These tips have all worked for me, so I’m confident they can help you too. You’ve got this! Need a content partner who can help? Reach out and let’s talk about how we can achieve your goals together.