Feeling Stuck? Try These Content Ideas for Small Businesses.

July 15, 2024

Content helps you connect, right? It gives insights into your business, your personality, and your culture. But boy, can it be draining. And as awesome as AI is there are only so many times you can ask it for blog ideas for the exact same audience before it starts to sound the same.


So where do you get new content ideas and inspiration to attract and retain customers? And how do you keep your content fresh and relevant? Let’s dig into some sources and strategies to generate, curate, and hybridize content for your blog posts, articles, videos, and social media.


Ideas for Generating Original Content


One of the most reliable sources for original content ideas is customer feedback and questions. By monitoring your customer service emails, social media comments, and online reviews, you can gain valuable insights into what your audience cares about and what issues they need help with.


Content created this way is extra valuable because it:


  •         helps you address their concerns directly
  •         builds a sense of community and engagement around your brand (if it’s a great question, you can call them out on a video or podcast thanking them for the idea)
  •        provides rich material for SEO
  •        gives you an opportunity for your brand to provide value

Talk to your sales team about what potential customers need to know, where they get confused, and what they most often ask. Then look at the most frequently asked questions to your customer service team. Go through social media inquiries and emails. Answer the most popular questions through a variety of mediums including video, audio, blogs, articles, and social media posts. Depending on your industry and the depth of the questions, you may even consider creating a report from them.


Questions can also be a great source of humorous content just make sure when you are creating your own comedy that you’re not hurting someone’s feelings or making fun of them for asking a question. If you want to poke fun of anyone, make sure it’s at your own expense, not theirs.


Staying updated with the latest news in your industry is another effective way to generate content ideas. Following industry blogs, subscribing to newsletters, and joining relevant forums and social media groups can keep you informed about current trends and developments. This knowledge allows you to produce timely and relevant content that positions your brand as a thought leader. Don’t just parrot their stuff, give your take.


Consider creating listicles such as “10 Ways to Improve Your [Industry] Skills” or how-to guides like “Step-by-Step Guide to Using Our Product.”


Additionally, sharing a behind-the-scenes look at your business can create a more personal connection with your audience. Consider creating a day in the life of your team, the making of your products, or how you maintain quality. Again, it can be funny. Authentic behind-the-scenes content can humanize your brand and build trust.


Customer success stories and case studies are also powerful sources of content. Highlighting how your products or services have helped your customers provides social proof of your brand’s value and can serve as persuasive testimonials for potential customers.


Ways to Curate Valuable Content


You don’t have to do it all on your own. Curating content from other sources is an excellent way to keep your audience informed and engaged without having to produce everything from scratch. When you share something, make sure you explain why. It will give an added richness to the content.


Tools like Feedly, Pocket, or Flipboard can help you collect and share relevant articles, blog posts, and news stories. By curating content from reputable sources, you can position your brand as a knowledgeable and reliable resource in your industry.


Your social media feeds are another source of content for curation. By following influencers, industry leaders, and competitors, you can find and share posts that resonate with your audience. Create roundup posts with the best content from your feed to further enhance your brand’s credibility.


User-generated content is another valuable resource for curation. Encouraging your customers to share their experiences with your products/services on social media provides you with free, authentic content. Reposting their photos, videos, and testimonials (with proper credit) not only fills your content calendar but also builds a community around your brand.


Using Hybrid Content Strategies


Hybrid content strategies, which blend original and curated content, can be particularly effective. One such strategy is conducting interviews or inviting guest posts from industry experts, influencers, or satisfied customers. This not only brings fresh perspectives to your content, but also taps into the contributors’ audiences. Collaborating with industry influencers brings new perspectives, points of view, and personalities to your content. Look for influencers who align with your brand values, target audience, and industry niche.


Collaborating with other brands for co-branded content is another hybrid strategy worth exploring. Joint blog posts, videos, or social media campaigns with complementary businesses can expand your reach and introduce your brand to new audiences.


Repurposing your content is a practical hybrid strategy that maximizes the value of your existing content. For example, a well-performing blog post can be transformed into a video, infographic, or a series of social media posts. This allows you to reach different audience segments across various platforms without having to create new content from scratch. Additionally, if you got good traction on a piece from several years ago, look to how you might freshen it up. Don’t have the time? AI can help.


Creative Places for Content Ideas

You don’t have to be all business in your content inspiration. Try these ideas.


Finding Inspiration in Pop Culture


Your audience are people first and foremost. They listen to music, watch movies, binge TV shows, and may even play video games. Tapping into pop culture helps you find common ground and relate on a human level (as appropriate for your target audience). One way to do this is to tap into what’s current right now — the latest TikTok craze or hot news story. That’s a good tactic for social media posts, where you can make a quick reference before the fad passes. For blog content, look for topics that are more evergreen. Pop culture titans like Taylor Swift, Star Wars, and Tom Brady have inspired plenty of colorful content that has a little more staying power than Chewbacca mom or a colored dress.


When It’s About You, Make It About Them


Interactive social media posts such as polls asking “Which of Our Products Do You Love the Most?” or contests and giveaways can drive engagement and increase your reach. Posting quotes and tips related to your products can also keep your social media channels vibrant and engaging.


Tapping into Internal Resources


Employees are a treasure trove of knowledge, expertise, and unique perspectives. Encourage them to contribute to your content creation efforts by sharing their insights, experiences, and ideas. Seek out your social-media-savvy employees and come to them with specific asks. Show appreciation by recognizing and rewarding their contributions to your content marketing efforts. Whether it’s through public recognition, incentives, or professional development opportunities, acknowledging the value employees bring to your content strategy will encourage continued participation.


Leveraging AI for Brainstorming


In case you missed the last two years of headlines, AI is already changing the way marketers work. It’s ideal to jumpstart your creative brain if you’re feeling stuck. Ask a program like ChatGPT to help you brainstorm ideas for your blog, social media, or other medium. Tell it who your audience is, the type of content you want, and any themes you want to include. Goals help too. For example, you could ask, “Help me come up with creative ideas for blog posts to get more readers. My company sells biscuits, and our target audience is 30-50-year-old business professionals with a weight problem. Include pop culture references that would resonate with that demographic.” This kind of prompt can generate unique and relevant ideas that you can further refine and develop.


By using a mix of your own content, curating from others, and creating hybrid work, you can keep your audience engaged and your brand relevant. Remember, the key is to provide value, be authentic, stay consistent, and occasionally make them laugh.


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Christina Metcalf is a writer/ghostwriter who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She loves road trips, hates exclamation points, and is currently reading three books at once.

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Medium: @christinametcalf

Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking

Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor

LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

Local Business Partnerships Strengthen Communities and Drive Growth

February 19, 2025
Strategic partnerships expand reach – Small businesses can attract new customers, reduce costs, and strengthen their local presence by collaborating with complementary businesses. Joint events boost visibility – Pop-up shops, community festivals, and charity partnerships create opportunities for cross-promotion and increased customer engagement. Shared marketing maximizes impact – Social media takeovers, email marketing swaps, and joint discounts help businesses reach wider audiences without increasing advertising costs. Co-working and shared spaces reduce expenses – Businesses can lower overhead costs by sharing retail locations, office spaces, or market stalls while enhancing customer experience. Success stories highlight collaboration benefits – Partnerships like breweries and food trucks or bookstores and coffee shops demonstrate how businesses can thrive together by providing complementary services. ~ 507 words / 2.5 min read Small businesses looking to expand their reach and strengthen their customer base are finding success through local collaborations. By forming strategic partnerships with other businesses and organizations, owners can tap into new audiences, reduce costs and contribute to a thriving local economy. Finding the Right Business Partner Successful collaborations often involve businesses that complement, rather than compete with each other. A coffee shop, for example, may partner with a bookstore to host book signings, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement that brings in customers for both. A fitness studio might team up with a health food store to promote wellness programs, offering discounts to each other’s customers. Leveraging Events and Promotions Local businesses can increase visibility and engagement by organizing joint events. Some popular strategies include: Pop-up shops – A bakery can be set up inside a boutique, providing shoppers with refreshments while increasing exposure for both businesses. Community festivals – Restaurants, retailers and service providers can join forces to sponsor or participate in local events, drawing in larger crowds. Charity partnerships – Businesses that collaborate with nonprofits or local organizations not only contribute to a cause but also boost customer loyalty and trust. Such initiatives create opportunities for businesses to cross-promote and introduce their brands to new audiences. Collaborating on Marketing Efforts Marketing can be a significant expense for small businesses, but shared promotional efforts help reduce costs while maximizing impact. Local businesses can work together through: Social media takeovers – Partnering businesses can feature each other on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, increasing engagement. Email marketing swaps – Businesses can promote each other in their newsletters, introducing their products and services to a wider audience. Exclusive discounts – Offering customers a deal when they visit both businesses encourages spending across multiple locations. Exploring Shared Spaces Another effective collaboration strategy involves sharing physical space to cut costs and increase visibility. Co-working environments, pop-up markets and joint retail spaces are becoming increasingly popular among small business owners. For instance, a yoga studio and a wellness clinic might share a lease, offering their clients a one-stop destination for fitness and health. Similarly, food halls that feature multiple vendors allow small restaurant owners to reach new customers without the financial burden of operating a standalone location. Success Stories in Local Collaboration One well-known example of local business partnerships is the collaboration between breweries and food trucks. Many craft breweries lack kitchen facilities, so they invite food trucks to set up outside their establishments. This arrangement brings in more customers, benefits both businesses and creates a vibrant atmosphere for patrons. Independent bookstores and coffee shops have also successfully partnered to attract customers. By allowing book lovers to enjoy a cup of coffee while browsing, both businesses see increased engagement and longer customer visits. The Bottom Line For small businesses, collaboration is more than just a marketing strategy—it’s a way to strengthen the local economy and build lasting relationships with customers. By forming strategic partnerships, hosting events and sharing marketing efforts, businesses can maximize their resources and drive mutual success. --- The Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.

Stop Spinning Your Wheels and Start Seeing Results

February 17, 2025
Has this ever happened to you? A brilliant idea sparks, you meticulously plan every detail, create beautiful spreadsheets, and envision the triumphant launch. Maybe you even practice a little Law of Attraction in your meditative practices each morning. But then… . The plan sits there, gathering dust, because life has gotten busy, you’ve been plagued by self-doubt, or you moved on to the next exciting concept. Sound familiar? Or maybe you’re the opposite. Maybe you’re all about action and no planning. You’re jetting off to the next hottest thing without seeing anything ripen and produce. Many business professionals fall into this trap, leaning too heavily on either the planning or the action phase. We either over-analyze and never launch, or we jump in headfirst without a strategy and quickly burn out. So, how do we bridge the gap and turn those well-laid plans (or exuberant energy) into tangible results? Ready, Set, Go Finding the balance between planning and action is crucial for success. Too much planning leads to paralysis, while too much action leads to a game of chaotic professional ping-pong, bouncing from one thing to the next. Here's how to navigate that middle ground and start experiencing real progress: 1. Define Your "Why" and Set Clear Goals: Before diving into the nitty-gritty details, revisit the core reason behind your plan. Why is this important? What do you hope to achieve? Does it fit into what you’re already doing or is it a new undertaking altogether? If it’s new, do you aim to replace or enhance what you’re currently doing? Clearly defined goals provide direction and motivation, making it easier to prioritize and stay focused. 2. Break It Down: Large, overwhelming plans are often the biggest culprits of inaction. Break your grand vision into smaller, manageable steps. Instead of "launch a new product line," think "research competitor pricing," "develop prototype," "create marketing materials." These bite-sized tasks feel less daunting and provide a sense of accomplishment as you tick them off. Building momentum is a large part of sticking with something long-term. 3. Embrace Imperfect Action: Perfection is the enemy of progress. Don't wait for everything to be flawless (or the timing to be perfect) before taking a step. Sometimes, "good enough" is better than "never done." Remember, even a small step is a step, if it aligns with your goals. That imperfect thank you note you send is better than the perfect note you never write. 4. Resist the Shiny Object Syndrome: In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get distracted by the next "big thing." Don't be a "shiny object entrepreneur." Constantly chasing fleeting trends and abandoning projects when they don't instantly go viral is a trip to Nowheresville. True success is built on consistency and perseverance. Focus on your core plan, refine it as needed, and stick with it. 5. Build Relationships, Not Transactions: Today's most successful businesses are built on strong relationships. You can't cultivate genuine connections if you're constantly flitting from one project to the next, across multiple disparate audiences, solely focused on quick wins. Invest time in building rapport with clients, partners, and even competitors. These relationships can be invaluable for support, collaboration, and long-term growth. Remember, people do business with people they know, like, and trust. 6. Review and Adjust: Your initial plan is just a starting point. Regularly review your progress, analyze what's working and what's not, and adjust your strategy accordingly. Be flexible and willing to adapt. The business landscape is constantly evolving, and your plan should too. But this is where a lot of people stumble. They confuse new projects with timely adjustments. When things get rough or boring, they think innovation means a completely new undertaking. It doesn’t have to. Sometimes innovation is making changes to how you’re currently doing something and serving your market in a new way. 7. Celebrate Small Wins: Recognizing and celebrating your accomplishments, no matter how small, is essential for maintaining momentum. It reinforces positive behavior and motivates you to keep moving forward.  8. Create Daily Habits: Following daily habits can keep you on track and accountable toward your progress. Bridging the gap between planning and action requires conscious effort and a shift in mindset. Not to mention, walking away from the idea of going viral. You still can, of course, but don’t make it your only goal. It’s too easy to get discouraged. Instead, transform your ideas into reality and achieve lasting success through these steps. ---------- Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Medium: @christinametcalf Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

Embracing Imperfection to Strengthen Your Business

February 10, 2025
What do Han Solo (Star Wars et al), Walter White (Breaking Bad), and Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games) have in common? They’re terribly flawed and we love them for it. Imperfection can also be a powerful asset for businesses when approached with the right mindset. So stop trying your best to be perfect and embrace imperfection as a way to connect with your customers. Here’s how: How to be Perfectly Imperfect  You’ve probably heard the adage “finished is better than perfect” or “you can’t edit a blank page.” There’s something to be said for embracing life’s imperfections, especially in business. After all, everyone can relate, and imperfections are bound to happen. So you might as well make the best of them. There’s a popular self-help book called “How to Keep House While Drowning.” It was written by a recovering overwhelmed housewife. It’s funny and terribly relatable, especially if you do most of the housework around your home. But it’s also a book about very boring things like dishes in a sink. You can use this same “common denominator” to relate with your ideal client. Relatability It's hard to identify with a perfect business or person. When someone is busy telling us how perfect they are or only showing us the perfect side of their lives, a distance between us will arise. After all, if your life is less than perfect how do you align with someone who is only showing you the sunny side? Whether it's a fictional character, your best friend, or a business, seeing flaws makes us feel like that person or entity is going through the same things we are. This relatability can be loyalty-building when it comes to business. Transparency You can also turn mistakes into opportunities by being openly honest about your shortcomings. When you acknowledge errors and demonstrate a commitment to improvement, you actually build stronger relationships with customers. In fact, 89% of people believe a business can regain their trust if it admits to a mistake and transparently outlines steps to prevent future issues. Authenticity Companies that show their human side can gain a competitive edge. For example: Domino's Pizza ran a campaign admitting their pizza had its issues , but they were addressing them. Guess what? It increased sales. Netflix publicly apologized for a pricing mistake, demonstrating accountability (and let’s not forget their Tyson debacle—again, they apologized instead of ignoring it). Coke went back to the original and admitted the change was a terrible idea. All of these companies received kudos for their honesty (and listening to customers). Fearlessness From an employee perspective, embracing imperfection can unlock creativity by removing the paralyzing fear of failure. When businesses create an environment that accepts mistakes as part of the learning process, employees feel more comfortable: - Experimenting with new ideas - Taking calculated risks - Thinking outside traditional boundaries Companies that remove the fear of failure can accomplish great innovation. Healthier Work Environment Transparency in leadership can also improve your business. When leaders acknowledge their own flaws it: - Reduces stress among employees - Increases job satisfaction - Boosts overall productivity If you’ve ever worked for a workaholic, you know their flawed views on work can be detrimental to your own. But we’re not telling you to hang all your dirty laundry out on the line for everyone to see. There is a strategy behind using imperfection to build a stronger relationship with your customers and employees. A Strategic Approach to Imperfection The key is not to aim for mediocrity, but to view imperfections as opportunities for growth. Your business is never going to be perfect; but you can be perfectly relatable. Be real, be resilient, and be ready to learn and grow. Our best relationships in life (and on the screen) are not between us and perfect people. Quite the opposite. We embrace flaws and appreciate when those around us do the same. Showing your less-than-perfect side will make you more endearing and solidify a long-term relationship between your business and your customers. ------------------------ Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Medium: @christinametcalf Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith
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