How Do We Identify Content Topics?
Hey there, I’m Hadi, your go-to Digital Marketing Expert in Kozhikode, Kerala. Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes on how I discover fresh, relevant, and relatable content ideas. Because great marketing begins with knowing what your audience truly cares about, and that starts with smart topic discovery.
Start with Real Conversations
I pay close attention to how people actually talk: in comments, DMs, forums, or social media. Real questions spark real ideas:
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Instagram stories where followers ask, “How do I start with reels?”
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Reddit discussions in r/digital_marketing or r/socialmedia where people share daily hurdles
“What’s the next big thing in digital marketing?”
(like someone asked a few months ago on Reddit).
These conversations aren’t theory, they’re insight gold. Topics born here feel instantly relevant and useful because they tackle real problems.
Use Data & Trend Tools
Tools give you trends across platforms:
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AnswerThePublic and BuzzSumo show what questions people search online.
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Google Trends highlights rising topics.
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Platforms like SEMrush, HubSpot, and Clearscope surface rising keywords and content gaps.
For example, a spike in “interactive content marketing” led me to explore quizzes, polls, and AR experiences, because engagement beats scrolling.
Tap Into AI for Idea Spark
I use AI to brainstorm faster:
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Prompt AI: “Give me 10 content ideas about SEO trends in 2025.”
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Then I added my twist: “How I used voice search optimization in my projects.”
This helps me generate initial ideas while keeping them rooted in my own experience, never generic fluff.
Scan Industry News & Events
Keeping up with big moments matters:
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At Cannes Lions, experts emphasized authenticity and fandom-based marketing.
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Recent news: UGC (user-generated content) is exploding, and people trust real stories more than ads.
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I also follow updates like premium brands using DMs to build trust and use that to create “how-to” explainers.
Learn from Your Competitors
I always check competitors to see what they’re covering and where they’re missing the mark:
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I dig into their top-performing posts (likes, comments, shares).
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I look for questions left unanswered in the comments.
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I use Semrush or Ahrefs to run content-gap analysis, then fill that gap with my own unique take.
If they’re ignoring “voice SEO,” I create a piece like: “What conversational phrases drive voice search today?”
Use Interactive Tools to Hook the Audience
Interactive content informs and engages:
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Quizzes: “Which content marketing strategy fits your brand?”
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Calculator or chatbot: “Estimate your first campaign ROI.”
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Polls or AR filters: “Which Reel intro style do you prefer?”
According to recent research, interactive formats get double the engagement and 50% more leads. Plus, the data audiences provide helps me refine future topics.
Rely on Personal & Team Stories
Nothing beats authenticity. I often share:
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My wins and mistakes from real campaigns.
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A screenshot of my messy desktop—along with a lesson learned.
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A team debate or brainstorming session, to humanize strategy.
Google’s focus on E-E-A-T highlights the power of experience in content. Own your stories, even small mistakes make great content.
Map Ideas with a Content Grid
I organize all ideas into formats like:
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Pillar articles (deep evergreen guides)
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Short-form posts (quick tips for LinkedIn/Reels)
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Interactive tools (quizzes, calculators)
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News updates (timely industry changes)
Each week, I pick one pillar + 2 shorter pieces + 1 interactive element. This keeps content fresh, consistent, and varied.
Repurpose & Refresh Regularly
Old but gold:
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Convert a popular deep-dive blog into a short video.
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Turn webinar questions into Instagram posts.
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Update an evergreen guide with new stats or tool insights.
This type of repurposing keeps things efficient and SEO-friendly
Always Review Feedback & Metrics
After each post, here’s what I check:
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Time on page (internal analytics)
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Engagement rate (at least 3–4 comments per 1,000 views)
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Poll results or quiz completions
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DMs or questions from the community
If a type of content repeatedly performs well, I lean into it. If it flops, I pause and pivot.
Example In Action
Here’s a real-world example:
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The Reddit thread asks for voice search tips.
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Data tools show rising interest in voice SEO.
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AI helps draft title + subheads.
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I write from experience: “I optimized my post by answering ‘Hey Google, how do I…?’”
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I add a quick voice-search quiz.
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I publish a pillar article + 3 Reels.
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Results show high average read time, quiz responses, and questions in DMs.
Why This Works
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It’s human-first, based on real conversations and experience.
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It’s data-driven, using tools to validate topics.
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It’s strategic, organized formats, repurposing, and performance review.
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It’s adaptive, stay on top of trends and pivot fast.
Finding great content topics isn’t magic; it’s a mix of listening, researching, experimenting, and sharing your truth. Do that consistently and you’ll not only stay relevant, but build real trust and growth over time. If you want a template or helper tool to streamline your topic process, I’d be happy to create one for you!