{"id":1303,"date":"2020-03-07T08:36:06","date_gmt":"2020-03-07T16:36:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/?p=1303"},"modified":"2025-11-23T21:50:32","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T05:50:32","slug":"a-step-by-step-guide-to-creating-engaging-content-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-creating-engaging-content-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Engaging Content Ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>Boost your business success with the power of content.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/abstract-blackboard-bulb-chalk-355948\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1304\" src=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/abstract-blackboard-bulb-chalk-355948.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"778\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/abstract-blackboard-bulb-chalk-355948.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/abstract-blackboard-bulb-chalk-355948-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/abstract-blackboard-bulb-chalk-355948-1024x622.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/abstract-blackboard-bulb-chalk-355948-768x467.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/span><\/i><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/abstract-blackboard-bulb-chalk-355948\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cContent is king\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was once considered a throwaway marketing buzzword, but over the years, it has become an essential part of the digital business philosophy. If you want to connect with your audience in a way that really resonates, you need to publish words, graphics, images, and videos that offer direct value.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s a great deal of analytical thinking and strategic planning involved in eCommerce. However, when it comes to brand content, your ideas will fall flat without a healthy dose of innovation and a creative spark. If this happens, you can kiss any return on investment (ROI) goodbye.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With so much to consider and such little time, conjuring up consistently creative, value-driven ideas can feel like an uphill battle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, how do you go about filling your content calendar with ideas that will engage and inspire your audience, leading to increased business success?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019re going to show you how with a step-by-step process for creating content ideas that convert. But first, let\u2019s take a moment to consider why content marketing is so important in the digital age.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>The enduring power of content marketing<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ironpaper.com\/webintel\/articles\/inbound-marketing-statistics-10-stats-that-demonstrate-impact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ninety percent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of brands use content marketing to generate valuable inbound leads. In such a busy space, creating relevant inspirational ideas will help you gain an edge on your competitors while boosting brand awareness in your niche.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the main reasons why great content ideas are integral to the growth (**link to growth strategy article when it\u2019s published) of your eCommerce business:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>You will<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> boost your brand reputation and create a sense of trust with your consumers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>You will <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">make yourself more attractive in your field, becoming more respected and more visible to the right consumers.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>You will <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increase your search visibility, which will accelerate your commercial success while helping you reach a wider audience.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>You will <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">generate an increased number of worthwhile leads<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">by answering your audience\u2019s questions and assisting them with their pain points in a way that\u2019s both engaging and digestible.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>eCommerce content ideation: The process<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve considered the primary benefits of getting creative with your content marketing efforts. Now, we\u2019re going to explore a practical process for creating ideas that convert.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Set your goals<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019re looking to launch a seasonal <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/the-e-commerce-guide-to-driving-revenue-through-email\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">email marketing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> campaign or want to create a standalone blog post to promote a new product, if you fail to establish your goals, your ideas will swim around your head with no direction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mapping out clear-cut aims and goals will get your creative juices flowing in a way that is productive. When you\u2019re setting these benchmarks, ask yourself the following questions about your content:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Am I looking to educate your target audience on a particular trend or subject?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do I want to outline my brand values and USPs while giving a direct plug to a new product?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is my aim to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/amazing-examples-of-viral-marketing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">boost brand awareness<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by hopping on a relevant, time-sensitive trend or subject?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should I base my ideas on answering a very specific yet common consumer pain point?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You could find that you have more than one core aim for your content, but by taking the time to narrow down these objectives, you will stand a greater chance of landing on convertible content ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Brainstorming and mind-mapping<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After setting your key aims and landing on your general subject matter, it\u2019s time to start the brainstorming process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point, it&#8217;s worth collaborating with your team members to help you curate those all-important early ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brainstorming and mind-mapping are potent in content ideation as these processes will empower you to dig deep into your content aims in a digestible, visual format. Tools like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mindmup.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MindMup<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are excellent for this stage of the content ideation. Whatever platform you decide to use, this tutorial will inspire your creative efforts:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HsoDbVNVcGU\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By arranging your subject-specific content ideas visually, you will be able to spot patterns and connections that will lead to concepts that you never thought you had in you. Create a long list of content ideas and move to phase three of the operation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Research, refine, and branch out<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With your long list of potential content ideas at the ready, you should set aside a little time to absorb each concept, letting the subject matter sink in. Before long, you will be ready to crop down your list further, creating a shortlist of three potential ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve created a shorter list, you should research each concept in further detail, making notes and gathering resources that will help you make developments and refinements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With three well-rounded ideas at your disposal, you can use content-centric platforms like BuzzSumo or Feedly to request the insight you need to develop your ideas further.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/buzzsumo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BuzzSumo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, for instance, allows you to punch a key phrase or term (based on your potential content idea) and returns a list of the best-performing content related to your search. By gaining insight into what content is currently converting in your idea, you\u2019ll be able to make tweaks that will help your idea to stand out and resonate with your audience. From here, you\u2019ll be able to land on a definitive idea or two.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Step away and forget about it<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many studies suggest that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2017\/06\/why-you-should-tell-your-team-to-take-a-break-and-go-outside\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">taking a break<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and stepping outside can boost productivity and aid creativity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It may seem a little counterintuitive (especially if you\u2019re on a roll), but the only way to know if your content ideas are really worth pursuing is by taking a break, doing something unrelated to the task at hand, and returning with fresh eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Walk, run, swim, read, grab a coffee, chat with a friend, or do whatever else you like &#8211; just make sure that you take a positive break and return to your desk and laptop when you\u2019re ready to continue working on your content ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Create convertible content titles<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your content titles are responsible for around<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.hubspot.com\/marketing\/types-of-blog-headlines\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">80%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of your ideas\u2019 success, so getting them right is essential. Plus, generating inspiring, convertible titles will cement your content ideas and allow you to produce something that your audience will want to consume.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some essential tips that will help you create content titles that people will want to click on:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep your content title as direct and punchy as possible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">State your intent and explain why your content will benefit your audience.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re writing a list-based article, use numerics. The numbers 4, 7, and 10 often convert the most.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use <\/span> marketing action words <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in your content titles where possible.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, it won&#8217;t hurt your progress to use tools like Title Generator or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/portent.com\/tools\/title-maker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Portent\u2019s Content Idea Generation Tool<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for targeted tips and suggestions. When you input your ideas or specific subject matter, such tools will return a well-crafted result list that you can use to finalize your content title.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1305\" src=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Ideas.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1161\" height=\"513\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Ideas.jpg 1161w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Ideas-300x133.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Ideas-1024x452.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Ideas-768x339.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1161px) 100vw, 1161px\" \/><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Screenshot\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Armed with one or two inspired ideas complete with actionable content titles, you\u2019ll be ready to start bringing them to life. These handy resources will help you with your content creation efforts:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-creating-effective-buyer-personas-for-your-business\/\">A step-by-step guide to creating effective buyer personas for your business<\/a><\/b><\/li>\n<li><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/an-ecommerce-beginners-guide-to-content-marketing\/\">An eCommerce beginner\u2019s guide to content marketing<\/a><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Essential content ideation tools<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to the resources already covered in the guide, here are three content ideation tools that will guide your creative initiatives:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/trends.google.com\/trends\/?geo=US\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Google Trends<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you search for a certain subject or term through Google Trends, you will be able to gain insight into the topics and content that are most popular in different parts of the planet. This is an invaluable tool for generating content ideas for audiences according to region.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quora.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Quora<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This popular question and answer platform offers a wealth of invaluable insights, information, and personal opinions on just about every subject you can think of. Search its seemingly infinite archives to open yourself up to a world of content research opportunities, or ask a question to receive direct answers to your content-related curiosities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/alltop.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Alltop<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An easy-to-follow news aggregator, Alltop will give you the information you need to keep your finger on the pulse with carefully-curated overviews of the latest trending info, news, and topics according to a particular niche, trend or subject. This is an amazing tool if you\u2019re looking to create trend-based or highly topical, time-sensitive articles or posts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We hope that this practical guide to convertible content ideation brings you success this year and beyond. For more eCommerce-inspired pearls of wisdom, explore these <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/7-practical-ways-to-boost-your-online-stores-bottom-line\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">practical ways to boost your online store\u2019s bottom line<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Boost your business success with the power of content. &nbsp; Source \u201cContent is king\u201d was once considered a throwaway marketing buzzword, but over the years, it has become an essential part of the digital business philosophy. If you want to connect with your audience in a way that really resonates, you need to publish words, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1306,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1303","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1303","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1303"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1303\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1306"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1303"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1303"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1303"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}