Step-by-step guide to doing research for a blog

Feeling stuck coming up with blog post ideas? I’ve totally been there. Some days, staring at a blank screen can be frustrating. But don’t give up! I’m going to share easy tips to beat writer’s block for good.

This is your guide to finding lots of great topics so you can keep creating content your readers love. We’ll brainstorm fun ideas together. I’ll show you how to research what people are interested in reading about. 

By the end, you’ll have a plan for posts that are super interesting to your audience. You won’t have to deal with writer’s block anymore. Just follow my advice to say bye to blank pages staring at you. Instead, you’ll write posts that get lots of views and make your readers happy. Ready to start coming up with content ideas? Let’s do this!

First, look inside rather than outside. 

When you get an idea for a research project or article, it’s time to dive right into Google and other platforms to start looking up information. But hold on! The best first step is to pause and reflect on what you know about that topic.

Ask yourself: What do I already know about this topic? Make a quick list of any background knowledge or personal experiences you have related to the subject. Don’t worry about organising them neatly; just write them or mind map them. This helps you leverage your existing insights.

Next, ask yourself: What questions do I have about this topic? What gaps are there in my knowledge? Write down your curiosities and unknowns; this could be any stats, rules, history, future predictions, or many more. This helps guide the direction for research to fill in those blanks.

The goal here is to map out what’s already in your head before consulting outside sources. That way, you avoid simply regurgitating the same information as everyone else. 

I’d recommend writing out your thoughts in a notebook or digital document. There is no need to self-edit at this stage; just let the ideas spill out of your brain. Once you have it all down, you’ll have a solid launching pad to kick off the research process and create something truly your own.

Know what your audience intends.

Your target audience searches for specific information online. Understanding the intent behind these searches can help you create relevant, useful content. 

To determine search intent:
Conduct searches using keywords your audience would use. Make sure your browser’s location and language match your audience’s.
Review the “People also ask” and “Related searches” sections in the search results. These provide clues about intent.
Look at autocomplete suggestions as you type keywords. These also indicate intent.
As you research, look beyond just matching the search intent. Find related topics and questions by:
Trying different keyword combinations and phrases
Identifying key themes and subtopics 
Aim to answer your audience’s questions thoroughly and directly. Use an informational, helpful tone.
Present information in a simple format with bullet points and clear headings. 
Keep sentences short and easy to understand. Use an active voice.
Your goal is to create content that fits your audience’s search intent and provides maximum value. Explain topics clearly and completely to become a trusted source.

Connect with experts.

Experts in a field can provide valuable insights for research. Consider reaching out to them for:

Talk with them.
  Email relevant experts explaining that you are writing a piece and would appreciate their commentary on the topic. 
  Be sure to say you will provide author attribution if quoting them.

– Interviews
  Experts may provide unique perspectives through an interview. 
  You can then use parts of the interview as attributed quotes in your content.
  Schedule a video call through conferencing apps. Or send interview questions by email for written responses.

Other ways to connect with experts:
  Look for their blogs, articles, papers, videos, podcasts, and social media. Quote or reference with attribution.
  Follow them on social media and see who they engage with and what they share on social media.
  Use tools like BuzzSumo to find influencers publishing on your topic.

Taking time to research using expert sources, data, and credible publications will add depth to your content. Provide full attribution when quoting or referencing others’ work.

Repeatedly review content

Content can become outdated quickly, even if it comes from a credible source. Keep this in mind when researching:

Prioritise more recent sources when possible. Information evolves rapidly today. What was current last year may now be obsolete.

Double-check old sources against newer publications or data. Look for more up-to-date facts, figures, examples, and perspectives. 

Watch for outdated information like:

  Old statistics or studies

  References to people, products, or events that are no longer relevant

  Processes, prices, or policies that have changed

Consider revising or refreshing older content you reference by:

  Replacing outdated facts and references 

 Adding new, timely examples or case studies

  Including recent data points or quotes

– Providing context around shifts over time

Cite sources clearly with publication dates so readers understand the relative timeliness.

aim to incorporate the most current, accurate information to build reader trust and value. Information goes stale quickly today.

Here are some tools you can use to research and plan content for a blog post in an informative bullet-point style:

Search Engines (Google, Bing): The obvious go-to for looking up information, stats, examples, and sources on any topic. Just be wary of only using sponsored results. 

YouTube: For certain topics like DIY, cooking, technology, etc., video tutorials can help you understand processes and see things in action.

Reddit: Tap into the wisdom of crowds by searching relevant subreddits. Look for previous threads on your topic or ask your own questions. 

Quora: Like Reddit, this crowdsourced Q&A platform lets you find expert opinions already shared or request advice.

Online Encyclopaedias: Wikipedia, Britannica—start here for quick overviews and get links to primary sources. But don’t stop researching here.

News Sites: Quality reporting from major outlets can provide current data, interviews, and reporting on trends. 

Academic Papers: Search databases like Google Scholar for detailed studies and major research on complex topics. 

Books: Especially great for history, biography details, and deep dives into subject matter. Check both physical and digital.

Interviews: Reach out directly to experts for answers to your specific questions and unique perspectives.

Surveys: Create polls and questionnaires using tools like Typeform or SurveyMonkey to gather original data.

The key is using a mix of these options to gather both broad information and specific details, quotes, stats, examples, and viewpoints for an engaging, well-researched post. What tools do you find most useful? I’m always open to new resources for digging into a topic!

Form outlines (H1, H2,…

When organising content for a website or blog post, follow a hierarchical outline structure to make information easy to understand.
Start with a clear, overarching title or H1 tag stating the main topic.
Under the title, use H2 subheadings to categorise broad topic areas within the content.
Add layers of more detailed information under each H2 using H3, H4 tags, etc.

Example outline:

Title (H1): Tips for Planning a Dream Vacation 

H2: Setting Your Budget 
   – H3: Average costs for flights, hotels, food, activities
   H3: Ways to Save Money on Big Expenses
   H3: Building a buffer for unexpected costs

H2: Picking a Destination
   H3: Dream locations based on interests 
   H3: Researching the pros and cons of each
   H3: Matching options to your budget

H2: Booking Flights and Hotels
   H3: Finding deals on flights
   H3: Tips for Saving on Hotel Rooms
   H3: Comparison shopping sites

H2: Mapping Out an Itinerary 
   H3: Must-See Attractions and Activities
   H3: Balancing planned events with free time
   H3: Tools to organise your schedule 

H2: Packing Tips
   H3: Essential Items for Any Trip
   H3: Location-specific gear to bring
   H3: Packing light hacks

H2: Staying Safe and Healthy
H3: Being aware of risks like crime and illnesses
H3: Getting Proper Vaccinations  
– H3: Precautions for Food and Water 

H2: Making the Most of Your Trip
H3: Immersing yourself in the culture
H3: Stepping outside your comfort zone
H3: Capturing memories

The vacation topic allows the outline structure to be demonstrated with headings. 

I hope this blog post has solved your problem to some extent. Remember to give your audience a better return on their time spent on your blog. Do research well, write well, and organise well to find a place in the audience’s heart. Let them expand their knowledge through your writing, and it will ultimately help you grow as well.