One of the questions I hear most often from new bloggers is deceptively simple: what do I write about?
After more than 15 years of blogging and podcasting, I have a go-to strategy that consistently generates dozens of blog post ideas in minutes. It works in every niche, it is free, and it takes advantage of what your audience is already searching for.
The “How To” Keyword Strategy
Here is the approach. Open your favorite keyword research tool. In 2026, good free options include Google's Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, and AnswerThePublic. Paid tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or KeySearch offer more detailed data.
Type in your main topic followed by the words “how to.” For example, if your blog is about WordPress, search for “WordPress how to.” If your blog is about dog training, search for “dog training how to.”
What you get back is a list of actual questions that real people are asking about your topic. Each one of those questions is a potential blog post. Better yet, these are blog posts that you know people are actively searching for because the search data proves it.
Why This Works So Well
When someone types a “how to” query into a search engine, they have a specific problem they want solved. That makes them an engaged reader. If your blog post answers their question clearly and thoroughly, you have earned their trust and potentially a new subscriber or customer.
This strategy also helps with search engine optimization. “How to” queries tend to be long-tail keywords with lower competition than broad terms. A post titled “How to Install a WordPress Plugin Without Breaking Your Site” is much easier to rank for than a post targeting just “WordPress.”
Take It Further
Once you have your list of “how to” topics, look for patterns. Group related questions into content series. Identify the questions with the highest search volume for your priority posts. Look for questions that nobody else has answered well.
You can also expand beyond “how to” by searching for your topic combined with other question words: “why,” “what is,” “best way to,” “mistakes,” and “tips.” Each variation reveals a different angle your audience cares about.
The Real Secret
The bloggers who never run out of content are not more creative than you. They simply have a system for generating ideas. This keyword-driven approach ensures you are always writing about topics your audience actually wants to read. That is the foundation of a blog that grows over time.
Stop staring at a blank screen. Open a keyword tool, type in your topic plus “how to,” and watch the ideas flow.
Hey Mark,
Thanks – that’s obvious, simple and brilliant. Wish I’d thought of it first.
Good one Mark,
Now we need an idea on “How to” come up with a good idea before Mark Mason does! LOL
Have a great 2010!
Rich
Hi Mark,
I love the “how to” idea. Maybe one on “How to build the perfect adsense site”….
Thanks,
Brian
That is a great idea! I now use Market Samurai instead of MNF, but both work well for this.
Thanks for pointing out the obvious, Mark! Google may ignore “how to” but it’s something for us to take into account.
I agree. It’s much easier to answer questions with an article or blog post than to just “make it up.”
I’ve also found that tuning into a popular forum in your topic area yields great results – plus as you answer some of the questions you essentially write the article at the same time. It’s a true time-saver.
Jeanette
Good tip! I definitely need to include more “how to” articles in my blogs and my ezine articles.
This is a really nice tip and I have had the classic “blogger’s block” a lot in the last year.
Last month, due to Lynn Terry’s drive to get us all planning I had a big “Aha!” moment and jotted down monthly themes for my blogs, but I still need specific tips and titles to write about.
Seems like you put the last link in the chain – Thanks Mark!
🙂
Dear Mark,
Your “How To Find Blog Post Topics” came Just In Time. I’ve been thinking about joining Ezine Articles’ Hundred Articles in Hundred Days and I was worried where I would find the topics to write about. Your quick tip here just blew much of those worries away. Thanks for sharing.
Jaime
Mark,
Just perfect! Thank you.
I’ve often read around the Internet that it’s a good idea to write “How To” articles and blog posts. Yet, I’ve not seen anything on how one ought to go about coming up with ideas for it.
Now, I know.
In fact, I was trying to come up with an article that I wanted to do for EzineArticles today. I “followed your directions” and have a “How To” idea ready to be put to paper.
This is one tip, too, that can be used over and over.
Thanks much.
One of those things that make you say “Of course!”, while slapping your forehead. Thanks Mark, this is very useful indeed.
Thanks Mark, great tip and I love using MNF for finding article ideas…. Great thing is you often end up on a tangent digging down on subjects and ending up getting a bunch of topics in all different areas.