Comments on: 3 Free and Instant Sources of News Content Ideas

By: Penny

Penny — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:12:59 +0000

hello! great post! thanks for sharing this to other bloggers..its a big help..More Power!

By: david

david — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:15:04 +0000

Don’t forget one of the most basic sources of information: the world around you! Pay attention to billboards – they are often one of the first signs of upcoming events and attractions. Listen to snippets of conversation in restaurants and coffee shops – people are always talking about something that is blog-worthy, to some extent. Flip through the local ‘zines in your community – see what sort of community events are happening. Sit in at a local school board or city council meeting – chock full of ideas for civic-minded blog entries.

In short – just pay attention to everything around you! Keep your cell phone handy, too — snap a picture of something that you will want to blog about later, or text yourself a brief message about something you hear and might want to blog about later.

Go get ‘em!

By: Lana

Lana — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:03:37 +0000

I blog about all sorts of news and interesting things. I choose my topic of the day, by reading a number of Google reader’s items delivered to me every day (from the sites I’ve signed up to). Sometimes, when I need a deeper research, or if I follow an unusual item, I sign up for a Google Alert.

By: Simple Browser

Simple Browser — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 02:48:35 +0000

I use social sites and google alerts for my blogs. Well, after reading this, for the first time I am going to think seriously about press releases. Thanks.

By: Corey Freeman

Corey Freeman — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:01:51 +0000

I get my ideas from life. I’ll be playing a video game or doing some yard work and I’ll stop and be like, “how does this relate to blogging? AH!” Other times I browse forum threads and check my email. My life is pretty much my inspiration.

By: Izzysix

Izzysix — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:07:17 +0000

I didn’t think of using google alerts to get story ideas. My only problem is my blog is about how we can use ideas from one area and use them across other business or organizations. That means I’m referenceing just about evereything.

By: Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:32:52 +0000

I also use Google Alerts and Google Trends will let you know about the latest buzz people are looking for. I have found good items to write about watching Digg.

Forums are one of my favorite, to find out what my niche wants answers to.

By: Nancy Nally

Nancy Nally — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:40:53 +0000

I monitor several message boards and one blog that serves basically as a message board (700+ comments on one two sentence post is not unusual there) that are relevant to my site’s niche. I find tips in those places often that lead me to breaking news stories. I will follow up with research of my own, expanding on the stories and putting them in the context of the industry’s business.

Occasionally someone will come directly to me with something because I am known as a news outlet in the industry. I also use press releases as starting points for pieces sometimes.

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:46:35 +0000

I’m generally blogging about fandom. I find the best news sources are frequently on the front pages of a site, where company blog or forum posts that might signal a reaction from the user base can be found. This was the case for Quizilla and Wikia. I also find fandom_wank and clairvoyantwank on JournalFen to be useful as they can often give an idea of trouble brewing. Fanthropology, metafandom, and fandom newsletters on LiveJournal are also good resources for finding fandom news.