What to write about when you have nothing to write about

Here we are and it is that time of the day where I update the good ol’ blog and respond to my loyal readers (or anyone who happens along) One tiny problem I can’t think of a single thing that I want to blog about.

Or maybe I have found my topic…

The birth of a topic

The little bit I wrote above took less than a minute from conception to typing it all out. In that little bit of time I came up with tonights topic “Blogging without a topic”. The title may very well change by the time I get finished with this, but I wanted you to see how a simple idea can give you a title which can launch you into the rest of the article.

We always need to ask ourselves some questions when we are brainstorming for a topic to write about.

What interests me?

If the topic you sit down to write about doesn’t interest you why waste your time writing it? Better yet, why waste the readers time with reading it. After all how through can you be when you aren’t interested in your own topic?

How much do I know about the topic?

Once you’ve decided on something that interests you the next step is to figure out what you know or don’t know about the topic. Do you know enough to write an article about it? Are you willing to research more about it if necessary? Do you have the resources and time to do the research?

Will it provide value to my readers?

Unlike John Cow who’s blog isn’t YOUR bitch I believe my responsibility is first and foremost to the readers of A Blog about Nothing. As such I want to ensure all of my articles can potentially provide some kind of value to my readers. It might be practical, humorous, or deadly serious. Whatever the topic might be if it doesn’t provide value to my readers it doesn’t provide any value to my blog.

Moving beyond the idea phase

If I had a dime for every time I’ve come up with a “great idea” that never went anywhere because I never moved beyond the initial idea stage I’d be a rich, rich man. Don’t let that happen to you. Once you’ve had the idea set out and get to work on it.

Writing the article

This is the most fun and important phase of the entire process. At least for me. This is the part where everything comes together.

Readers have their opinions too

Your readers will let you know immediately if your choosen topic provided them with value or not. Take a quick look at your comments. See the articles that have only 1 or 2 comments from readers? Those are the ones that didn’t provide any value. Don’t just look at how many comments you have, but also respond to them. Try and ask a question in each comment you leave as a reply. The more questions you ask the more of an opinion you’ll get from your readers.

See how easy it is to come up with a topic and write a quick dirty article about it?