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The Hotline
11+ AI Tools To Generate Idea Inspiration
Ever felt like you’re out of content mojo?
Your idea well is dry, and no one’s around to help you spark something worth sharing.
The blank screen stares back at you. The cursor blinks, taunting you to create.
Stop fretting (or scrolling your feed to distract from your creative block). Instead, call up some AI idea generators. They’ll always take your calls.
HubSpot Blog Topic Generator
Best use: Generate quick blog title ideas from keywords.Canva Blog Topic Generator
Best use: Brainstorm blog post and headline ideas visually.Ahrefs Blog Post Ideas Generator
Best use: Find SEO-informed blog topic ideas with data insights.Copy.ai Content Idea Generator
Best use: AI-generated ideas for multiple content formats.QuillBot Weekly Newsletter Generator
Best use: AI assistance for newsletter topic and draft ideasTalkNotes Podcast Ideas Generator
Best use: Episode and interview idea inspiration.SocialBee Post Generator
Best use: Create cross-platform captions and content prompts.Instagram Reel Idea Generator (FatJoe)
Best use: Get ideas for Instagram Reels and short-form content.TikTok Hook Generator (TrustUGC)
Best use: Generate catchy opening hooks for short-form videos.TikTok Content Idea Generator (NeuralText)
Best use: Full-length video idea generation for TikTok.Video Hook Generator (Botowski)
Best use: Brainstorm opening lines for YouTube or short-form video.
BY THE WAY: Don’t stick to the suggested ideas. Some may work as presented, but more will benefit from being used as inspiration to spark an original idea in your brain.
The Challenge
Take 10 minutes to generate 10 ideas using two of these idea generators. Compare and contrast the output to identify which tool is more likely to be useful the next time your idea well runs dry.
Don’t just use this ideation process to come up with a single idea. Use it to supplement or jumpstart your content calendar with several (or more) credible content topics and angles. That’s the way to maximize the effort and minimize the times the blank screen taunts you.
MORE: Want more free AI tools to generate ideas? Check out the extended list of 24 idea generators and get a prompt that can help you get ideas that you haven’t done before.
GOT A QUESTION? I’d love to answer your question in an upcoming edition of The Hotline. What do you need help with? What puzzles your work? Reply to this email.
The Marketing Minute
Social proof increases trust and credibility. It also reduces a buyer’s uncertainty, and in some cases, it creates a fear of missing out.
Ask a customer to provide that social proof in the form of a testimonial. I find that just asking for a testimonial doesn’t work. The customer is unsure of what to say or what you want them to talk about. So, pose a few questions. Let them choose to answer one or all:
What challenge or goal did you have before working with me?
What made you choose my business?
What result or change have you seen?
What would you tell someone thinking about working with me?
Use excerpts of the testimonial on your website. Post sparingly on social, avoiding the promotional talk in favor of the problem-solution addressed or other outcome-focused content. Include in client proposals and pitches.
BONUS: Even better, ask them to shoot a short video. That gives you options to use the video and turn it into text, too.
The Shortlist
Nominate a book for this gift list. I’m working on the annual book gift-giving guide for the Content Marketing Institute. What book would you recommend for marketers? Fill out this form by next Thursday (Nov. 13).
Smart or smarmy marketing? The jewels were gone, but the furniture moving crane (aka the access and escape vehicle) remained. Dominating the visual coverage of the Louvre theft, the crane turned into a marketing hype opportunity for its manufacturer. The New York Times brings that story to life. (BTW, I vote “smarmy but smart.”
Ready the thanks. The end-of-the-year holidays usually bring the give-or-not-to-give conversation. I am on the it’s-not-necessary-to-buy-client-gifts list. Not only isn’t it budget friendly, it’s hard to figure out how many gifts should be sent and, in this virtual world, where you should send them. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore your clients. Write a note to your clients to express your gratitude. (Oh, and don’t include the note with an invoice!)
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