Why AI Can Help When You’re Out of Ideas

Dianne Robbins
8 min readSep 8, 2024

We’ve all been there — sitting down to create content and coming up completely blank. It’s frustrating, and it can feel like the ideas just aren’t flowing anymore. But what if there was a tool that could help you get past that roadblock?

That’s where AI comes in. While AI might sound like something futuristic, it’s actually a very practical tool that can support your content creation process. Whether you’re trying to come up with fresh ideas, organize your thoughts, or stay on top of trends, AI can make the whole process a lot smoother.

The best part? AI isn’t here to take over your creativity. It’s here to help you brainstorm, explore new angles, and keep those ideas coming when you need them most. In the sections that follow, we’ll explore exactly how AI can help you do all of this and more.

Why AI Matters in Content Creation

So, why should you consider bringing AI into your content creation process? The simple answer is that it can make your work a lot easier and more efficient, without taking away from your creativity.

First, AI is fast. When you’re staring at a blank screen, it can generate a list of ideas in seconds, giving you a much-needed starting point. It’s also versatile, allowing you to explore topics from different angles that you might not have thought of on your own.

Another big advantage is that AI is objective. Sometimes we get stuck in our own way of thinking, but AI can offer fresh, unbiased suggestions that help you think outside the box. And when you’re dealing with a tight deadline or a creative block, AI can be a reliable tool to keep the ideas flowing.

In short, AI isn’t just solving the problem of what to write next — it’s opening up new ways to be creative, stay relevant, and connect with your audience. In the next section, we’ll dive into how you can start using AI to generate and expand on content ideas.

How to Use AI to Generate Content Ideas

Getting started with AI in your content creation process is easier than you might think. The key is to start with a simple prompt and let AI do the heavy lifting.

For example, let’s say you’re working on a blog about fitness. You could ask an AI tool like ChatGPT to “Generate ten blog post ideas for beginners in fitness.” Within seconds, you’ll have a list of potential topics to work with. But that’s just the beginning.

Once you’ve got some ideas, you can dive deeper. Pick one of the topics that stands out to you and ask AI to help you expand on it. For instance, you could ask, “What subtopics should I cover in a blog post about starting a fitness routine?” This can quickly turn a single idea into a detailed outline or even a series of posts.

Another way AI can help is by organizing your content into clusters. If you have a broad topic like “healthy living,” AI can suggest related subtopics and help you group them together. This not only keeps your content organized but also strengthens your overall strategy by creating interconnected pieces that resonate with your audience.

By starting with these simple steps, you can see how AI can become a powerful tool in your content creation process, helping you generate fresh ideas and structure your content more effectively.

Keeping Your Content Relevant with AI and Trends

Coming up with ideas is one thing, but how do you make sure those ideas are relevant? This is where AI really shines when paired with real-time data from tools like Google Trends.

Here’s how it works: Start by asking AI to generate a list of trending topics in your niche. For example, if you’re in digital marketing, you might ask, “What are some current hot topics in digital marketing?” AI will provide a list of ideas, but how do you know if they’re worth pursuing?

That’s where Google Trends comes in. After getting your AI-generated ideas, head over to Google Trends and see how these topics are performing. Are they gaining traction, or is interest fading? This combination of AI and real-time data helps ensure that your content is not only creative but also timely and relevant.

Balancing trendy content with evergreen pieces is also important. AI can help with both. Let’s say you identify a current trend — AI can help you craft a piece that taps into that buzz. But you can also use AI to develop a related evergreen article that addresses the underlying, long-term aspects of the topic. This way, you’re capturing immediate interest while also building a library of content that stays valuable over time.

Using AI alongside tools like Google Trends means you’re not just creating content that sounds good; you’re creating content that’s relevant and impactful. This approach helps you stay ahead of the curve and keep your audience engaged.

Using AI to Connect with Your Audience

Creating content that resonates with your audience isn’t just about having great ideas — it’s about understanding what your audience really cares about. AI can be a valuable tool in helping you get to know your audience better and tailor your content to their needs.

One way to do this is by using AI to create targeted surveys. For example, you could ask ChatGPT to “Generate five survey questions to find out what remote workers struggle with the most.” These questions can help you gather valuable insights directly from your audience. AI can also suggest effective ways to distribute these surveys and increase participation, ensuring you get the feedback you need.

Social media is another powerful source of audience insight. If you’ve got a post that generated a lot of engagement, AI can help you analyze the comments to identify common themes, questions, or concerns. You can ask something like, “What are the key themes in these comments about remote work productivity?” This analysis can help validate your content ideas or inspire new ones based on what your audience is talking about right now.

After collecting this data, AI can help you interpret the results and turn them into actionable content ideas. For instance, you might ask, “Based on these survey responses and social media insights, what are three content ideas that align with my audience’s interests?” This ensures that your content is not only relevant but also deeply connected to what your audience actually wants to read.

By using AI to understand your audience better, you can create content that truly resonates and drives engagement. It’s about making your audience feel heard and delivering the content they’re looking for.

Overcoming Writer’s Block with a Little Help from AI

Even the best ideas can hit a roadblock when it’s time to start writing. We’ve all been there — staring at a blank screen, unsure of how to begin. This is where AI can step in and help you get past those tough spots.

When you’re feeling stuck, sometimes all you need is a push to get the ideas flowing. AI can provide that by offering writing prompts tailored to your topic. For instance, if you’re writing about tech trends but don’t know where to start, you might ask, “Give me five writing prompts for an article on the future of tech in remote work.” These prompts can spark your creativity and give you a clear direction.

If structure is where you’re getting hung up, AI can help you outline your thoughts. Let’s say you have a general idea but need a roadmap to follow. You could ask AI to “Create an outline for an article about the impact of AI on content creation, including key points and subheadings.” With a structure in place, you’ll find it easier to start filling in the details.

Another way to use AI is for free writing. You can ask AI to generate a few paragraphs on your topic, which you can then build on or refine. This technique is especially useful when you’re struggling to put your thoughts into words — AI can help you get over that initial hurdle by giving you something to work with.

And when dealing with complex topics, AI can help you break them down into more manageable pieces. For example, you might ask, “Break down the topic of digital marketing into five beginner-friendly subtopics.” This way, you’re not overwhelmed by the subject matter and can tackle it piece by piece.

Using AI to overcome writer’s block doesn’t mean letting it do the work for you. Instead, it’s about using AI as a tool to help you get started, organize your thoughts, and keep your writing process moving forward. With a little help from AI, you can turn that blank screen into a completed draft.

Bringing It All Together: How AI Can Transform Your Content Creation

By now, you’ve seen how AI can play a significant role in your content creation process — from generating fresh ideas and staying on top of trends to understanding your audience and overcoming writer’s block. But how do you put it all into practice?

Start by experimenting with the AI techniques we’ve discussed. Use AI to brainstorm new topics, validate those ideas with real-time data, and refine your content to better connect with your audience. The more you incorporate AI into your workflow, the more you’ll find it enhances your creativity rather than replacing it.

Remember, AI is a tool designed to support your unique voice and expertise. It’s there to help with the heavy lifting — like organizing your thoughts or generating new ideas — so you can focus on what you do best: creating content that resonates with your audience.

The key is to find the balance that works for you. Maybe you’ll use AI mostly for brainstorming, or perhaps you’ll find it helpful in structuring your content or analyzing audience feedback. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so feel free to tailor these techniques to fit your needs.

Ultimately, the goal is to make your content creation process smoother and more efficient, allowing you to spend more time doing what you love — crafting content that truly connects with your readers. Give these AI strategies a try, and see how they can transform the way you create content.

Looking Ahead

As you start incorporating AI into your content creation, keep in mind that it’s all about finding what works best for you. AI can be a powerful ally in brainstorming new ideas, staying on top of trends, and even pushing through those moments when writer’s block hits.

But remember, it’s your unique voice and creativity that will ultimately make your content stand out. AI is there to help, not to take over. Use it to support your process, whether that means generating ideas, organizing your thoughts, or connecting more deeply with your audience.

So, why not give it a try? Experiment with these AI techniques and see how they fit into your workflow. The more you use them, the more you’ll discover how AI can help you create content that’s not just consistent, but also engaging and meaningful.

Here’s to smoother, more inspired content creation!

Stay Connected

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Dianne Robbins
Dianne Robbins

Written by Dianne Robbins

AI Marketing Strategist | Developing AI Strategies That Drive Business Growth | DianneRobbinsSocial.com

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