How to Find Content Ideas When You're Stuck (Without Copying Everyone Else)
Getting stuck is part of the process. Even the most consistent creators and marketers hit a wall where ideas dry up, motivation drops, and every post starts to feel like a chore. But that doesn’t mean you need to steal from competitors or settle for low-effort filler content.
In this post, I’ll walk you through four key questions that help my team and I generate content ideas when we’re feeling burnt out or uninspired. These aren’t fluff—they’re systems and strategies that actually work.
1. Where do you look when you're totally stuck?
Instead of scrolling endlessly hoping for inspiration, I go straight to where the gold is:
Reddit: Niche subreddits are full of real questions and frustrations. Great for understanding what your audience actually cares about. (**This article was directly inspired by a Reddit post 😉**)
TikTok Search: Typing in a keyword and seeing what’s trending gives instant insight into what people are consuming.
YouTube Comments: This is one of the most underrated spots to find pain points.
**BONUS** Watch this video for an ultimate YouTube idea hack 👇
https://youtube.com/shorts/x6ZL4sBEkAEClient Conversations: If you’re working with clients, what questions are they always asking? That’s content waiting to be made.
DMs & Comments: Look at the questions people are already asking you.
2. How do you research what your competitors are doing?
I don’t copy content—I copy structure. Here's how:
Engagement Over Views: High view count doesn't always mean high impact. I look for posts with a lot of saves, comments, or shares. These metrics are better suited for long-lasting, valuable content.
Hook & Format: What is the opening line? What visual format is it in? Can I apply my own topic to that format?
Facebook Ads Library: See the exact ad creatives your competitors are using for your own inspiration. Chances are, if they're spending money on them, they could be very engaging.
See the library 👉 https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/
3. Do you have a research system, or is it just random inspiration?
Honestly, I don’t follow a super rigid system—but I’ve learned to spot patterns and collect inspiration more intentionally over time. Here’s what works for me right now:
When I see something that resonates, I screenshot or save it to a folder in my phone.
I use Instagram’s Saved posts feature to collect examples of hooks, formats, or concepts that could work for my audience.
Once or twice a week, I’ll look through what I’ve saved and see if anything still feels exciting or relevant. If it does, I riff on it and make it my own.
Notes app on my phone, this is a lifesaver if you constantly forget those moments of brilliance that happen out of the clear blue. When you get an idea, jot it down!
It’s not perfect, but having a low-pressure way to gather and revisit inspiration helps me stay consistent without forcing it for our clients.
4. How do you know if an idea is worth pursuing?
Before I have a client record a particular video, I'll run it through this quick checklist.
If it hits at least 2 out of 3, I test it:
✅ Relatable (will my audience say "this is me")
✅ Teachable (does it provide a clear takeaway?)
✅ Scroll-Stopping (is the hook strong enough to grab attention?)
Still unsure? Test it lightweight:
Post it as a Tweet or Instagram Story.
Drop the idea in a Facebook group or comment thread
Ask ChatGPT to turn it into a few hooks or titles to see which ones feel strongest.
Sometimes the stuff I almost didn’t post performs best—so don’t overthink it. Let your audience vote with their engagement.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, and you definitely don’t need to copy others to create consistently. With the right systems in place, you can show up even when the creativity isn’t flowing.
If this helped you, share it with a fellow content creator—or save it for the next time you hit that wall.
Want us to take the guesswork out of your content strategy? Let’s talk. Book a free consultation here 👇