December 12, 2006

A Holiday Gift: The 31-Day Calendar of Blog Post Ideas for January

published this at 8:37 am

A Blogging Calendar to Start the Year

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It might seem early for a holiday gift, but folks get busy and go traveling. I didn’t want this list to get lost or overlooked. So,I hope you don’t mind that I give you this gift a little early. . . .

In honor of the holidays and as a thank you to all of you, I’ve made a calendar of 31 Blog Post Ideas to Write About in January.

They say there’s no such thing as an original idea. I tend to agree with that on principle, but I also know that the execution is personal.

At the end of some days, we can’t tell where some ideas started or where they end. We have the same ideas at the same time independently. Our thoughts interweave, connect, and influence each other’s thoughts. Our ideas turn into remarkable and thrilling concepts and realities. Humans, who think up ideas, are incredible at doing that.

You’ve had some of these ideas. I’ve had some. Some have been around, it seems, forever. I’ve tried to twist some when I could. Some come with links to example posts — from my posts, from yours and from others.

I hope you find a few post ideas you can use to make your life easier to have more time to live, to wonder, and to explore.

The 31-Day Calendar of Blog Post Ideas for January

Here goes . . .

    January 1 — Blogtipping for January 1. If you don’t know blogtipping, here’s great blogtipping in action.

    January 2 — Words I Resolve to Avoid for a While. Every person and every industry has overused words. Pick few and write about why they’re off your list for 2007.

    January 3 — Predictions the 30,000 Foot View. So much about blogging is wide open, make a prediction about blogging or about your blog.

    January 4 — A Tour of Your Blog. Give a tour of your blog, the way you might give a tour of your home. Throw in a few memories.

    January 5 — Habits and Personality Traits. Every niche attracts a certain type of people and a certain kind of customers. What do they have in common?

    January 6 — Link to Posts that Stuck with You. Share the posts that have stayed with you. Give encore links and tell why you’re bringing them back.

    January 7 — Post a Quotation and Disagree with It.

    January 8 — Pose a Question. Make it one that you don’t know the answer to.

    January 9 — Write a Post Based a Comment from Your Blog or Another. Pithy and insightful comments are everywhere. Use one to inspire a blog post.

    January 10 — Show off a Cool New Tool. It took seconds to find Gotuit SceneMaker at TechCrunch, Musicovery at Cool Hunting or Grandpa’s Disco Wear at I:Eye, lifestyle directory.

    January 11 — Do a SlideShare that Explains an Idea. Use examples from other blogs within the presentation.

    January 12 — Post about a person folks should know. Have a voice conversation or two first, so that you present his (or her) true spirit.

    January 13 — Link to Posts from New Blogs in Your Niche. Collaborated with each blog’s author to introduce his or her blog to your readers.

    January 14 — Write a post using a photo as the main content.

    January 15 — Write a post in 25 words or less.

    January 16 — Post about a Blog That Readers Might be Surprised You Follow. Give a description of what the appeal is.

    January 17 — Use a Book as a Source.

    January 18 — Start at Traffic School. See where that takes you.

    January 19 — Have a Guest Blogger Post on Something Out of Your Area of Expertise.

    January 20 –Write Your Thoughts after Reading a Blog Headline. Then Read the Post and Write More.

    January 21 — Make a Sign. Say something humorous about your niche.

    January 22 — Write about Misconceptions or Mistakes.

    January 23 — Post the Reverse of a Popular Idea.

    January 24 — Write 25 Common Sense Things Folks Should Know.

    January 25 — Hold a contest, a carnival, a poll, a reader input event — or write a post for one.

    January 26 — Take an Idea from Another Industry. Explain how it would work in yours.

    January 27 — Use these search engines: Sphere and topix.net to make a link list on your favorite topic.

    January 28 — Invite Bloggers to Introduce Their Favorite Blogs or Books They’ve Read.

    January 29 — List Links to Posts You Saved to Write About, But Never Did.

    January 30 — Tell the Secrets of What You Do. Explain why they’re important.

    January 31 — Share Links to Every Blog You’ve Recommended. Keep track all month whenever you send someone to look at or read a blog. Compile that list. Then share it.

And my PLUS ONE: Do your usual read the feeds and pass on the conversation, but . . . re-imagine it. Twist it. Turn it. Bend it. Mash it. Say how someone from history might have done it. Approach every problem and idea with a “how interesting” attitude. Look at everything from a decidedly different point of view, mixing logic and emotion. Don’t be afraid to give yourself a Whack on the Side of the Head and to look at the world with wonder.

Then get jazzed about writing. Twice over.

Happy Holidays and Thank You!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Filed under Idea Bank, SOB Business, Successful Blog, Writing | 40 Comments »


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40 Comments to “A Holiday Gift: The 31-Day Calendar of Blog Post Ideas for January”

  1. December 12th, 2006 at 8:53 am
    Lisa Dilg said

    Hello,

    I just saw that you are planning to write about Gotuit and SceneMaker on January 10. Please let me know if I or the executives at Gotuit can be of any assistance.

    Thanks,

    Lisa

    Lisa Dilg
    For Gotuit
    http://www.gotuit.com
    lisa@perkettpr.com
    313.399.0892

  2. December 12th, 2006 at 9:34 am
    Michelle said

    A great list that I can’t help but link to. Thanks!

  3. December 12th, 2006 at 9:38 am
    ME Strauss said

    Oh Michelle,
    I thank you spend at this blog. It was fun putting my brain to the test of seeing what I came up with and how elaborate it became.

    I wanted a special way to say thank you to everyone.

  4. December 12th, 2006 at 11:07 am
    Char said

    Those are some great ideas. There are some good themes for Open Comment night in there too.

  5. December 12th, 2006 at 11:09 am
    ME Strauss said

    Char,
    You are a gem for pointing out what I’m too close to see. Open Comment . . . hmmmm. :)

  6. December 12th, 2006 at 11:13 am
    Pimp Your Work - Our first Biz Channel Theme Day … Holilday gifts said

    [...] Liz might have the "gift that keeps on giving" … post ideas!  OMG, how often have I sat at the computer knowing I needed to post and thinking "I’ve got nothing".  Liz I think you’ve made my January! [...]

  7. December 12th, 2006 at 11:25 am
    Scot Herrick’s WriteBlog » Blog Archive » “Where do you get your ideas?” said

    [...] Check out “The 31-Day Calendar of Blog Post Ideas for January.” And get the bonus idea at the end of the post. [...]

  8. December 12th, 2006 at 1:26 pm
    Yaro said

    Hey Liz,

    Thanks for including Blog Traffic School in this list.

    It’s actually kinda creepy that you put it on the 18th of January. I feel now that I should aim to have the full course go live on that date.

    Thanks for the pressure of a deadline! ;)

    Yaro

  9. December 12th, 2006 at 3:17 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey Yaro!
    I didn’t mean to pressure you. On the other hand, if it makes for a better course, that would be so cool. :)

  10. December 12th, 2006 at 4:33 pm
    Scorpia said

    Nice list, Liz. Did you check it twice to see who was naughty or nice? ;) (Ah, but naughty is tonight at Open Mic!)

    BTW, drop by my site and check out the Xmas decor.

  11. December 12th, 2006 at 4:36 pm
    ME Strauss said

    We did those kind of lists last week, Scorpia. And believe me, I checked your name three times. Heh-heh :)

    Nice decor. Tasteful. Not noisy and overdone. Easy on the easy and elegant. :)

  12. December 12th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
    31 Blog Post Ideas for January « Ian’s Messy Desk said

    [...] Read the post at Successful Blog: A Holiday Gift: The 31-Day Calendar of Blog Post Ideas for January [...]

  13. December 12th, 2006 at 5:04 pm
    Scorpia said

    Wowee! That means I get three times as much coal in my stocking! ;)

    Thanks for the compliments on the decor (you did mean “easy on the eyes” not “easy on the easy”, right?) Are you gonna dress up your blog for the holidays?

  14. December 12th, 2006 at 6:13 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Scorpia,
    Yeah, easy on the eyes . . . I have some things going on at this end of the screen. Sorry. It’s beautiful is what I mean!

    Three times the coal and maybe a good mystery packed alongside an old radio show. :)

  15. December 12th, 2006 at 6:14 pm
    ME Strauss said

    PS. I hope to get my blog fixed for the holidays!

  16. December 12th, 2006 at 6:46 pm
    Rachel said

    This is fantastic — thank you!! Hopefully I’ll be able to reserve some of these ideas to fill the mental gaps for a few months, not just January!

  17. December 12th, 2006 at 6:56 pm
    Delaney Kirk said

    Great idea Liz. Thanks for sharing this with us. I’m going to start my January/next book topics list for my blog.

  18. December 12th, 2006 at 6:59 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Delaney,
    What a great idea. Let me know if you need help with that! :)

  19. December 13th, 2006 at 8:25 am
    Successful Blog - Holiday Gifts: Energy, Insight, and Ideas!!! said

    [...] This week Pimp Your Blog sponsored a b5 Business Channel Theme Post on Holiday Gifts. That’s what inspired my 31-Day January Calendar of Blog Post Ideas. Great writers and great ideas make this gift list. Click on the title below to take you there.. [...]

  20. December 13th, 2006 at 9:44 am
    Casual Keystrokes » Mouse Got Your Fingers? I Have Solutions. said

    [...] Easton provides us with a list of 111 things to blog about. Now, if you can’t find something on the list that gets you going, then check out Liz’s gift of 31 topics January. [...]

  21. December 14th, 2006 at 9:46 am
    31 Blogging Ideas for the first month of 2007 | Content Writing and CopyWriting Blog said

    [...] Liz shares on her Successful Blog 31 blogging ideas for the month of January. More often than not I post spontaneously — I never know what I’m going to blog about. But I think I should start some planning if I want to continue posting non-stop. I’ve been averaging 3 posts per day since mid-November and I’d like to continue this trend. [...]

  22. December 15th, 2006 at 11:44 am
    Lara said

    Wonderful suggestions, Liz! I can’t wait to put them to good use on all of my sites!

  23. December 15th, 2006 at 11:53 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Lara!
    Welcome. :)
    Yea! That’s exactly why I made it. So cool that you’ve got a way to use it.

    I’m feeling good about that. :)

  24. December 15th, 2006 at 5:18 pm
    Starbucker said

    Oh Liz, now you’re helping me with blogging ideas too – bless you! I just sent them to my printer. Thanks for the gift.

  25. December 15th, 2006 at 5:35 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Starbucker!
    Happy holidays! What nice things you say to a girl! You’re so welcome!

  26. December 17th, 2006 at 11:46 am
    Much More Than A Mom said

    What super ideas! Thanks for sharing!

    (If you have a few minutes to spare, can you email me re: email subscriptions? I have a few questions and we use the same system. Thanks!)

  27. December 17th, 2006 at 2:25 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Thanks for your comment, Muc More Than A Mom. and Welcome! It’s grand to meet you. Do feel free to email me with your question. I’m easy to find.
    Liz :)

  28. December 19th, 2006 at 8:45 am
    Isaak’s Quick Links - 20 December 2006 | Isaak’s World said

    [...] 31-Day Calendar of Blog Post Ideas for JanuaryA good list to follow on starting your blogging year on a good feet. [...]

  29. December 31st, 2006 at 7:47 pm
    Happy New Year: 2007 at Littlemummy.Com said

    [...] Ugliest Toy 2007 Top Ten Quick Activities Alternative Uses for a Sterilizer A Book Review (if I finish…..highly unlikely) Some Ideas from Liz Strauss’ List for January Blogging Photos and Inspiration from the impending makeover of Erins’ Bedroom More Toy Reviews from the Christmas Loot Subscribe by RSS [...]

  30. January 1st, 2007 at 10:14 pm
    Happy New Year Blogtipping » TravelBlog Archive » Family Travel said

    [...] Thanks to some post-a-day ideas from Successful Blog, my brain doesn’t have to think of writing topics for the entire month of January. [...]

  31. January 4th, 2007 at 10:07 am
    Tracy Turner said

    This is a great list. As a new blogger, creating content is a challenge–even though I have much to say! I’ll be using your list to get my January hopping!

  32. January 4th, 2007 at 10:13 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Tracy!
    Welcome!
    I think it’s great that you’re finding it will help you get your ideas rolling this year! You go girl!!!

  33. January 4th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
    LittleMummy.Com Blog Tour at Littlemummy.Com said

    [...] Welcome to the littlemummy.com blog tour (idea via Liz Strauss) [...]

  34. February 24th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
    michael snell and derrick sorles said

    Hello Liz Darling!
    I just found this post, you are so amazing! Thank you for your inspiration and helpfulness to all of us bloggers. BTW, December 12 was Michael’s Birthday so it was meant to be a terrific day for posting!
    HUGS from your neighbors,
    Michael Snell and Derrick Sorles

  35. February 24th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi you guys!
    You make me miss you!
    I want to meet again for coffee!!

  36. February 6th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
    4 January 2007 | A Blog in Review said

    [...] The 31-Day Calendar of Blog Post Ideas for January, which I started [...]

  37. May 21st, 2009 at 5:20 pm
    Help I need ideas! said

    [...] Holiday Gift: The 31-Day Calendar of Blog Post Ideas for January A Holiday Gift: The 31-Day Calendar of Blog Post Ideas for January – Liz Strauss at Successful Blog … is an oldie but a goodie, too. RW __________________ "You either run with the pack [...]

  38. June 19th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
    Travel Planning said

    This is a wonderful article. The things given are unanimous and needs to be appreciated by everyone.
    ——–

  39. July 2nd, 2010 at 11:34 pm
    Marvin said

    Thanks for your post. I’ve been looking for ways to generate posts myself. In fact, I’m looking for topics for whole new blogs that people may actually want to read ^_^ Your post is very helpful. Again, thanks.

  40. February 3rd, 2012 at 9:31 am
    Said in 25 Words « View From Here said

    [...] last year, Liz Strauss led a Sunday Twitter #Blogchat. During the chat she shared several different ideas on creating content for our blogs. One is to write a post in exactly 25 words. So here [...]

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