Every blogger hits it sooner or later: the moment you sit down to write, your mind goes completely blank.
You know you need to publish, you know blogging matters for visibility and authority, but you’ve got nothing.
I’ve been in this mode, so I know the value of a Blog Post Idea Bank.
An idea bank is a collection of blog post ideas you build over time, so you’re never starting from zero. Instead of scrambling for inspiration, you’re choosing from a list of ready-to-go topics.
Below are eight practical tips to help you create an idea bank that keeps your blog consistent and stress-free.
- Capture Ideas Immediately (No Matter How Rough)
Blog ideas rarely arrive fully formed. More often, they show up as half-thoughts while you’re driving, reading, or answering an email.
Don’t wait until an idea feels ‘good enough.’ Write it down immediately, messy wording and all. A short, simple note that says ‘new writer common dialogue mistakes’ is plenty. You can refine it later.
Another option for capturing blog post ideas is short blurbs on social media that offer quick tips. I do this.
Use whatever tool you’ll check consistently: a notes app, Google Doc, spreadsheet, project manager, or even a paper notebook.
I keep an Excel spreadsheet for all the articles I write and post. I include the article’s title, date written, word count, and date published. It also includes sites I reprinted it to. For idea articles, I have a section above the written articles that lists the idea or mock title.
The best system is the one you actually use.
- Turn Questions into Instant Blog Topics
Questions are gold for blog ideas.
Every time a client, reader, or student asks you something, you’ve been handed a potential blog post. If one person asks it, others are wondering the same thing. I use this strategy often, getting lots of blog ideas from my clients.
In fact, the idea could be a question you have. When I wrote the five-part DIY Self-Publishing article series, I was in the process of self-publishing my own book; I was learning a lot.
One of the burning questions I had was how to upload the publishing-ready files. I couldn’t find information on it. So I just jumped in, figured it out, and then wrote an article about it.
You might create a dedicated section in your idea bank labeled ‘Questions.’
Over time, this becomes a powerful source of reader-focused content.
Sidenote: I ended up turning the series into a PDF and offer it as a call to action for my email list at Writers on the Move Self-Publishing Service.
- Mine Your Old Content for New Angles
Your existing blog posts are idea generators hiding in plain sight.
Look through older posts and ask:
• Can I expand one section into its own post?
• Can I update this with new information?
• Can I write a beginner, intermediate, or advanced version?
• Can I approach the topic from a different angle?
One solid post can easily produce three to five new ideas when you view it strategically.
Interesting, I’ve been updating most of my older posts from 10-15 years ago, mostly editing them. I haven’t really added much new information to them, but I will rethink approaching some from a new angle.
- Keep an ‘Idea Sparks’ Section
Not every entry in your idea bank needs to be a complete topic. Some ideas start as sparks—phrases, examples, analogies, or observations.
Create a section for:
• Interesting quotes
• Story moments
• Metaphors
• Rants
• Contrarian opinions
• “Why does no one talk about?”
If you use a spreadsheet, instead of a separate section, you can simply create a column, possibly titled Idea Sparks, and input the source of the idea there.
These sparks often turn into excellent original posts.
- Organize by Categories You Actually Use
An idea bank only works if it’s usable, and if you have a long list of ideas, it’s perfect.
Group your ideas under clear categories that match your blog’s focus. For example:
• Craft tips
• Marketing advice
• Mindset
• Case studies
• FAQs
• Personal lessons
This makes it easy to choose a topic that fits with your content goals rather than scrolling through a random list of ideas, hoping something clicks.
- Add Notes for Easier Writing
When you add an idea, include a few bullet points explaining what you were thinking at the time. This will work well if you’re using it.
Helpful notes might include:
• The main takeaway
• A personal example to include
• A client story
• A mistake you see often
• A resource to reference
These notes are a big help when it’s time to write because you’re not starting from a blank page.
- Review and Refresh Your Idea Bank Regularly
An idea bank isn’t a “set it and forget it” tool.
Check your idea bank regularly, maybe monthly or quarterly, to:
• Remove ideas that no longer fit your blog.
• Combine overlapping topics.
• Update ideas with new insights.
• Highlight the ones you’d like to write next.
This keeps your bank relevant and aligned with your current goals and audience.
It’s an important task, as you might have just read an article on a topic in your bank, and it has the same spin you were thinking of.
- Treat Your Idea Bank as a Writing Tool
Think of your idea bank as a resource. Some ideas will never be written, and that’s okay. There’s no pressure to get to all the ideas. Its real value is giving you options, momentum, and peace of mind.
When writing feels hard, you’re not forcing creativity or scrambling for an idea. You’re choosing from ideas you already saved.
Summing It Up
A Blog Post Idea Bank shifts blogging from reactive to intentional. Instead of asking, “What should I write about?” you’re asking, “Which of these ideas fits my goals right now?”
Over time, this simple habit builds consistency and a body of content that serves your audience. Best of all, it removes the stress of worrying about getting something helpful on your blog on a regular basis.
Start collecting your future blog posts today.
Authors: Your Newsletter Statistics and How to Improve Them
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Lots of examples and 7 specific tips
Republishing Your Previously Published Children’s Book
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, rewriter/editor. I can help turn your idea, outline, or manuscript into a book you’ll be proud to be the author of, one that’s publishable and marketable.
OTHER HELP I OFFER:
HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S FICTION BOOK
A 200+ book that will help you write your own children’s book.
Creating an Author Online Platform
4-week e-course with former WOW! Women on Writing author online platform instructor.
WRITERS ON THE MOVE SELF-PUBLISHING SERVICE
Self-publishing help for children’s authors (picture books and chapter books)
You can contact me at kcioffiventrice@gmail.com.
