Last week, I was a guest on Aaron Kilby’s #MediaChat Twitter Chat., talking about “Getting Unstuck: How to Find Ideas for your Blogging and Social Media Content.”
Here are the questions and my answers from the chat, as well as some of the tweets from the community.
Q1) @WriteOnOnline What causes people to get stuck with their writing? #MediaChat
— #MediaChat (@Media_Chat) August 11, 2017
A1 People overthink things. They get too much in their head trying to be perfect. No such thing. #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
Yes! Perfect is the enemy of done. #mediachat https://t.co/7aEvSAvEwV
— Anh Nguyen (@AnhTNguyen) August 11, 2017
A1 I think we get stuck when we try to do things the right way. We get caught up in the business and miss the creativity. #mediachat https://t.co/CEFEODxZrL
— Melissa Reyes (@MizMeliz) August 11, 2017
Q2) @WriteOnOnline How do you recommend people generate ideas? #MediaChat
— #MediaChat (@Media_Chat) August 11, 2017
A2 Brainstorm. Write down everything you can think of, related to your specialty. And keep a running list of the best ideas! #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
A2: Writing about an idea helps me figure out supporting ideas that stem from one.
Brainstorming helps, too.#MediaChat.— Narmadhaa (@s_narmadhaa) August 11, 2017
A2. Ideas come to light when I’m NOT thinking about coming up with a topic or ideas. LOL For example, in shower or while driving #mediachat
— Anh Nguyen (@AnhTNguyen) August 11, 2017
Here it is. https://t.co/G6VRtVwQm3 #mediachat
— Anh Nguyen (@AnhTNguyen) August 11, 2017
Q3) @WriteOnOnline What are your favorite tools for the creative process? #MediaChat
— #MediaChat (@Media_Chat) August 11, 2017
A3. A journal or document to keep your list of topics, And a timer for 15-minute brainstorming sessions. #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
A3. A timer is really my favorite tool for anything: https://t.co/c3taPwwiLZ #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
A3) I store my ideas in a doc folder called the “refrigerator.” Hopefully they won’t spoil before I use them.#mediachat
— Stephanie Kruk (@stephanie_kruk) August 11, 2017
Looooove my pen and paper! Still works better for me than screens 🙂 #mediachat
— Adel de Meyer (@AdeldMeyer) August 11, 2017
Anyone keep a note pad (or recording device) by their bed in case they have an idea in the middle of the night? #mediachat
— Chaim Shapiro (@ChaimShapiro) August 11, 2017
Q4) @WriteOnOnline Where do you find inspiration? #MediaChat
— #MediaChat (@Media_Chat) August 11, 2017
A4. Everywhere. Conversations, events, people-watching. You never know what will turn into something you can use for content. #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
A4 You can find inspiration in the darndest places — from happenstance conversations to jotting down dreams. #MediaChat
— Jim Katzaman (@JKatzaman) August 11, 2017
A4 Example I started doing Q&As on https://t.co/DP29QTk31E years ago. Inspiration? A friend posted she was releasing a book. #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
Q & As are a fast way to step into someone else’s world. Endless source of inspiration! #mediachat https://t.co/ZKBXJ7AuBC
— Su Doyle (@sudoyle) August 11, 2017
Along the same vein, I talk to ppl who are not experts. Their outside looking in perspective offers new perspective. #mediachat
— Javier Sanabria (@SanabriaJav) August 11, 2017
Q5) @WriteOnOnline How do you find ideas for social media posts online? #MediaChat
— #MediaChat (@Media_Chat) August 11, 2017
A5 Follow & check relevant FB pages & Twitter profiles. Set 15-minute appts and use a timer, so you don’t fall into the SM abyss. #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
A5. Same as A4. Google search questions. Other blogs – put a different spin or POV on the topics. #MediaChat
— Anh Nguyen (@AnhTNguyen) August 11, 2017
Q6) @WriteOnOnline Where do you look for blogging topics? #MediaChat
— #MediaChat (@Media_Chat) August 11, 2017
A6 Same as A5. Also, keep an eye on friends and peers. Ask to interview them or for a guest post. Request recommendations too! #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
A6 Example. I post random, targeted Qs to my Facebook group and get ideas for posts or interviews there. https://t.co/YObGrv0xog #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
A6 I set an intention at the beginning of the year and have a theme I stick to. It’s fun to see how things come my way that fit. #MediaChat https://t.co/95Zlrg5ldR
— Melissa Reyes (@MizMeliz) August 11, 2017
Q7) @WriteOnOnline What sorts of outside activities provide ideas? #MediaChat
— #MediaChat (@Media_Chat) August 11, 2017
A7 Networking events. conferences,, classes, coffees. meals. Waiting in line. Something could come up that inspires you. #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
A7: Example: I did a live stream after my @ladancefit class w @thatsluckie_ on the goal of exercise: https://t.co/8N9DhPtJ7L #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
Well put Jim! #mediachat https://t.co/YnYSv2emWj
— Manav Lalotra (@manavlalotra) August 11, 2017
A7. Walking. Hiking (if you’re lucky enough to live near these areas). I hate running so that’s out. ? #mediachat
— Anh Nguyen (@AnhTNguyen) August 11, 2017
A7. I even use to sponsor a gathering or young college students once a fortnite to hear them out, hv a discussion! wud strt again #mediachat
— Manav Lalotra (@manavlalotra) August 11, 2017
Q8) @WriteOnOnline How do you turn outside events or activities into blog or social media posts? #MediaChat
— #MediaChat (@Media_Chat) August 11, 2017
A8 Post when you plan to attend local events, so you can meet up w your tribe. Posts pics, do a quick live stream. Get quotes. #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
A8 Pre-social media I wrote for a local paper. Gave you freedom to talk to anyone. Now you can do it with a blog, podcast, etc. #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
A8 Take notes during an event with the intent to write a story about it. Then write the story. #mediachat
— Jim Katzaman (@JKatzaman) August 11, 2017
Live Tweeting at an event can be like an all access press pass to talk w/ anyone about anything! #MediaChat
— Su Doyle (@sudoyle) August 11, 2017
Q9) @WriteOnOnline How do you cultivate ideas / topics from others? #MediaChat
— #MediaChat (@Media_Chat) August 11, 2017
A9 Talk to them. Everyone has a story. See how your audience might be able benefit from their knowledge. #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
If I see something that I like I’ll try to build off that idea but put my own #personalbrand spin on it #MediaChat https://t.co/dtqp2fxKOf
— Rachel Moskowitz (@RachMoskowitz) August 11, 2017
A9: Life happens and Mini says “You should blog about this”.. that’s how! #MediaChat
— Tina Bassett (@LIChevyMetsGrrl) August 11, 2017
We are now opening up for the group to ask @WriteOnOnline any questions you may have from our chat tonight. #mediachat
— #MediaChat (@Media_Chat) August 11, 2017
Ask people you trust, but not too many. Just wrote this post on feedback. Hope it gives perspective. https://t.co/THAdre7Ov3 #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
Give yourself some easy wins. These small successes will move you forward. #mediachat https://t.co/X9YVbXBTUo
— Jennifer Navarrete (@epodcaster) August 11, 2017
Remember for every one idea, you should be able to expand it in five different ways. #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
For instance Twitter chats, 5 topics: 1. Why You love Them, 2. Best Chats, 3. Chat Rules 4. Inspiration From Chats 5. Why Chat #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
Brainstorm your brainstorm. Come up w as many ideas as you can for each topic. #mediachat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) August 11, 2017
Huge thanks to @WriteOnOnline for being an awesome guest here on #mediachat tonight! #YouMatter
— #MediaChat (@Media_Chat) August 11, 2017
Next week we will be taking a break and having an “Open Mic Night” here on #MediaChat same time, same place!
— Aaron Kilby (@kilby76) August 11, 2017
What are your recommendations for getting unstuck? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Remember, connect with Write On Online on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and join the Write On Facebook group. Need blogging inspiration? Check out my book: Write On Blogging: 51 Tips to Create, Write & Promote Your Blog
Tags: Blogging getting unstuck ideas MediaChat Social Media Writing
