9 proven ways to spark content ideas

Running low on content ideas? The good news is there are plenty of strategies to ignite your creativity and keep your content flowing. Here’s how to get started.

Zaneta Styblova

Published on Jan 22, 2025

Coming up with fresh content ideas in 2025 can feel like chasing a moving target. Audiences evolve, trends shift, and sometimes it feels like every good idea has already been taken. But here’s the good news—there are plenty of ways to spark creative ideas and keep your content pipeline full. Let’s talk about how to make it happen.

#1 Start with mind mapping tools

Tools like MindMeister, Miro, and Coggle can help you visually connect ideas, uncover hidden angles, and branch out from a central concept. Whether you’re planning a new blog series or brainstorming video topics, mapping it out often reveals paths you hadn’t considered.

Miro enables you to capture, organize, and map out your ideas in a structured way.

The beauty of mind maps lies in their flexibility. Start with a core idea in the center and let related concepts naturally branch out. You can categorize ideas by themes, formats, or even audience segments. For example, if you’re focusing on  “health trends,” branches could include DIY wellness projects, product reviews on fitness gadgets, interviews with health experts, or trend analyses on emerging diets. These visual connections make it easier to spot gaps and opportunities.

💡 What you could try: Collaborate with your team using shared digital whiteboards like Mural to encourage diverse perspectives and real-time brainstorming. Or use these boards to store and organize your ideas.

#2 Dive into social listening

What are people talking about right now? Platforms like Brandwatch and even Reddit threads are goldmines for trending topics and pain points. Listen in, join conversations, and you’ll spot content opportunities that directly speak to your audience’s needs.

With 97.2 million daily active users, Reddit is one of the best places to learn what people really think about—well, almost anything.

Social listening also helps you keep tabs on competitors and industry thought leaders. Look for recurring questions, frustrations, or emerging themes. By engaging with online communities, you can turn insights into actionable content that resonates.

💡 What you could try: Use tools like AnswerThePublic or SparkToro to uncover common questions and trending topics within your niche, giving you a clearer picture of audience interests.

#3 Use AI to generate new ideas

Everyone is familiar with ChatGPT and similar tools, but did you know content management systems (CMSs) like Kontent.ai have native AI skills that allow you to securely refine your content and generate ideas? 

When you’re stuck while working on a content piece, you don’t have to leave the platform—you can ask the AI assistant to help you continue writing.

💡 What you could try: Experiment with AI-powered content inspiration tools like Jasper to generate headlines, outlines, or social media post ideas tailored to your audience. Or use the native AI capabilities within a CMS like Kontent.ai to create and refine drafts without switching platforms.

#4 Revisit and refresh old content

Sometimes, the best ideas are already in your content repository. Look back at your past top-performing pieces and ask yourself: Can this be updated? Expanded? Turned into another format? Tools like Google Analytics and Ahrefs can help you identify which content is worth revisiting.

Content reuse is all around us. Take Marvel, for instance—they transform fan-favorite movie scenes into LEGO sets, adapt storylines into video games, release behind-the-scenes documentaries, and repurpose iconic moments into other merchandise like posters, apparel, and collectibles.

Repurposing content saves time and gives your audience updated insights on topics they already love. So, which content resonates most with your audience on your website?

💡 What you could try: Turn a high-performing blog post into an infographic, podcast episode, or LinkedIn article to reach new audiences.

#5 Engage with your community

Your audience is a well of ideas waiting to be tapped. Run polls on Instagram Stories, ask questions on LinkedIn, or start a thread on X to hear what they’re curious about. Their responses might just lead you to your next big content hit. 

At Kontent.ai, we always turn to our customers for inspiration. For example, here’s a short session where we answered questions from our partners and customers around optimizing their content operations. The voices of our community inspire us to develop focused, actionable content—and you can do the same!

💡 What you could try: Host a live Q&A session or AMA (Ask Me Anything) to gather real-time questions and pain points.

#6 Keep a swipe file

Inspiration can strike anywhere, so be ready. Use tools like Notion, Evernote, or even a good old Google Doc to save interesting articles, catchy headlines, or creative formats you come across. When you’re feeling stuck, scroll through your collection and let it spark new ideas.

Use Pinterest or any other creative tool to create your own swipe file so you never run out of ideas.

Regularly reviewing your swipe file can help you identify patterns and recurring themes that align with your brand’s voice and goals.

💡 What you could try: Create themed swipe files based on content types, such as email subject lines, social media hooks, or storytelling frameworks.

#7 Explore cross-industry trends

Don’t just look at what’s trending in your industry—peek into others. How are fashion brands telling stories? What trends are emerging in tech or wellness? Sometimes, borrowing concepts from outside your niche can lead to fresh, standout content.

A great example of an effective crossover was the partnership between e.l.f. Beauty and American Eagle Outfitters. These two brands didn’t just draw inspiration from each other—they teamed up to create a unique, co-designed product line aimed at reaching Gen Z consumers (It’s the collab of your “jeans.” The #1 GenZ makeup brand* is teaming up with the #1 GenZ jeans brand for ages 15-25** to launch a first of its kind makeup and skincare collection).

This collection is a great example of how brands from different industries can blend their signature styles to create something fresh and unexpected.

Cross-industry inspiration can introduce innovative approaches that make your content stand out in a crowded market.

💡 What you could try: Subscribe to newsletters outside your field and attend virtual conferences to gain insights from different sectors.

#8 Set aside time for brainstorming

Creativity needs space. Block out time in your calendar just for brainstorming—no pressure, no deadlines. Use this time to play around with mind maps, browse trends, or free-write ideas. Sometimes, the best ideas come when you’re not forcing them.

There are many ways to brainstorm, and the right approach depends on what sparks your creativity and fits your workflow.

Make brainstorming sessions a regular part of your content workflow to prevent burnout and encourage creativity.

💡 What you could try: Try different brainstorming techniques such as reverse brainstorming (thinking of what not to do) or SCAMPER (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse) to generate fresh perspectives.

#9 Interview experts in your organization

Engaging with experts within your organization can help you stay ahead of trends and gain valuable insights from different areas of expertise. What are the challenges their team faces right now? Which industry trends are they most excited about or concerned about? What are some common myths in their area of expertise that they’d like to debunk?

A great example of this approach is Google’s Search On series—an original documentary that highlights how people around the world use Google technology to solve real-world challenges and drive positive change. You can achieve similar results by tapping into the knowledge within your organization and gathering stories of how your product is making a difference in the lives of your users. 

💡 What you could try: Record video interviews and repurpose them into blog posts, social media snippets, and email newsletters.

Feeling inspired?

Generating fresh content ideas can feel challenging, but there are many strategies to keep your content pipeline full. With the right tools and mindset, you can keep your ideas flowing:

  • Try any of the cool mind mapping tools
  • Dive into social listening to hear what your audience is buzzing about
  • Let AI help you brainstorm new ideas right within your CMS
  • Don’t forget to refresh old content, engage with your community, and explore trends from other industries for inspiration
  • Keep a swipe file ready for those  “aha!” moments and make time for regular brainstorming to keep the creative juices flowing

There are endless ways to spark creativity and keep your content on point—want to see how AI in Kontent.ai can help you come up with new content ideas? Schedule a demo and see for yourself how easy it can be!

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