What to Do When You Run Out of Content Ideas

Go from “What do I post?” to unlimited content ideas.

Written by Ebenezer Etim | Edited by Oluwatosin Ajayi

Meme from Tenor

Have you ever sat in front of your phone or laptop and your brain just says, “No, not today?”

The deadline is ticking, you want to post something, but your ideas have magically disappeared.

We’ve all been there. The truth is, it’s not that you’ve run out of ideas. You just need a better way to capture ideas when they come and spark new ones when they don’t.

5 Ways to Create Content Ideas

Use these tips to generate content ideas for yourself or your business.

1. Revisit Your Content Pillars

Your content pillars are your go-to themes. If you already have 3–5, go back to them and ask:

• What haven’t I covered yet?

• What questions do people keep asking about this topic?

• What lesson or story can I share to illustrate this theme?

For example, If one of your pillars is ‘content strategy,’ you could post:

• 3 things most people get wrong about content calendars

• The mistake you made that ruined your first strategy (and what you do differently now)

2. Use the ‘Question Stack’ Method

List out:

• Questions you’ve been asked recently (in DMs, comments, or coaching calls)

• Questions you had when you were just starting out

• Questions your ideal audience is Googling

Then turn those into bite-sized content. Note that answering one question per post gives you enough content for weeks.

I’m starting a 5-day email course on ‘The Consistent Content System: How to Plan, Create, and Post Without Burning Out.’

It’ll land in your inbox once it’s ready.

3. Repurpose Past Content

You don’t need to always create from scratch. That’s where content repurposing comes in.

Scroll through your old posts or newsletters and find one that:

• Got good engagement

• Made you proud

• Still feels relevant

Then rewrite it from a new angle:

• Add a story

• Update the hook

• Break it into a carousel or thread

Your best ideas deserve a second (or third) spotlight.

4. Zoom in on Micro-Moments

Big ideas can come from small experiences:

• Something a client said that stuck

• A recent mistake you made

• A moment that shifted how you think

Tiny stories can make big relatability. Remember that your day-to-day experience is content gold.

5. Keep a Swipe File

Ideas will come to you when you’re not trying to write or create content. Capture them quickly in a notes app, Notion board, or voice note.

Your future self will thank you on those ‘blank brain’ days.

For me, I take notes on Google Docs or my phone’s notepad. When I can’t write the ideas, I record them in audio form.

Running out of ideas is normal, but staying stuck isn’t. It can waste your time, make you inconsistent or stop posting. This can affect your visibility or lose your audience.

With these tips, you can avoid these issues and always have something valuable to say.

Comment ‘IDEAS’ or reply to this email (with the same) to get a free copy of content ideas you can use for yourself or your business.

---

I’m Oluwatosin Ajayi, a content writer passionate about creativity and innovation. I spend most of my time strategizing and thinking of valuable solutions for fellow writers and business owners. Send a message if you need assistance creating workable strategies to elevate your writing career or business.