Look around your workspace. There are tons of potential blog topics you could write about, from your new ergonomic furniture and that cool treadmill desk, to the awesome marketing hack you were just discussing with one of your members.
What really matters, though, is what your readers want to read about.
Sounds obvious, doesnโt it? But itโs amazing how often bloggers overlook that one crucial element: write about topics that your readers will love.
Here, we run through a list of topics you may choose to write about on the pages of your workspace blog. Some are directed at helping small businesses grow, some aim to inspire or instruct, and others aim to educate by focusing on key customer service topics.
Quick tips to get started:
- Remember your audience. Let them guide your choice of content.
- Read blogs in your industry niche or those with a similar target audience. Donโt rip off other peopleโs content — youโll only end up on Googleโs blacklist. Keep a list of ideas and write unique posts with your own commentary and advice.
- Write for your readers and the readers you want to reach, not for SEO. Cramming your article with irritating keywords is just, well, irritating.
- But do include a selection of relevant keywords to attract traffic. Work them in naturally.
- Think about your readers, and the readers you want to attract. Aim to solve their problems by writing about topics and issues that directly affect them.
- Donโt blog for the sake of blogging. Always aim to add value.
- Read Cat Johnsonโs 8 content marketing tips to get started.
Topics to Solve Problems:
1. โHow to Choose a Business Nameโ: If youโre in the coworking business, you probably have a strong community of freelancers and startups — some of whom donโt have an official business name. Offer tips on how to mindmap a business name and apply it to other naming processes too, such as web domains, URLs, blog names, company taglines… you get the idea.
2. โOur Pick of the Best Accounting Software for Small Businessesโ: You can directly target your readership base here and offer advice on apps, programmes and digital tools that you, or your members, can recommend.
3. โOutsourcing 101: How to Hire Freelance Talent You Can Trustโ: The gig economy is growing every year, and outsourcing helps cash-strapped businesses achieve their goals with low outlay. Offer advice on how to post jobs and search for people with relevant skills, along with a selection of recommended freelancing websites.
Customer Service Topics:
4. โHow to Login and Use XYZโ: This wonโt appeal to companies outside your workspace unless youโre using an off-the-shelf product. However, posts like these are invaluable for providing constructive step-by-step advice for workspace members, especially if you use screenshots. Consider making a short video too.
5. โThereโs This One Coworker Who [insert complaint] – What Should I Do?โ: Whether itโs the one who takes loud phone calls or the one who leaves dirty dishes in the shared kitchen sink, you can help your coworkers reach harmony by offering useful advice on how to handle the problem. Better still, itโs totally discreet and anonymous.
6. โHow to Make an Anonymous Complaint / Suggestionโ: Much as we hate hearing it, constructive criticism drives improvement. Make it easy for your members to make complaints or suggestions — youโll score bonus points for making the process user-friendly.
Topics to Inspire:
7. Interview a member of your community or a business partner who overcame adversity. Even if itโs not directly related to work or business, people extract value from uplifting stories in many different ways. You might just make their day.
8. โHow I Built My Business from Nothingโ: Everyone loves a good rags-to-riches story, right? These articles will always attract startups and freelance businesses, particularly in a B2B workplace environment.
9. Coming back from a business failure: Interview a member or a colleague about how they overcame a business failure or a rejection, such as a failed loan application. Be sure to include key lessons learned and how they put the problems right.
Current Affairs or Seasonal Topics:
10. Pick out local recommended places to visit, such as picnic spots, parks or cosy independent restaurants. Highlight interesting landmarks and recommend walking or jogging routes that members can fit in during their lunch breaks.
11. Another helpful seasonal topic is to focus on how to improve productivity during the summer, and how to keep business moving during seasonal quiet times. Use your own experiences and ask members to chip in, too.
Topics to Boost Business Growth and Productivity:
12. โExpenses 101โ: No-one likes paying too much tax, especially small business owners. Any article dedicated to simplifying accounting, such as detailing viable expenses and offering tips on making tax returns a little easier, will always score points. If you have an accountant in your workspace, ask for their input in return for a link to their website.
13. โ10 Ways to Smash Your To-do Listโ: These types of articles are everywhere, so make your title snappy and try to differentiate your content. For instance, ask 15 different people for one single piece of advice, and use the 10 most unusual or proven tips.
14. โHow to Save Time by Automating Monotonous Tasksโ: If you know of any great time-saving apps or tips on automating mundane tasks, nowโs the time to share it.
15. โEarn While You Sleep: How to Generate Passive Incomeโ: The world has become transfixed with Tim Ferriss and his bestselling book โThe 4-Hour Workweekโ, and for good reason. As a workspace operator you can add your own practical advice, all while touting the benefits of workplace flexibility and โwork from anywhereโ mentality.
Marketing Topics:
16. โSocial Media Tips and Tricks for Time-Strapped Entrepreneursโ: Posts like these hit the nail right on the head. Every entrepreneur knows he or she should be more active on social media, but itโs easily pushed aside. Cover off key tips like scheduling tools, apps, automation processes and top level analytics. If your workspace provides marketing assistance, use this as an opportunity to remind members of your additional services.
17. โHow to Measure Content Marketingโ: Even if you know you should be writing regular content or posting 3-5 tweets per day, how do you know itโs working? If youโre a little stuck, check out Neil Patelโs post on how to measure content marketing.
18. An explanation of the latest SEO techniques and algorithm changes will help your members steer clear of black-hat techniques, but be sure your advice is spot-on — even in 2017 there are far too many shady โSEO expertsโ who are out to make a quick buck.
19. โ5 of the Best Free Email Marketing Platformsโ: Whether itโs email marketing, social media management, website builders or the like, everyone loves free — especially when it comes recommended by a trusted source (ie: you).
20. โWhat is a Klout Score?โ: From Klout to Google Page Rank to tons of other marketing terms, to some people itโs plain old jargon. Help clear the fog and explain what it means, how to use it and what value it offers their business.
Got any more workspace blog ideas to share? Let us know at @Allwork_Space or via Facebook.
