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Why We Don’t Charge for Blog Topics

March 3, 2011 46 Comments
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free blog topics

Over at For Bloggers By Bloggers, we offer free weekly blog topics every Saturday. A collection of various ideas, titles and niches, it’s to help bloggers get inspiration when they hit the blog topics wall.

As bloggers, we know how difficult it can be to come up with just the right idea sometimes. It could just be that your mind is a little empty on a given day, or you’re not quite sure how to make the next post seem a little bit different from your previous one.

So, the blog topics section was set up just for these times. So far, we’ve provided 30 specific ideas and topics for you to run with, although we’ve deliberately set it up so you can take the ideas we provide and use them regardless of the niche your blog covers.

It’s been really well-received, and we’ve started to see some of the blogs coming back that have taken our topics and run with them. So, great to see that the service is helpful.

One of the funny things, if you like, that has come about is the question why we don’t charge for our blog topics. There are other bloggers that are offering a similar service, but charging around ten bucks a month for it. So why don’t we charge as well, and are our blog topics less useful because they’re not being charged for?

Ideas Are Everywhere

The simple response to why our blog topics are free is that ideas are everywhere. I know I’ve gotten an idea for a blog post just walking down the street and seeing how a couple interacts. Or how a business responds to a query. Or how a child can teach us about blogging.

Additionally, ask any blogger where some of their post ideas have come from and they’ll probably reply, “From my comments.” See, the great thing about blogs is that they’re two-way. You write the post and start a conversation, but the comments are the gold where even more ideas can be born, including follow-up posts and new blog topics altogether.

So if bloggers get a lot of ideas from their community, then – in a sense – the blogger should be paying their commenters for their ideas, no? Same goes for other bloggers – if you write a blog post and I’m inspired to write my own based on that, you gave me the idea. So, should I pay you for that?

So, yeah, ideas are everywhere.

Ideas Aren’t Always Premium

Riffing on the above, most people pay for a product or service because it offers a premium advantage to something you can get for free. It’s the reason business and customers exist. For me, ideas aren’t premium.

As I mention above, ideas are everywhere – all you need do is look. But if you’re not sure where to look, then that’s where something like our blog topics come into play. But premium?

If we were to offer you steps and strategies on what to do with these topics, then that has the potential to become a premium service. For example, if we were to share how you can then promote these topics ; how it can be used to drive sales leads your way; or how you can measure how successful your post was and how many new readers you got – and kept – then that becomes a premium service.

Ideas are definitely useful, but it’s the strategies that drive the ideas where the real value (usually) lies.

Premium versus Free

Does this mean you shouldn’t pay for blog topics? That’s up to you. Like anything, you gauge the value from what’s free and what’s premium, and how much of a difference there is between the two.

Does the fact that something’s premium mean it’s better? Maybe, maybe not. Although I’m obviously biased, I think getting 10 free blog topics every week from a team of multiple award-winning bloggers offers great value. Again, though, it’s in the eye of the beholder, and the value received.

There’s definitely a need for premium blog services, and we’ll be offering some soon with the likes of blog auditing, blog mastermind classes and more launching soon. But sometimes there’s also a need just for straightforward help for bloggers who’ve helped you get to where you are, or want to be.

Making that help free is just a nice way to say thanks. It’s also another reason why our blog topics are free – it’s our way of saying thanks for your support.

Cheers!

image: jangelo

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About Danny

Danny Brown is Chief Technologist at ArCompany and an award-winning marketer and blogger. His blog is recognized as the #1 marketing blog in the world by HubSpot. Danny is also co-author of Influence Marketing: How to Create, Manage and Measure Brand Influencers in Social Media Marketing.

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Alt2Att
Alt2Att

I just started my own blog, and was wondering how to come up with topics. I had no idea you offered free topics on Saturdays...thanks!

Alt2Att
Alt2Att

I just started my own blog, and was wondering how to come up with topics. I had no idea you offered free topics on Saturdays...thanks!

Alt2Att
Alt2Att

I just started my own blog, and was wondering how to come up with topics. I had no idea you offered free topics on Saturdays...thanks!

Wes Towers@Graphic Design Melbourne
Wes Towers@Graphic Design Melbourne

Hi, Danny. The great thing about helping others out without asking for anything back is that it returns to you hundredfold. This must be one of the reasons for your being the blogger that you are, mate. Cool! ;)

Danny
Danny

Hey there Wes,

Cheers, mate - and agree completely. I know I wouldn't have written some of the posts on this blog without inspiration from those around me (commenters, social connections, etc) so it seems only natural to return the "favour". :)

Wes Towers@Graphic Design Melbourne
Wes Towers@Graphic Design Melbourne

Hi, Danny. The great thing about helping others out without asking for anything back is that it returns to you hundredfold. This must be one of the reasons for your being the blogger that you are, mate. Cool! ;)

Danny
Danny

Hey there Wes, Cheers, mate - and agree completely. I know I wouldn't have written some of the posts on this blog without inspiration from those around me (commenters, social connections, etc) so it seems only natural to return the "favour". :)

Thomas
Thomas

Hi
Maybe I should take a look at "For Bloggers By Bloggers". Sometime it can be difficult to get a good idea for a blogpost. Thank you for the tip.

Danny
Danny

Love to have you over there, Thomas, and feel free to contact us any time with ideas or suggestions you might have. :)

Thomas
Thomas

Hi Maybe I should take a look at "For Bloggers By Bloggers". Sometime it can be difficult to get a good idea for a blogpost. Thank you for the tip.

Danny
Danny

Love to have you over there, Thomas, and feel free to contact us any time with ideas or suggestions you might have. :)

Keith Davis
Keith Davis

Sounds good to me Danny
I appreciate that you appreciate us.
Keith

Keith Davis
Keith Davis

Sounds good to me Danny I appreciate that you appreciate us. Keith

Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion
Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion

First of all Danny, it's awesome you offer this service. Very cool. Although I can't say I do the same thing per se, I'd like to think I'm helping people position their minds to 'see a blog article in every opportunity'.

This brings me to my main point, which you described nicely above in the diverse way content/article ideas pop into your head.

I've come to the point where I think the greatest key of becoming an A-list blogger (like Mr. Brown ;-) is the skill of seeing your life just a little bit differently than the rest of the world does. In other words, most folks, and many aspiring bloggers, are surrounded by unique experiences and writing opportunities all day long-- yet they just don't see it. They can't seem to turn a conversation with a co-worker into a powerful lesson. They can't seem to understand that the experience they had in their favorite restaurant the other day could be something that would be a perfect learning tool for others. Simply put, their blind to life's many lessons....and thus can't seem to find anything to write about.

But the guy or gal that masters this technique?? Yep, off to the races.

Great read Danny.

Marcus

Danny
Danny

Haha, flattery will get you everywhere, Marcus. :)

I knew someone that took a dictaphone everywhere they went, because they never knew when inspiration would strike. They made audio notes and ideas for post titles and how they'd flow, then go back and write the post.

Like you say, always being aware of your surroundings - and that includes online too - can reap you some surprising rewards.

Cheers, mate! :)

chaitanya Battaluri
chaitanya Battaluri

ya, that is surely the best answer anyone can expect. The one who sees things in a special way that others do not is the real champion and will surely become a great person

Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion
Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion

First of all Danny, it's awesome you offer this service. Very cool. Although I can't say I do the same thing per se, I'd like to think I'm helping people position their minds to 'see a blog article in every opportunity'.

This brings me to my main point, which you described nicely above in the diverse way content/article ideas pop into your head.

I've come to the point where I think the greatest key of becoming an A-list blogger (like Mr. Brown ;-) is the skill of seeing your life just a little bit differently than the rest of the world does. In other words, most folks, and many aspiring bloggers, are surrounded by unique experiences and writing opportunities all day long-- yet they just don't see it. They can't seem to turn a conversation with a co-worker into a powerful lesson. They can't seem to understand that the experience they had in their favorite restaurant the other day could be something that would be a perfect learning tool for others. Simply put, their blind to life's many lessons....and thus can't seem to find anything to write about.

But the guy or gal that masters this technique?? Yep, off to the races.

Great read Danny.

Marcus

Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion
Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion

First of all Danny, it's awesome you offer this service. Very cool. Although I can't say I do the same thing per se, I'd like to think I'm helping people position their minds to 'see a blog article in every opportunity'. This brings me to my main point, which you described nicely above in the diverse way content/article ideas pop into your head. I've come to the point where I think the greatest key of becoming an A-list blogger (like Mr. Brown ;-) is the skill of seeing your life just a little bit differently than the rest of the world does. In other words, most folks, and many aspiring bloggers, are surrounded by unique experiences and writing opportunities all day long-- yet they just don't see it. They can't seem to turn a conversation with a co-worker into a powerful lesson. They can't seem to understand that the experience they had in their favorite restaurant the other day could be something that would be a perfect learning tool for others. Simply put, their blind to life's many lessons....and thus can't seem to find anything to write about. But the guy or gal that masters this technique?? Yep, off to the races. Great read Danny. Marcus

Danny
Danny

Haha, flattery will get you everywhere, Marcus. :) I knew someone that took a dictaphone everywhere they went, because they never knew when inspiration would strike. They made audio notes and ideas for post titles and how they'd flow, then go back and write the post. Like you say, always being aware of your surroundings - and that includes online too - can reap you some surprising rewards. Cheers, mate! :)

chaitanya Battaluri
chaitanya Battaluri

ya, that is surely the best answer anyone can expect. The one who sees things in a special way that others do not is the real champion and will surely become a great person

Roli
Roli

Wow It's very awesome post , thanks Danny
I loved Your Blog .

chaitanya Battaluri
chaitanya Battaluri

It is a awesome post. I rather prefer having my own ideas on topics. I liked the post a lot. Ya, it happens sometimes you are walking down the street and find something unusual and you happen to write about it . There are also cases when you and your friends are in a conversation about a topic and you happen to write the topic in the next few days. great post

Danny
Danny

And that's the great thing about blogging, Chaitanya - like you say, inspiration can come from anywhere, and very often in the least likeliest of places.

We're just here to give some pointers if they run dry. :)

Danny
Danny

And that's the great thing about blogging, Chaitanya - like you say, inspiration can come from anywhere, and very often in the least likeliest of places.

We're just here to give some pointers if they run dry. :)

chaitanya Battaluri
chaitanya Battaluri

I forgot about the comments, i hardly have comments being a new blogger but, i love to answer them. It is true that comments give the ideas

Roli
Roli

Wow It's very awesome post , thanks Danny I loved Your Blog .

chaitanya Battaluri
chaitanya Battaluri

It is a awesome post. I rather prefer having my own ideas on topics. I liked the post a lot. Ya, it happens sometimes you are walking down the street and find something unusual and you happen to write about it . There are also cases when you and your friends are in a conversation about a topic and you happen to write the topic in the next few days. great post

Danny
Danny

And that's the great thing about blogging, Chaitanya - like you say, inspiration can come from anywhere, and very often in the least likeliest of places. We're just here to give some pointers if they run dry. :)

chaitanya Battaluri
chaitanya Battaluri

I forgot about the comments, i hardly have comments being a new blogger but, i love to answer them. It is true that comments give the ideas

Mark Harai
Mark Harai

Danny - thank you for this awesome resource you and your team provide the blogging community. I've gotten some great ideas already and I'm looking forward to being inspired even more.

You said it -- there are multiple award-winning bloggers providing something of great value here. Perhaps some aspiring bloggers will see the fact that success and monetization comes from doing things for the right reasons and not just a thirst for making money. You can build quite an empire on a solid reputation and good name :)

For the long term thinkers... Cheers my friend!

Danny
Danny

Hey there Mark,

Cheers, buddy, and glad you're finding the series helpful - that's all we can ask for at the end of the day.

And I couldn't agree more with the "just a thirst for making money" quote, mate - great point.

Cheers! :)

Mark Harai
Mark Harai

Danny - thank you for this awesome resource you and your team provide the blogging community. I've gotten some great ideas already and I'm looking forward to being inspired even more. You said it -- there are multiple award-winning bloggers providing something of great value here. Perhaps some aspiring bloggers will see the fact that success and monetization comes from doing things for the right reasons and not just a thirst for making money. You can build quite an empire on a solid reputation and good name :) For the long term thinkers... Cheers my friend!

Danny
Danny

Hey there Mark, Cheers, buddy, and glad you're finding the series helpful - that's all we can ask for at the end of the day. And I couldn't agree more with the "just a thirst for making money" quote, mate - great point. Cheers! :)

Doug Haslam
Doug Haslam

Nothing is free-- participating in a group like this takes the time and mental effort to establish trust and trade (not just take) ideas. Is the return more valuable than plunking down $10 for a bag of potential ideas each week? Most likely- guess it depends on what works for you. But even then it's not magic-- you have to bring it to life.

The main problem I have with the paid service is that blogs- and ideas (even corporate blogs and topics) are quite personal. You need the stimulation that a networking group (or even walking down the street) gvives you, to make your ideas real.

Danny
Danny

Hey there Doug,

Agree on the stimulus approach, mate - just because the topics are there doesn't mean the magic pot of gold for writing is. Hopefully we spark some gold, but we won't take any in the process. ;-)

Doug Haslam
Doug Haslam

Nothing is free-- participating in a group like this takes the time and mental effort to establish trust and trade (not just take) ideas. Is the return more valuable than plunking down $10 for a bag of potential ideas each week? Most likely- guess it depends on what works for you. But even then it's not magic-- you have to bring it to life. The main problem I have with the paid service is that blogs- and ideas (even corporate blogs and topics) are quite personal. You need the stimulation that a networking group (or even walking down the street) gvives you, to make your ideas real.

Danny
Danny

Hey there Doug, Agree on the stimulus approach, mate - just because the topics are there doesn't mean the magic pot of gold for writing is. Hopefully we spark some gold, but we won't take any in the process. ;-)

Aurelius Tjin
Aurelius Tjin

Very informative post. As always. :) That's the reason why I loved reading your blogs danny. Keep on posting. It's free. :))

Aurelius Tjin
Aurelius Tjin

Very informative post. As always. :) That's the reason why I loved reading your blogs danny. Keep on posting. It's free. :))

Patricia@lavender-oil
Patricia@lavender-oil

Hi Danny

I agree with giving ideas for free, but may have to pay to be taught the execution. Some of my best headlines for posts come from my blogger friends when they reply to my comments on their blogs ;-)

I acknowledge where the inspiration comes from so my way of saying thanks is with a link and anyway, my regular readers would know I couldn't think up some of the titles for my posts lol

Really enjoying your Saturday posts too. Appreciate all that you do to help us on our way with our blogging and business ventures. Thanks Danny. You rock :-)

Patricia Perth Australia

Danny
Danny

Oh, if I paid for every idea that I got from a comment, another blog or even a tweet, I'd probably be bankrupt! ;-)

Glad you're enjoying the posts, Patricia, that's all that matters for us at the end of the day, so good to hear we're doing okay so far. :)

Patricia@lavender-oil
Patricia@lavender-oil

Hi Danny

I agree with giving ideas for free, but may have to pay to be taught the execution. Some of my best headlines for posts come from my blogger friends when they reply to my comments on their blogs ;-)

I acknowledge where the inspiration comes from so my way of saying thanks is with a link and anyway, my regular readers would know I couldn't think up some of the titles for my posts lol

Really enjoying your Saturday posts too. Appreciate all that you do to help us on our way with our blogging and business ventures. Thanks Danny. You rock :-)

Patricia Perth Australia

Patricia@lavender-oil
Patricia@lavender-oil

Hi Danny I agree with giving ideas for free, but may have to pay to be taught the execution. Some of my best headlines for posts come from my blogger friends when they reply to my comments on their blogs ;-) I acknowledge where the inspiration comes from so my way of saying thanks is with a link and anyway, my regular readers would know I couldn't think up some of the titles for my posts lol Really enjoying your Saturday posts too. Appreciate all that you do to help us on our way with our blogging and business ventures. Thanks Danny. You rock :-) Patricia Perth Australia

Danny
Danny

Oh, if I paid for every idea that I got from a comment, another blog or even a tweet, I'd probably be bankrupt! ;-) Glad you're enjoying the posts, Patricia, that's all that matters for us at the end of the day, so good to hear we're doing okay so far. :)

Brankica
Brankica

Aw, this has to be one of the sweetest posts I've ever read. And I mean it.

Not only you are "justifying" giving stuff away for free but saying it is a gift for support... Makes people reading the post feel special.

I think it is a great thing that you are doing and I agree that ideas are everywhere. Heck, I have a notebook full of ideas and when I don't have one in my head, I just go through it and pick one. Or even get a fresh one.

But still like getting some from you on Saturdays so I wanna say thanks for that!

Danny
Danny

There should be a branded notebook just for bloggers - seems it's one of the most popular ways to come up with ideas. :)

Thanks, Brankica, appreciate it miss, and always enjoy seeing you around these parts. :)

Brankica
Brankica

Aw, this has to be one of the sweetest posts I've ever read. And I mean it.

Not only you are "justifying" giving stuff away for free but saying it is a gift for support... Makes people reading the post feel special.

I think it is a great thing that you are doing and I agree that ideas are everywhere. Heck, I have a notebook full of ideas and when I don't have one in my head, I just go through it and pick one. Or even get a fresh one.

But still like getting some from you on Saturdays so I wanna say thanks for that!

Brankica
Brankica

Aw, this has to be one of the sweetest posts I've ever read. And I mean it. Not only you are "justifying" giving stuff away for free but saying it is a gift for support... Makes people reading the post feel special. I think it is a great thing that you are doing and I agree that ideas are everywhere. Heck, I have a notebook full of ideas and when I don't have one in my head, I just go through it and pick one. Or even get a fresh one. But still like getting some from you on Saturdays so I wanna say thanks for that!

Danny
Danny

There should be a branded notebook just for bloggers - seems it's one of the most popular ways to come up with ideas. :) Thanks, Brankica, appreciate it miss, and always enjoy seeing you around these parts. :)

Howie at Sky Pulse Media
Howie at Sky Pulse Media

Is there a topic that has not been blogged about yet? Like Eastern Alpaca Wool Dying Best Practices? Do you guys have a list of such subjects? Would be great to get a peek. Thank you.

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