If you started reading this, then we assume you’re looking to be creative (and definitely not boring) when you write creative blog posts. This way you’ll attract plenty of B&B guests as well as interest in your local area. Here are twenty-five ways to write creative blog posts.
1. Advice
You have unique advice that only you can offer to your readers. Once you understand who your ideal guest is, then you can write directly to them. Like you are writing to a friend. They will feel like they know you and you will develop a following of readers (who can become your guests).
2. Cause
Why not rally your readers behind a cause you support? Let them know what you are doing to make a difference and how they can help. For example, perhaps your area is hosting a marathon to raise money for a cause you believe in. Be sure to include a call to action (let them know what you would like them to do in response to the blog post). Seriously, don’t leave that out.
3. Community
Your community can be defined by your local area or it can refer to people who share a common interest or goal. Reach out to your people and connect with them. Blogging about your local community (or a community with whom you share common interests) is a great way to attract people to your inn.
4. Comparison
Take two things and compare them. Whether you compare two breakfast foods or two fun activities, the fun is in comparing and contrasting them. This can be educational, entertaining, or funny as well. Speaking of…
5. Educational
People like learning about things. That is one reason why search engines are so popular. Tell them something that not everyone knows, but you know because you are an expert at it. Everyone is an expert at something. Blog about what you know best.
6. Entertaining
Everyone likes to laugh and have fun. You could blog about entertainment that is coming to your community whether it is a music concert, sporting event, or theatrical production. Be sure to make it “entertaining” to read! Since blogging is writing that is typically less formal than say a report, feel free to let your personality shine in the post.
7. Events
People like finding out about events–ones that will happen and ones that already happened. If you have the “inside scoop” on the latest in your blog!
8. FAQ
This common acronym is short for “frequently asked questions.” Many websites, including ours, have an FAQ page on them. Blog about commonly asked questions. Blogging answers to familiar questions so you can refer your readers to them when they ask. Saves you time in the process!
9. Family
Some of your best material can come from your family members and others with whom you are close. As long as you make it generic enough that you don’t single out any one person (or you know they won’t mind your sharing it) go ahead.
10. Guide
A guide-type blog post could be a collection of tips about a specific topic. While similar to advice blog posts, they are different in that these tips can be applied by a variety of different people–not advice for one type of problem. | Example: “Simple Tips For Taking A Stress-Free Vacation”
11. Hypothetical
Ask your readers what they would do in a hypothetical situation. Maybe you can answer that question as well. These types of blog posts tend to get a lot of comments because people like to imagine, “What if…?”
12. Inspirational
Share something motivational with your readers. Help them connect to you in a powerful way through your telling of someone overcoming a challenge and beating the odds. Maybe that someone who overcame something big is you. Don’t be afraid to share since it could encourage someone else! Check out Reader’s Digest’s 100 of the Most Inspirational Quotes Ever.
13. Instructional or “How To”
Give instructions on how to do something that others want to know how to do, and suddenly you have a captive large audience. You can be creative with your titles of these posts as well. | Example: “How To Teach Your Dog Fun New Tricks” (if you have a pet-friendly inn)
14. Interview
If you don’t have any famous celebrities you happen to know (most of us are in this boat), then you could always interview a person notable for what they do. A person who is accomplished in a career or sport or another area of life. If you interview a person who has an inspiring story and then you have an “inspirational interview”!
15. Lists
People love lists. This post that you are reading (“25 Ways…”) is a list post! | Example: “The 20 Best Party Appetizers” | You get the idea and they will too!
16. Memory
Often, we like to recall fond memories or retell funny stories. We may even want to remember how we overcame a challenge for the sake of helping another person who finds themselves in the same situation. When you blog about a memory, be sure to create a vivid picture in readers’ minds of all the important details of your experience.
17. News
Did you know that sometimes bloggers are the first to break a news story? There have been cases where a blogger has gotten in trouble for sharing some kinds of sensitive information. If you have permission to blog about it, then by all means share!
18. Opinions
If you love sharing your opinions, then blogging is right up your alley. As long as you are tactful and the topic is appropriate, it is alright to share what you think. For example, if you are an environmentally friendly B&B, then sharing your opinion about earth-friendly topics will be appreciated by your audience.
19. Photos
If you took a great picture or want to share several incredible pictures, then you may want to have a photo blog post. When your text is all about what is in your photo(s), then you have a photo blog post. Whether your pictures are of smiling people, grand buildings, or gorgeous nature, there are others who would love to learn about how you managed to capture the photos and the techniques you used in getting it to look the way it does.
20. Predictions
It is common at the end of the year (or the beginning of the new year) for people to come up with their predictions about some topic. Similar to the hypothetical “what if” posts, these are your thoughts as to what will come about in the next year (or whatever time frame you select) concerning a particular topic. Inquiring minds do want to know!
21. Problems
Life would not be nearly as exciting if there were no glitches. Inevitably, snags come along. You spill chocolate ice cream on your brand-new white shirt. You get a ticket for speeding on your way to an important event. Your problem post could be written to be a funny look at everyday life or it could be a solution post in which you address how to solve a particular problem with a specific idea, product, or service. People are always looking for solutions!
22. Quizzes
Some people love taking quizzes for fun. Why not write a creative blog post that is a quiz about something interesting? | Example: “15 Questions to Discover the Vacation of Your Dreams” | The point is to make your quiz blog post appealing enough to your audience so that they want to take it.
23. Reviews
Everybody loves reading reviews. You could blog a book review, a restaurant critique, or a movie screening. Reviews help other people who, for example, were thinking about reading the same book, dining at the same restaurant, or watching the same movie; decide if they want to be based on your review. When you write a review blog post, you have the power to influence your readers to take action or avoid it.
24. Secrets
This can mean quick shortcuts or little-known details. Like news posts, people like finding out things they would not normally know had they not read your creative blog posts. The same cautions apply!
25. Stories
People love reading fascinating stories. A story blog post captures the attention of your audience yet is brief enough to be the length of a blog post. Stories with important lessons for your readers earn you loyal readers.
Creative Blog Posts Conclusion
Try one (or a combination of several) of these types of creative blog posts the next time you write! Don’t be afraid to write creative blog posts for your guests. Most importantly, enjoy the process that blogging requires.
B&B Consulting
Experienced realtors Rob Sales, of B&B Consultants, is happy to assist innkeepers looking to buy or sell their properties or who need his expertise as a consultant. Both Rob, and his wife Jane, have previously owned and operated bed and breakfast inns. Contact Rob today for a complimentary phone consultation.