No matter what kind of content you intend to create, sometimes the ideas just don't come. Live streams, blog posts, articles, Instagram/Facebook/Snapchat stories, posts, short-form or long-form media — it can all seem like too much sometimes. Staring at a blank screen when you desperately want to create content and serve your audience can be stressful.
If you are ready to get visible but you feel unclear about what you can talk about, you are in the right place!
The list below is one I brainstormed with a client who wanted to start live streaming and didn't know what to talk about. While we were thinking about live video, you'll notice that the ideas can often be used in other types of content delivery as well.
It includes proven idea starters to help you get out of your slump and into prolific content creation quickly. Keep reading for ideas that will catalyze your content creation, so that you never run out of ideas and you can turn strangers into raving fans quickly.
Things to consider prior to making your list: Know your audience. Some of these ideas will not work for you. It is a pretty big list. Pick the ideas that are the most authentic to you and serve your audience in the best ways.
Answer Frequently Asked Questions
Think through the questions you have been asked and answer them. It really can be that simple.
1 – Answer questions you receive from your prospects and clients.
2 – Answer questions you receive in a Facebook or LinkedIn group that you manage or are a member of.
3 – Answer questions you have posted to start conversations in groups: answer them yourself.
4 – Create an “Ask _____” form on your site. Pick the best questions and answer them in whatever medium works for you. Here is an example: How to Get Past Feeling “Lame” When Promoting What You Do
Share Your Expertise
5 – Think of a common problem your clients have. Name the 3 stages of that problem and the solutions for each stage.
6 – What barriers stand in the way of your clients? Talk about the barriers to a common goal and how to get past those barriers.
7 – Talk about 3 things to avoid when doing X and 3 things to do instead.
8 – Discuss how to get more benefit out of X.
9 – Discuss how to get reduce pain when doing X.
10 – Bust a myth and share the reality of doing or experiencing X.
11 – Talk about the 3 reasons and benefits for doing X.
12 – Talk about a common problem, diagnose it, and then state the perfect cure.
13 – Think of something that drives you nuts and then perform a rant.
14 – 7 quick tips on X.
15 – Select a common goal your audience has and then break that goal down into manageable steps.
16 – Share a “secret.”
17 – You know that trap that people get stuck in all of the time? Share the trap to X, how to get out and how to avoid it.
18 – Think about why “it” does not work. Talk about a choice that many people make that fails and why it fails.
19 – Interview a client and share their success story.
20 – Interview a colleague that has knowledge that will benefit your community.
21 – Think of a topic that your audience wants to accomplish and share a step-by-step how-to get started.
22 – Live stream (or video record to share later) your speech, presentation, or workshop as you give it to an audience
23 – Discuss why you do a certain thing differently than most.
Give Your Perspective on a Success Quote
24 – Share your favorite success quote/mantra and how you have applied its meaning along your journey in life.
25 – Expand on a success quote and how it ties to the work that you do.
26 – Debunk a success quote and talk about why you disagree with it.
Share Your Journey or Something About You
27 – Share a story of a time in your journey where you encountered a major challenge or obstacle. Take us to that time in your life and tell us that story, and share your lessons learned.
28 – What is your worst entrepreneurial moment? Take us to that moment in time. What did you learn?
29 – Share a story of a time in your journey of being a professional when you had a “wow” moment. That moment where you knew you were really excelling in your professional and personal roles. Take us back to that moment and share with us how that moment came about and the steps you took to turn that into a more successful life.
30 – What is one thing that is really exciting for you in your business/career right now? What is one thing that is really exciting to you in your family right now? Share that.
31 – What is the best business/career advice you have ever received? What was the situation, what was the advice and how did it help you? Share it.
32 – What is the best life advice you have ever received? How did it help you?
33 – Was there a point in your own journey when you started to question some of the rules or beliefs that were handed down to you from people from your past, (parents, teachers, partners, leaders)? What did you do?
34 – How did you get started doing what you do?
35 – How do you define success? How is it the same or different from what others in your industry share?
36 – Share a personal story and tie it back to what you do for your business.
37 – Tell us the story of your first client! (Don't share identifying information unless you have permission.)
38 – What I learned from … (reading a book, attending a conference, taking a class, launching a program, etc.).
39 – Pick a theme and then share lessons you have learned on that theme.
40 – Pick a controversial topic and take a stand.
41 – Talk about the best investments you’ve ever made and why they were the best.
Share Your Success Habits or Behind the Scenes Adventures
42 – You probably have more than one success habit in your business and your life. What are they? You could create “list content” (like this post) or pick one habit and dive deep into what it is and why it works.
43 – It is said that the first moments in your day are the most important, so share with us your morning routine. Walk us through how you set yourself up for success each day.
44 – What has been your biggest challenge in finding balance or success in your different roles? How did you overcome that challenge?
45 – How do you stay motivated throughout the day?
46 – 3 warning signs of X and what to do instead.
47 – Discuss a practice you enjoy that helps you recover from setbacks, from those days where it feels like everything has gone wrong.
48 – Talk about something that you are in the middle of accomplishing and your thoughts/observations to date.
49 – Share the behind-the-scenes as you get ready to go on stage, run a webinar, record a podcast, etc. You could share your personal feelings, tech setup, how you prepare, etc.
50 – Practice or prep for your real in-person speech by doing it live for your community first – you could even ask for feedback to make it collaborative and better.
51 – Share what you learned today, at the end of a workshop you attended or at the end of reading a book.
52 – Share your mistakes and what you learned from them along the way
53 – Talk about what you would tell your younger self.
54 – Share your nighttime routine.
Share Your Favorite Resources and Tools
55 – What is ONE resource, tool, or book that you use or have read that has been life-changing in your personal or business life that you want to share? Go into detail about the resource and why you like it.
56 – Share the setup at your office or studio
57 – Let your community look over your shoulder as you set up your technology, systems, e-mail funnel, etc
58 – Share an event or conference. Be sure to ask the event host for permission first.
59 – Interview people on their favorite takeaways from an event.
Talk About What Not to Do
60 – Talk about the things the reader/viewer should not do when working with someone in your field of work. For example, “what not to do when working with a graphic designer on a design upgrade.”
61 – Name 3 common mistakes in your niche and what to do instead.
Break Down Your Products and Programs
62 – Take one problem you solve in your products or programs and talk about it with a call to action at the end to get your product/program.
Tie onto Current Events or the Calendar
63 – What current events can tie to your area of expertise? (e.g. Plumbers sharing tips on avoiding frozen pipes, sports psychologists talking about the mindset of success for Super Bowl champs) Share and make the tie.
64 – Read/quote the news and then share commentary on what you have quoted.
65 – What calendar events tie to your area of expertise? (e.g. Get Organized month in January for professional organizers or Tax Day for accountants) Share about that special date and give some tips.
Share Your Personal Side
The following ideas are more effective in live stream videos where your brand is a personal brand.
66 – Record a live video and talk with your community while you are cooking dinner.
67 – Share your favorite place to work in, relax in, etc. on a live video. Talk about why it's your favorite.
68 – Show off your adorable pet and if it can do tricks, share that too.
69 – Share a movie or book review
70 – Share a special talent that you find fun.
71 – Share your adventures in foreign countries, cities across the world, your backyard, cultural events, neighborhood happenings, etc.
72 – Share what inspires you.
Your Turn!
What suggestions do you have for creating engaging content in live video, blogs, or other content delivery? Comment and share it below!
Until we talk again,
Live Fully — Love Openly — Laugh Often — Leverage Your Brilliance — Connect Authentically — Get Your Message Out — Serve with Impact — Prosper Everyday
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