Quit caterwauling and solve the problem!

You may have ninety-nine problems, but your blog shouldn’t be one. Today’s #31dbbb task is to spice up your blog topics by identifying problems that your blog readers have. But how do you figure out their problems? Sure, some people are overly forthcoming — sharing an Instagram of that pesky rash or, more seriously, sharing through Twitter or Facebook about a lost job, depression, or  child’s illness. But if you’re looking to consistently post within your blog’s niche, it’s important to be prepared with relevant, timely topics. What’s a blogger to do?

Tell me about your deepest issues

The first, and probably most genuine suggestion in the #31dbbb workbook is to brainstorm problems you have SOLVED in the past. Seems obvious, but many overlook this because it’s been solved. Just keep in mind that most problems are universal, and someone is experiencing your past problem right now. And that’s a potential reader! This technique can also be utilitarian. I’ll admit that I just recently – very recently – learned how to take a screenshot on my phone. Am I the only person who hadn’t yet known this? I’d like to think not. (But I suspect I may be part of a small group.) I’m thinking that it may make a great short blog post in my Lazy Mom series. Because what’s more lazy than taking a screenshot and Instagramming it? 

Another quick (and often amusing) technique is to take a look at search referrals in your blog’s dashboard. Look for “how” or “why” searches.  On my blog, my most common search question is “How to make a unicorn piñata.” And while I don’t know how useful the post they landed on was, it’s brought over 200 hits to my blog. See what brings people to your blog and give them more!

For bloggers who are more hesitant, asking readers to offer up problems can be a challenge. But writing a post pondering problems, or using Facebook, Twitter, or email to say, “Let me help you!” could be less intrusive. Scouring forums, message boards and list-serves related to your topic can come up with a few relevant problems to solve as well. Keep in mind that many professional sites tend to repost the same topics again and again. Parenting issues are always topical for a new crop of readers, tax issues are always useful from February through April, and holiday posts repeat every year. Jump on those problem bandwagons. Just please, don’t try to solve the non-problem of how to make a Kwanzaa cake. It’s been done. 

Solving the problems of the world

So let’s get to the task of solving the Problems of the Blogosphere! What problems are you and your readers facing? Try finding out and then let us know all the dirty details in comments. Also, let us know WHERE you had the most success. Trolling message boards, asking on Twitter, reading your teenager’s diary, calling your grandmother? Do tell!