We strive to deliver all types of marketing automation-related content to you: from the basic to the complex to the thought-provoking.  Here’s a basic approach to content ideation, and we strongly rely on #9…

Here's some steps I would take for content ideation and planning:

1. Keyword research tools lack the creativity you need for great content

Let's start with a common misconception I’ve found is that many people just assume that content strategy is just keyword research. It's not! Keyword research lacks the creativity that you really need for outstanding content.

2. Talk to your team/clients

3. What types of content can fit into your content initiative?

Why not think of additional ways you can use this content and share with different audiences – for example:

• Blog posts/articles.
• HTML5 interactive content.
• Kinetic typography videos.
• Socially targeted infograms.
• etc…

4. Analytics: find the content that resonates

This is the most obvious one by far, but it’s surprising how many people generate new content, without really paying attention to what your audience likes and really resonates with them.

5. Focus on making just one reader happy

Pay particular attention to the individual and less common answers. This might sound like an odd piece of advice – but rather than trying to please everyone (which you rarely can!), I often find that some of best previous posts have actually been largely driven by email responses to client questions.

6. Do, Know, Go

I wrote up this process recently - but it’s a very simple way of looking to ensure that you are giving readers what they want - so that they can find you through search.

7. Set clear timescales and goals on brainstorming

You don’t even have to brainstorm together as a team - that helps, but if you can’t all get to be in a room at the same time - that’s not an excuse.

8. Use Tools

Brainstorm ideas and manage content processes by using tools such as:

1. Trello - managing and collaborating brainstorms with teams.
2. Basecamp - for sharing ideas as a team.
3. Google Drive - collaborating and adding comments to ideation documents.
4. UberSuggest - generating different keyword ideas around content.
5. WordTracker Questions Tool - find common questions you can answer.

9. Use your brain

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that despite the above, it is your best tool.

10. Find popular content ideas via social media

I often find that the best ideas are trigged by simliar ideas which you've seen work well in the past.

So think of what content you've seen shared recently on social sites.

Spend time searching for top content on:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Tweetmeme
• StumbleUpon
• Reddit
• Relevant blogs
• Niche social media sites