Yesterday, we posted 50 inspirational quotes to help you blog. But sometimes some words just ain’t enough. Blogging can be tough work, especially when you’re under pressure to deliver consistent posts and keep within the confines of specific subject matter. Luckily, we live in the information age where inspiration is to found around every corner. To help energize your blogging adventures, here are some of the best sources of inspiration that bloggers can draw on when creating captivating content.

1. Other Bloggers. Always an easy source for inspiration, look towards blogs you admire and they will teach you valuable strategies that you can implement in your work. They also drive you to reach out to a wider fan base and set goals for yourself. Looking at blogs like Copyblogger and Problogger always leave us stunned, as their dedication to their audiences is extraordinary. Always responding to comments and consistently coming up with posts that offer advice has built them an enormous readership who actively comment and bookmark their articles – a goal all bloggers should strive for.
   
2. Poetry and Music. Music and poetry go together because they can inspire you to change the tone, rhythm and brevity of your writing. Looking to poets and musicians will help you improve the flow of your words and can put you in just the right mood to unleash a storm of creativity. Many of us here at Apollo Media listen to music when we work and blog, as it can keep energy levels up and translate into steady productivity.

3. Visual Arts. An emotional response to a painting or photograph can drive you to your keyboard. The visual arts can help you organize and direct your thoughts or provide an emotional backdrop for your writing. You’ll often notice workspaces are cluttered with personal photographs and/or posters. Not merely decorations, surrounding yourself with comforting images provides a constant and often subtle form of inspiration.

4. Books, Novels, Magazines and other Print Media. Another obvious choice, the work of your favourite authors and columnists will always provide inspiration and can instruct on style, structure and methods of persuasion.

5. Film, Theatre and Television. These sources are lumped together in respect to presentation and performance. Film, TV and theatre can inspire bloggers to construct a particular atmosphere with their blog, both in design and in writing. Certain memorable characters and performances can also inspire you to develop a unique voice for which to express yourself on your blog. Role-playing is essential to blogging, as it requires you to look at issues and situations from different angels, developing and articulating your responses. Our good friend The Motivatorman has based his Self Help blog on cinematic inspiration, relating his personal advice to the triumphs and tragedies of characters on the silver screen.

6. Personal Experiences. Looking to personal experiences can help you generate ideas for blog posts and overcome certain obstacles that are blocking your creativity. When writing your posts or commenting on others, delving into your own encounters with the subject matter is essential for proving authentic and practical examples.

7. Nature and Scenery. Your surroundings, man made or otherwise, test your powers of observation, calms your nerves and opens your receptiveness to new ideas. Finding the perfect place to sit, meditate, read or even sip your coffee can make all the difference when you are trying to jot things down on your note pad. Being in a nice open area, with relative quiet, will help you clear your mind and open the gateways for introspection.

8. Physical Activity. Tying into the point above, getting outside (or to the gym) will not only get your blood flowing, but those mysterious creative juices as well. An essential stress reliever, exercise will help free your mind of distractions so you can realign your train of thought to goal setting and brainstorming. Whenever you’re suffering from writer’s block, even a short walk can do wonders.

9. Friends and Family. Tying into personal experiences, your relationships with those closest to you will stimulate and inform the development of solid content. Relating the ups and downs of any relationship can provide powerful insights into countless situations and will be a useful means of connecting with your readership.

10. Your Readers. Last but not least, the feedback you get from your blog’s readers will be an incredible source of inspiration. Depending on how well you have met their needs and give the chance, your readers will be more than willing to relay their personal experiences, strategies and their own inspirations. Remember, people love talking about themselves, so keep your posts open enough so that your ideas can branch off into vivid and challenging discussions.

No matter where you turn, there are sources of inspiration to be found. More often than not, the cure for writer’s block is stepping away from the pad or computer and letting your environment speak to you. You have five senses for a reason, so draw on them! There’s a whole world out there, waiting to be discovered.

So tell us, dear readers, what are some of your inspirations?