Increase sales volume, profit and revenue Concept. Successful marketing strategy improving lead ... [+] conversion. Business person turning knob to maximum income. Growth boost.If you know deep inside that you need to be doing more to connect regularly with your audience through a blog, an email newsletter, videos, a podcast, or social media, then this message is for you.You know you need to share content consistently. And, truly, you want to. But something is holding you back.I’ve felt each of those weights at one time or another—and here I am, a full-time “writer!”The struggles are real. We’re super busy. We want to hide. We push away the tiny, tentative voice that whispers, "Hey … maybe I really do have something good to share. Maybe the world needs my message.”Yes. I know for a fact that the world needs your message.Your ideal prospects and customers need your message.They need you.Your brilliance and creations are gifts, and now is the time to bring them forth and share them with the world.The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before. Neil ... [+] GaimanMy hope is that this article will stir your creativity and inspire you to create blog posts, social posts, email messages, and other content that get your products, services, and passions into the world.You might want to keep a notebook or journal handy as you read because creative ideas love to take off and fly quickly after you find them.I keep a spreadsheet called "Content Ideas," which I open each time an idea for content sparks. On that sheet, I collect images, URLs, quotes, and anything else that inspires me and that I think will inspire or help my tribe.Spreadsheet ... journal ... notebook ... the format doesn't matter. What does matter is that you're prepared to capture the ideas that will come to you as you dig in.I believe inside each of us lives a creative genius. Sometimes it takes but a spark to set that genius free and on fire. May this article be that spark for you.Now, let’s dig in with the first form of content.Young man making a video blog. Male vlogger recording content on digital camera.Behind-the-scenes content gives your tribe a peek at what makes you tick or what it takes to bring your products, services, or talents to the world.People buy from people and companies they know, like, and trust. Sharing glimpses of your world helps people get to know you better so they can like you more and, ultimately, trust you and buy from you.As you explore each type of content, I’ll give you titles for hypothetical content that might live in the world. If you spot a title you think would work for you and your brand, feel free to use it.Here are several examples of behind-the-scenes content:Business career challenges concept. Businesswoman imagining to be a super hero looking aspired ... [+] making career plansThink of challenge content in one of two ways:What'll it be? Challenged to? Or challenged by?Cheat sheet isolated on whiteCheat sheet content recaps or summarizes instructions or information your audience needs to accomplish a task, reach a goal, eliminate a challenge, or take advantage of an opportunity.Whether you're blogging, vlogging, or Facebook Live-ing your cheat sheet content, consider also providing the cheat sheet in downloadable form.Why pass up a chance to collect the reader's contact information in exchange for the download?Orange marking on checklist box with pen, Checklist conceptChecklist content helps people move through a process while "checking off" items on a list.Many checklists, in the blog or download format, use check marks as bullet points instead of the typical dots. Consider using boxes or underlined spaces that allow readers to physically check off items as they move through the process.And if you're vlogging, by all means share your checklist content by video, and then provide an accompanying downloadable version.woman hand holding red and green apple fruit for dietTo create great comparison content, put yourself in the mind of your prospects. What questions do they have? What lingering problems do they struggle with? What information do they want to know?Then, choose two or more products, services, methods, approaches, types, or other elements that get at what people are looking for, and compare the same variables for each.If the topic lends itself to a table, frame the data that way and make it downloadable so the content is easy to consume.astonished young female watching content on her laptop with headphones in ears, can't believe what ... [+] she saw, with her mouth open. amazed, astonished reaction conceptControversy content is a fabulous way to rise above the din and stand out in the sea of sameness.Do you disagree with a commonly held belief? Say so in a piece of controversy content.Did a recent blog post by an authority in your field cause your lip to twitch and your eyebrow to raise? Tell the world your view on the matter.The only rule is to keep it tactful and respectful.Rear view of large group of students raising their hands to answer the question on a class.Frequently-asked-question (FAQ) content serves two purposes.First, it gives you a better chance of showing up in search results when someone asks one of the questions your content answers.Second, FAQ content allows people to get at the answers they're seeking. And because the answers come from you, they smooth the path to a purchase from you.If you're blogging or vlogging, create one post per question, or group questions by theme or topic in a single post.The key here is to publish content that answers questions prospects and customers often ask.Cornerstone content, pillar content, foundation content, topic clusters... all are ways to describe ... [+] the key content you write about and aroundFoundation content, also known as pillar or cornerstone content, focuses on topic clusters that sit at the foundation of your business. These clusters involve concepts your prospects ought to know about before doing business with you or anyone else in your industry.It's the kind of content you’d most often point people to when they show an interest in your business.Foundation content also establishes you as an authority, brings search traffic your way, and gives you an opportunity to educate and gently sell.3D illustration of the text how to over blue background with question tags shapes in relief. Concept ... [+] of knowledge.How-to content helps your tribe do something they want to do, step by step.Don't worry about giving too much away! Many people don't actually want to do it themselves; they just want to be sure you know what you're doing, and that you can do it better than they can.If you're selling products, think of scenarios in which people will use what you're selling, and then tell them how to do those things better, faster, and easier —all while using your products.Concept photo for personality, character and emotional expression. A woman in business suit holding ... [+] up a photo of herself in front of her with various range of emotional expressions exhibited in the background wall behind her. From happiness to sadness, anger to joy, apprehension to confidence. Photographed in panoramic horizontal format in studio.Although image content still uses text, it relies primarily on images to communicate information or tell a story.Take photos with your phone. Use quality images from any of the free image sources out there. Take screenshots. Then, line up the images one after another to lay out, visually, what you want to say.Add text above and below each image to guide the reader through the content.Or consider annotating the images to tell the story. Arrows, circles, numbers, and text boxes placed directly on images help readers quickly "get" what you want them to see on your images.light bulb in various creative watercolors. modern design idea concept vector.Use inspiration content to open people's hearts and minds to the success you know is possible.Share quotes you know will motivate and inspire, and examples of others who've reached the levels your prospects want to reach.The trick here is to find out what your audience aspires to be, do, and have, and then publish inspirational and motivational material that keeps the spark alive or makes it burn brighter.list infographic template design . business infographic concept for presentations, banner, workflow ... [+] layout, process diagram, flow chart and how it workListicle is just a cutesy name for a list.The question is—what kinds of lists might help or appeal to your prospects and customers?A list of tools, resources, DOs, DON'Ts, WHYs, WHY NOTs ... the list goes on!http://www.tomnulens.be/istock/newbanners/keywords.jpgNews content is just what it sounds like—content that conveys news.Are you launching a new product? Is there a shift happening in your market? Is there something newsworthy going on that your ideal customer will want to know about?Convey that information through news content.A cartoon drawing of a businessman listening to another man rant in the break room.If done with care, rant content can attract attention and position you as a leader and maverick in your field, someone who goes against the grain and challenges the status quo.Be firm in sharing your stance and point of view but always be kind, respecting the opinions and practices of those who see things differently.Think of rant content more as a persuasive tool and less an outlet for angst.How can you share your rant AND sway opinions and behaviors around something relevant to you and your audience?Customer review satisfaction feedback survey concept, rating service experience on online ... [+] application.Use review content to share your advice and recommendations on subjects of interest to your audience.Would readers appreciate a monthly book review? Or perhaps you could sample new software, a new-to-you gadget, a service that promises to be helpful, or that new planner you bought and love?If you use or know of experts, products, services, strategies, or tactics that will help your audience thrive—or that your audience should avoid—share your thoughts in review content.Business Process Concept Shapes PaperRoundup content provides a collection of related links, quotes, insights, or other information, giving people an overview of or different perspectives on the topic at hand.Use the link roundup to share links to your latest, best, or most-commented-on content, or to share similar content on external sites.To create expert roundup content, ask a set of questions to a group of experts and then share their answers with your audience.There are also product roundups, statistic roundups, image roundups, deck roundups, customer roundups ... you get the idea!Smiling man lying on the couch and shopping online with credit card and laptopSister to FAQ content, should-ask- question (SAQ) content allows you to preemptively answer questions that prospects and customers should ask but often don't.Use SAQ content to overcome common customer objections and concerns. Or, use it to educate people on the finer points of your product or service—points they may know nothing about.Publishing SAQ content is a great way to develop trust.Imagine a website that answers all of your questions and leaves you feeling 100% confident in handing over your credit card.Yeah. That's the power of SAQ content.A Satisfied Customer Is The Best Business Strategy of AllSuccess story content shares the story of customers' successful experiences with you.Include what life was like before you came along, and what changed to make customers seek you out.Explain the buying process, the learning curve, and what went into making things work.Then paint a picture of life after your product or service came along, showing the benefits, changes, and results.Female creative professional recording a video blog vlog in her office.Video content gives people an opportunity to "meet" you in a more engaging way than through text alone.What to say? Expound on a tactic you recommend. Share snippets of your favorite book. Give a tour of your workspace. Show and tell your way through a process or procedure.Whatever you say, use a single video or a series of videos as the bulk of the content that communicates your message.Portrait of young thoughtful woman with hand on chin having an idea against grey background. ... [+] Beautiful pensive woman looking away while thinking. Close up face of natural girl planning her future isolated on gray wall with copy space.What-if content captures attention and gets people thinking about possibilities. It may also encourage debate.Raise questions to which the answer is, "That would be nice, but it's not possible," opening the door for you to share what is possible.Ask questions related to the problems people or companies struggle with. Or ask questions that raise a few eyebrows and entice readers to click in just to see the replies.Did this article spark any new content ideas for you? If so, let me know in the comments. It’s always great to know that MY content is helping readers just like you.