8 useful writing prompts for when you can’t think of anything to blog about
Feeling stuck? 8 writing prompts to bust through writer's block
Ever stared at your blank screen, hoping for words to magically appear, only to find your creative well has run dry? We've all been there. The dreaded writer's block – a blogger's worst nightmare. You've got that weekly promise to your readers hanging over your head, and the cursor just blinks back at you, taunting your lack of inspiration.
But before you consider throwing in the towel and abandoning your beloved blog, fear not! I’m here with a lifebuoy of creativity: 8 supercharged writing prompts that will have you typing away in no time. The best part? You can use them again and again, and your readers will be none the wiser about yesterday's creative drought.
Let's dive into these prompts that will not only rescue your blog but also supercharge your other content, from Instagram posts to emails. Plus, if you ever need help repurposing your content or just want to chat about conquering writer's block, I've got your back as a creative coach and mentor. So, let's get those creative juices flowing and bid farewell to writer's block for good!
1. List your ‘top 5’s’
Everyone loves a list. It’s easier to read, it gets straight to the point, and provides immediate value.
In fact, you could write a list of more (or less) than 5 points, the idea is just to have a number of helpful points that your audience will love:
My top 5 second-hand thrift shops in Surrey.
7 tools I couldn’t live without in my small business
My top 10 favourite veg to grow in March
4 easy habits to adopt for making self-care stick
It really can be something as simple as your favourite singers, and you can easily come up with endless amount of lists whenever you have nothing to say.
2. Talk about the news
Anything grabbing your attention in the news at the moment? Talk to your audience about it via a blog - Why four day working weeks are going to save your business.
You could even incorporate your numbered lists into this type of blog post too:
3 reasons why four day working weeks are going to save your business
Pick a topic that is current, or being talked about in social media or the news and apply it to your small business. Your readers will love that you’re keeping up to date with the ‘goings-on’ in the world, but they’ll also just love to know your opinion on the subject.
3. This month I've....
Write a round-up of what you’ve been up to this month. This is a fab blend of personal and professional, and allows your readers to get to know you a bit better.
Our readers love that we’re real humans, so providing them with a little behind the scenes of our freelance businesses is a perfect way to build rapport.
You could write about what you’re working on this month, what you’ve prioritised in your personal life, or create a monthly diary-like round up of how you’ve grown in your business.
Whatever it is you write about, a monthly series will leave your readers wanting more, and looking forward to the next instalment.
4. One of your values
Whether a personal or business value, our lives, and everything we do, are built on our values.
Not only is it a good idea to keep yourself accountable to your values, making sure you’re aligning with them, it’s also fantastic to share them with your readers so that they know what it is exactly that you stand for.
Pick one, or share all of your values. Discuss them and invite your readers to discuss them and share theirs in the comments. This is also a great way to make sure you’re building a shared-interest community. Here’s my values in case you were wondering…
5. A day in the life...
I don’t know about you, but I’m super nosey. I love learning about what other’s do in their day to day lives, especially in their businesses.
Your audience will love this too! This leads nicely on from point 3, people love being nosey, and they often want MORE from their favourite small business owners. Writing a day in the life post is a terrific way of doing that!
If you write about slow living, share how you personally live a slower life. If you’re passionate about your photography, take your audience on a ‘day in the life of a wedding photographer’ as you prepare for, or photograph a wedding.
6. An interview
Interviews are a fantastic way to add a different perspective for your readers to consume.
Not only are interviews a great way to connect with other professionals and network, but they’ll grow your readership too by sharing the interview between both audiences.
They show that interesting people want to speak to you and they add amazing value to your business, especially if you interview someone who has a unique perspective on a topic relevant to your business.
Find someone who shares a similar target audience to you, and reach out and ask if they’d like to collaborate.
For example, if you sell earrings, why not reach out to a small business who sell jewellery boxes? Or if you have your own children’s wall art business, could you reach out to a business that specialises in bespoke toy boxes? If you run a coaching business for female entrepreneurs, could you interview a branding expert to share their top tips to help entrepreneurs grow their brand?
7. A checklist of advice
If you’re an expert in something, sharing your advice is always a good shout for your readers.
Are you a social media specialist? Then why not share a checklist of do’s and don’ts when publishing an Instagram post?
If you sell candles, write about how to take care of your candle so that it lasts longer.
It can be something as easy as sharing your self care checklist, but it will provide immense value to your readers, and give you something to write about when you’ve ran out of ideas.
8. The Weather (or the Seasons)
Brits are obsessed with the weather - it affects our productivity, mood, and sense of purpose, so talk about it!
Talk about how the weather is affecting your business, and how you adapt your work depending on the weather or the seasons.
If you suffer badly with hay fever, then write about the steps you’ve taken to keep showing up in your business, despite the increasing pollen count. If the summer holidays are a struggle with childcare (when are they not?!), talk about how you prepare yourself and adapt your business hours to fit around your family life.
Not only will your readers find your tips useful, they’ll learn that they’re not alone, and that other people (you) struggle too. Showing your human-ness is always a good idea.
There you have it – eight powerful prompts to obliterate writer's block from your blogging life. Remember, even the most prolific writers face moments of creative drought. The key is to keep the ink flowing, whether it's through sharing your top 5 favourites, diving into current events, or giving your readers a glimpse behind the scenes.
So, the next time your mind draws a blank, don't panic. Reach for these prompts like a seasoned wordsmith, and watch your blog come to life once more. The beauty of these prompts is that they're versatile – they can breathe life into your Instagram posts, spark engaging email campaigns, or even form the basis for your next viral tweet.
And if you ever find yourself in need of more guidance, content repurposing strategies, or just a friendly chat about writing, don't hesitate to get in touch. I’m here to help you shine as a writer and content creator.
Now, armed with these prompts, go forth and conquer the blogging world. Your readers are waiting for your next masterpiece, and with these prompts in your arsenal, writer's block will be nothing but a distant memory.
Happy writing!
I’d love to know about your experience with writer’s block, and how you over came it. Do you have any writing prompts that you use when the writing just won’t flow? Let me know in the comments below.
With love,
Laura x
If you enjoyed reading this blog post, here’s a few more that you may find useful for your creative small business: