The Ultimate List of Blog Post Ideas [2nd Edition]

Looking for blog post ideas? You’ve come to the right place.

You’ve found the Ultimate List of Blog Post Ideas, 2nd Edition.

NOTE: Don’t miss the “Blog Post Idea Multiplier“ section at the end of this post. It will show you how to multiply each of these blog post ideas by four.

This article is divided into eight sections, each representing a goal you might be trying to reach with your blog.

We’ve got an infographic version of this post as well as a text version. You can download a PDF version of the infographic here.

View the text sections of this article by clicking on one of the links below to view the blog post ideas from that section:

Let’s start with the infographic… (Click the image to enlarge or download the PDF version)

And here is the text version, including blog post idea examples…

Be Useful

These useful blog post ideas will endear you to your market and establish you and your business as the authority in your niche.

List Post

This is simply a list.

The list post is one of the simplest to put together and very versatile. Not to mention — people just love lists.

Create a list of books, tools, resources or any other thing that your market will find useful.

Watch this short video that will show you how to set up a list post…

How-To Post

The How-To Post is another staple blog post idea.

Describe how to execute a process and use images, video or audio to enrich the post and make it as easy as possible for your visitor to take action.

It can help to break the “how-to” information into steps, phases or categories.

Like this one…

Watch this short video that will show you how to set up a How-To post…

Case Study Post

The term “case study” carries more perceived value than the term article, blog post, or video.

Outline and unpack the details of something like a project, event or process.

Here’s an example from Optimizely called 3 Unexpected A/B Testing Lessons: A Small Business’s Story…

Problem/Solution Post

This type of post has an easy format:

Define a problem
Present the solution

This post can cross over into the territory of other blog post types such as the FAQ Post, How-To Post, or Checklist Post.

Research Post

Conducting your own primary research around a topic in your niche is one of the best ways to build blog content that gets attention.

That said, you can also simply curate research from third-parties and pull it together into an article, infographic, etc.

FAQ Post

If you get repeat questions from customers or prospects there is a good chance they are typing these same questions into Google and other search engines.

Create content around these topics.

SAQ Post

The Should Ask Question Post is a variation of the FAQ post. This is a question that customers or prospects don’t ask — but they should.

Checklist Post

If the content you are delivering can be broken into a “checklist” it will often perform better.

People like the checklist format because it’s easy to digest and take action when the content is itemized in this way.

Here’s an example from Ian Cleary at Razor Social called the 7 Point SEO Checklist For Your Blog…

Ultimate Guide Post

The ultimate guide post is just what it sounds like — a detailed, comprehensive post on a topic in your niche.

Don’t skimp here — take your time and deliver the definitive post on the topic.

Check out this example from KISS Metrics called The Ultimate Guide to SEO for E-Commerce Websites…

Definition Post

In niches where the market needs to be educated the definition post is an absolute must.

Consider creating a series of posts that define aspects of your niche.

You’ll get bonus points if you can logically define something in your niche in a way that is unique, unusual, or controversial.

Series Post

Look for opportunities to break a topic into a series that can be released each day over the course of a week or every Monday over the course of a month.

Link these articles together as you publish them.

Here’s an example of a series post from LA Fitness called The 90 Day Weight Loss Workout Plan – Part 3…

Stat RoundUp Post

This post (like the Research Post) works best when you can use statistics that you have produced.

That said, consider curating and pulling together stats from multiple locations to create a good statistics post.

Check out this Stat Roundup from Salesforce.com…

(NOTE: For even more on creating the Stat Round Up Post, check out The Content Engine Execution Plan — available right now for a limited time for $7!)

YouTube Cut Up

This is a high-value mix of content — there’s a little image, a little video, and a little text.

Find a video.

Super fast post to put together and creates high-value content.

Go out and look for a video that’s very popular.

Check out this example YouTube Cut Up from Survival Life.

(NOTE: Want to create a blog content plan in 60-seconds or less by filling in 5 simple blanks (yes, it’s really that simple)? Get instant access to the Blog Content Planner spreadsheet so you can track your plan, plus 55 different blog post ideas to get you started so your blog will never get stale. Check it out now.)

Be Generous

One of the easiest ways to grow your blog is to be generous by promoting other people. When you promote others they will promote you.

Here’s a number of ways to get it done…

Profile Post

Write a profile of an influential person in your niche.

Be sure to notify them via email, phone call or social media that you have profiled them — this way they will have an opportunity to share it.

Crowdsourced Post

Bring multiple influencers together to answer a single question in short form.

This post type leverages the authority of other experts and influencers. Simply ask three or more experts the same question and aggregate the answers into a single post.

When you get 10 influencers to give you 100 words each on a single topic you’ve got a powerful blog post.

The content is top notch, easy to put together and will be shared by many of these influential people.

Here’s an example of a crowdsourced blog post from Salesforce called How 10 Winning Salespeople Spend 15 Minutes Before a Sales Call…

Watch this short video that will show you how to set up a Crowdsourced post…

(NOTE: For even more on creating the Crowdsourced Post, check out The Content Engine Execution Plan — available right now for a limited time for $7!)

Interview Post

It’s surprising how willing even the most influential people are to give you an interview — even if you have a small audience on your blog.

Remember that the easiest way for an influencer to give you an interview is through audio — all they have to do is call you and start talking.

(NOTE: For even more on creating the Interview Post, check out The Content EngineExecution Plan — available right now for a limited time for $7!)

Link Roundup Post

This type of post can work well as a series that publishes once a month or once a week.

Curate, link to and provide a description of multiple pieces of content that your audience will find valuable.

Remember to notify those that you link to via email or social media to give yourself the maximum opportunity to get the post shared.

Check out this link roundup we did that collected great resources for ad retargeting…

Quote Post

People love quotes from influential people.

Pull together quotes from multiple influencers across a specific topic to create a “Quote Post.”

Again, if applicable — be sure to notify those that you quote that you have included them in your post.

Here’s an example from the folks at Unbounce called 20 Marketing Insights That Inspired Us In 2013…

(NOTE: For even more on creating the Quote Post, check out The Content EngineExecution Plan — available right now for a limited time for $7!)

Best of the Web Post

The Best of the Web Post often includes content, tools and other resources that you have curated, linked to and described.

Pick of the Week Post

This is a popular type of series post and is usually a relatively short blog post that describes a single piece of content, tool, or other resource that you have curated, linked to, and described.

People to Follow Post

Curate a list of influential people, describe them and provide links for your audience to connect with them through their website, social media channels, events, books, etc.

Content Aggregator

Why create new content when you can aggregate?

The Content Aggregator is a hybrid form of the list post that uses OPC — Other People’s Content.

Use a tool like Buzzsumo to find the most socially viral content on a given topic and aggregate it into one post.

Watch this short video that will show you how to set up a Content Aggregator post…

(NOTE: For even more on creating the Content Aggregator Post, check out The Content Engine Execution Plan — available right now for a limited time for $7!)

Be Entertaining

Creating entertaining content can be difficult but, if you can make it work, it can be a very effective type of blog post.

Here are the blog posts types that entertain…

Story Post

Create content that tells a story that would be entertaining to your market.

Some blogs only produce this type of content and others create a series around this type of blog post.

Satire Post

Be humorous through the use of irony or extreme exaggeration.

This kind of post works well where there are timely issues such as politics or sports.

Cartoon Post

This type of post works well as a series.

Create weekly or monthly cartoon posts that make your audience laugh and think about issues and events in your niche.

Here’s an example from Mark Schaeffer’s Businesses Grow blog called Getting iRate. A {growtoon}…

Meme Post

Memes are humorous pieces of content that spread virally across the web.

Create your own meme’s or pull together a curated set of memes from across the web.

Parody Post

Create a post that imitates a well-known person, product or media property in your niche. Be sure to exaggerate their strengths and shortcomings in your content.

Be Timely

It takes a commitment to stay timely in some niches but if you can pull it off — timely information is among the most effective blog content you can create.

If you find keeping up with the latest news and trends is too daunting of a task, consider creating a series of posts that publishes timely information once per week, as an example.

Here are 5 blog post ideas that are timely…

Review Post

Review a product, event or anything else you have access to while it is newsworthy.

For best results, be as honest as possible in your review rather than painting everything you review in a positive light.

Survey Post

Choose a newsworthy/trending topic and survey your audience about it using email, social media or in-person events.

Then, pull the results together into a blog post.

Here’s an example from Copyblogger called Copyblogger’s 2014 State of Native Advertising Report…

News Post

Look to create content on your blog about events as they are happening.

You don’t need to “break” the story but, for best results, be sure to add a perspective that your audience will find valuable or entertaining.

Trend Post

Some content creators are able to predict trends as they are happening.

If you’re a trendspotter, create content on your blog that rides that trend as it becomes popular.

Issue Post

Choose issues that affect your audience and create content about them while they are timely and relevant to them.

Be Human

Inspirational Post

Some of the most effective content on the web is neither informational or entertaining — it simply inspires.

This kind of post can work well as a Story Post, Profile Post, or Quote Post among others.

Holiday Post

Some blogs go dormant on popular holidays while others use the opportunity to deliver well-wishes to their audience and display their humanity.

Guard Down Post

Some of the best content on the web is created by a content creator that lets their guard down by delivering a deeply personal experience that the audience can relate to.

Here’s an example from Jason Falls at Social Media Explorer called The $10 Difference…

Behind the Scenes Post

If you have a loyal following they will want to see what goes on behind the scenes of the content that you can create.

This post from Buffer is a great example of a Behind the Scenes post done right.

Off-Topic Post

This can be risky, but if you have a loyal following that has become accustomed to you covering a specific set of topics — this kind of post can shock them and receive a great response.

Test it.

Rant Post

The rant post shows your human side by revealing your passion and anger about a topic that is relevant to your audience.

It’s not for everyone but the right blog and the right audience will respond well to a rant.

Here’s an example rant post from Frank Kern called YOU: The Best Guru Ever…

Be Promotional

Some organizations use their blogs in a promotional way. This can work very well for the right company.

Here are the blog post ideas that are promotional…

Comparison Post

Create a post that compares the features and benefits of your product to competitive solutions.

For best results and to build trust, include cases where your product IS NOT the best solution.

Here’s an example from River Pools and Spas called Which is Best: Fiberglass, Concrete, or Vinyl Liner?

Project Showcase Post

Use your blog to outline a specific project you or your organization is working on currently or has completed.

Show the process and share results if possible.

Income Report Post

Open the books and show your audience a breakdown of the money you and your organization are making.

Here’s an example from Pat Flynn at Smart Passive Income called My Monthly Income Report – March 2014…

Company Update Post

Use your blog to let your customers and prospects know of new employee hires, acquisitions, or major contracts.

Here’s an example from the folks over at Buffer App called Buffer November Update: $2,347,000 run rate, 1,189,000 users…

Presentation Post

Publish presentations given by employees that contain interesting and valuable content for your audience.

Best of Post

Create a blog post that pulls together the most popular blog posts you have published over a period of time.

Check out this post we did rounding up all our best resources on Facebook advertising…

Product Update Post

If you have rabid fans of your products and services you might be surprised at how well a post on new product/new feature announcements will do on your blog.

Product Tips Post

This post type is both promotional and useful and is very powerful for the right blog and audience.

Create content that helps your customers be more successful with your product or service.

TIP: Prospects will read these too.

Be Controversial

You can get a lot of action on controversial posts — just make sure it fits with your brand.

Here are blog post ideas that are controversial…

What If Post

This type of blog post speculates on what would happen if…

The success of this type of post rests on your ability to choose a “what if” that is interesting and debatable.

Debate Post

Use your blog to present one side of a debatable argument… or find someone that disagrees with you and present both sides in the same post.

Attack Post

Be careful with this one but picking a fight with the right person/organization/event, etc will force your audience to choose sides and draw lots of attention.

This type of post, when done right, will create enemies of some and die hard fans of others.

Here’s an example attack post from Defective by Design called An Open Letter to Steve Jobs…

Prediction Post

If you take a debatable and speculative approach, a prediction post can get a great response.

Reaction Post

Use your blog to react to content created by someone else. For example, the content might be a blog post, book or presentation.

Embed Reactor

This is the fastest way (that I know of) to create top shelf content — with speed.

Find an embeddable video (think YouTube), Slideshare presentation or infographic (check out visual.ly.) Bonus points if the video, Slideshare or infographic is already popular.

Embed it in your blog post.

Write a reaction underneath.

Done.

The title of these posts is usually a variation of the title of the resource you are embedding.

(Check out this infographic reactor we ran with an infographic originally from Buffer.)

Watch this short video that will show you how to set up an Embed Reactor post…

(NOTE: For even more on creating the Embed Reactor Post, check out The Content Engine Execution Plan — available right now for a limited time for $7!)

Be Engaging

While engagement isn’t necessarily the end goal, it pays to create an engaged audience on your blog.

Here are blog post ideas that increase engagement…

Question Post

Curate and answer questions your audience asks in social media, on forums or in the comments section of your blog.

Here’s an example from Bob Burg called The Rope of Leadership and Influence…

Answer Post

The Answer Post is the sister of the Question Post.

In this post type, you will simply ask a question and allow your audience to answer it in your comments section. This type of post is generally very short, allowing your audience to create the bulk of the content.

Challenge Post

Use a blog post to pose a challenge to your audience.

This post can work well as a series with updates being made that feature audience members that are participating in the challenge.

Customer Showcase Post

This blog post type is partly promotional but also builds engagement.

Use your blog to feature a customer or a project you have worked on with the customer.

Freebie Post

Use a blog post to allow your audience to get access to a relevant giveaway.

Contest Post

Announce a contest on your blog.

This post can work well as a series as well with updates being made featuring contest results.

Here’s an example from Elegant Themes called Introducing the Winners of Our Customer Showcase Contest…

Now… let’s take a look at how to take one of the ideas above and multiply it by four…

The Blog Post Idea Multiplier

There are four different formats to deliver content on the web:

Text – Text articles are still the most common format for delivering content on the web.
Images – Image posts can be delivered via infographics, cartoons/drawings, charts/graphs or through still photography.
Video – Video blog posts can be delivered numerous ways including talking-head style, using a screencast program or presentation style.
Audio – Audio blog posts can be delivered via podcast or simply by embedding an audio player on a web page.

Most of the blog post ideas in this article can be delivered in any of the 4 formats above.

Choosing a blog post idea is a two-step process…

Step 1 – Choose a blog post topic or idea
Step 2 – Choose a delivery format

For example, you might choose…

An FAQ Post (idea) delivered via video (format).

-OR-

A People To Follow Post (idea) delivered via image (format).