The 4 ways to dig for content topics

You must have the pillar content you can repurpose into different formats. But how to come up with new topics week in and week out? Here are the four ways to find content topics—so you don’t waste time and instead focus on creating new content and repurposing them.

1. Use BuzzSumo to find popular topics

BuzzSumo is a treasure trove. You can find trending content based on the number of shares across social media and the web. It’s a sure-shot way to search for content topics your audience craves (else, why will it get the most shares?).

Here’s how to use BuzzSumo:

Step 1: Go to BuzzSumo.

Step 2: Enter a keyword related to your niche.

Step 3: You'll get a list of the most popular content on that topic. Add them to your content calendar.

Step 4: Start writing blogs and creating YouTube videos and social media content around that topic.

Here’s an example: I searched for content marketing on BuzzSumo. It showed me the popular topics with the most social shares and engagement.

There's one more way: You can search for the best-performing content of a particular website.

Here's how: Type an industry leader or a competitor website into BuzzSumo. It will tell you what their best-performing content is. Make a list of their ten popular content pieces. Use your unique brand voice to write an in-depth blog on them.

2. Scan Udemy courses

Udemy is a content GOLDMINE. You can find which content users pay for the most (look at the reviews). Why this approach? If someone pays to access a particular content, it implies the topic has a strong demand. You only have to provide the supply by creating engaging content around that topic.

Here’s how to use Udemy to dig for content topics:

Step 1: Go to Udemy.

Step 2: Browse the categories section. Choose the topics related to your niche.

Or you can even search for the topic keyword.

Step 3: You'll get a list of courses. Scroll below to the best-selling/most popular section.

Or filter courses with 4+ stars.

Step 4: Note down the topics of the most popular course. Start creating content on it.

3. Browse YouTube

YouTube has 2B+ users. Millions of people use it daily to watch personalized content—so you can find what content people like and unlike and create accordingly.

Here’s how:

Step 1: List the popular YouTube channels you know in your industry. (You can google search to find them if you don't know. Type "best keyword YouTube channel." For example, "best SaaS YouTube channel").

Step 2: Go to their YouTube channel. Head over to the videos section.

Step 3: Browse the recently uploaded videos and analyze which have above-average views. Or you can click on the popular tab to find the trending content.

Create content accordingly.

4. Social media monitoring

Social media is the ideal place to find content ideas because it’s where people share their opinions, pain points, and likes/dislikes.

Here are some ways to use social media to find content topics:

a) Look at the comment section in your social media posts. See what the people are asking you to create more content on and what they don’t want to consume.

b) Ask them via direct questions (“What content do you want to see more of?”) or poll your users.

c) Shortlist industry influencers and read/view their content. You’ve to find what trends they are talking about—so you can create content accordingly.

d) Browse social media groups to monitor people’s pain points (they will talk about them in the group).