By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Sometimes coming up with unique and creative blog post idea is a challenge. I understand because I’ve been there more than once. Out of frustration and discouragement, I found a solution that I’ve used repeatedly. Enlist your readers to help you with blog ideas.

Think about this: we write for our readers. We want our content to keep them coming back. Yes, it may stretch us, but putting a smile on our readers’ faces is worth the effort. Why not craft posts according to what they’d like to read and share? Over the years, I’ve provided recipes, guest bloggers, contests, humor, wisdom, writing tips, changes with the publishing industry, and an occasional video. I encourage you to avoid controversial topics, including political, and religious opinions.

The most efficient way to find those topics is to simply ask. Compose a blog post in which you are asking for readers’ help in finding ideas for your (their) blog. Before the post goes public, develop a spreadsheet to record their ideas. Make sure you have time to list the responses because readers love to share their thoughts. To add a little fun to the post, create an incentive. Everyone who comments is entered in a random giveaway for a $25.00 e-gift card of their choice of an Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Christian Book. Yes, you could offer one of your books, but loyal readers and followers probably already have your book(s).

Oh, the amazing feedback on so many topics. In your next blog post, thank everyone for their comments, announce the winner’s first name, and list the top topics that you will share with them in future blog posts.

Hint: I checked off the completed topic on my spreadsheet to keep me organized.

Hint #2: Consider querying once a year for updated reader feedback.

Where do you find your blog post ideas?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, the Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn. or her website: diannmills.com