15 Content Ideas to Generate Helpful Content for an Education Website in 30 Minutes or Less

Struggling to come up with content ideas for your education website? You’re not alone. Thousands of content creators in the education sector face the same challenge. The unfortunate reality is that many of the ideas they generate never gain traction or reach their intended audience.

And it’s really tough building a successful education website that way.

But what if there was a MUCH better way to find proven blog post topics? What if I told you there are strategies you can use to create content that not only grows your educational website but also attracts the right readers? Today, I’m sharing 15 advanced techniques from proven sources that will help you do just that.

1. Dig Up Suitable Blog Post Ideas from Conference Agendas/Schedules

Attending live conferences is a fantastic way to learn new strategies, techniques, and forward-thinking ideas that can drastically improve your education business. But did you know conferences are also a goldmine for content ideas?

Here’s how you can use conference agendas and schedules to uncover golden nuggets of topics that’ll make your content unstoppable:

First, do a routine search for conferences related to the education sector.

[education topic] + “conferences”

For example, if your focus is on digital education strategies, you might search for something like “digital education conferences.”

Next, visit the first few pages in the search results to find suitable conferences. When you find a conference that looks promising, look for the word “agenda” or “schedule” on their site.

If that particular conference doesn’t have it, move on to the next one. But if it does, this will be the main place where you’ll get a rundown of what’s being covered.

At this point, sift through the topics discussed until you find one that interests you. Once you find a topic that interests you, what’s next? Use a tool like Google Keyword Planner to see if the topic is worth focusing on.

For example, if you were considering a topic like “blended learning in higher education”, you could see how often it’s searched and gauge its popularity. Make no mistake, you can unearth some great blog topic ideas with this strategy alone. This approach is also useful for learning how to create content that resonates with your audience.

For more insights into crafting effective content for the education sector, check out our guide on developing effective web pages for an education website.

2. Turn Udemy into Your Personal Idea Factory

Coming up with great blog ideas for an education website isn’t as tough as it seems. One of the best, yet little-known, places to generate unique content ideas is Udemy.

Here’s how to use this site to search for your next big topic:

First, enter your education-related keyword into the search bar. For instance, if you specialise in online teaching methods, you might search for “online teaching strategies”.

Next, sort the results by the “most relevant” and choose one of the courses for that keyword. Start with the most-reviewed courses as these usually indicate high interest and engagement.

For example, if you choose a course on “Effective Online Teaching Techniques” and see that thousands of people have enrolled, that’s a strong signal that the topic is in demand.

Next, take a look at the curriculum to get an idea of what topics are being covered. Then, create a spreadsheet full of topics you can modify or expand upon.

Once you’ve exhausted one course, rinse and repeat with other courses. You’ll quickly see how this method can fill your content calendar with ideas.

For more tips on generating relevant content, visit our SEO for Universities services page.

3. Copy Good Blog Topics by Strategically Using BuzzSumo

Ever notice that certain content in the education sector always seems to gain attention? What’s their secret? The answer lies in choosing topics that are proven to resonate with your audience.

If you want to create impactful content, you NEED to follow a similar strategy. And using BuzzSumo is one of the best ways to find those proven topics.

For example, say you operate a blog focused on educational technology. You might come up with blog post ideas based on your experiences, but unless you write targeted content that other educators want to read, your posts might not gain the traction they deserve.

That’s why you need to be strategic. Using BuzzSumo to draw inspiration from content that’s already performing well can provide you with unlimited, proven ideas.

For a more comprehensive guide on creating effective blog posts, check out our article on Best Practices for Creating Blog Posts for an Education Website.

4. Expand on a Single Topic From a List Post

List posts are everywhere, and despite some criticism, they remain incredibly popular. If you’ve written a list post for your education site, it’s likely one of the most popular posts you have. That’s no coincidence.

List posts can also be a treasure trove of new blog post ideas.

Here’s how:

Let’s say you wrote a list post titled “10 Strategies for Effective Classroom Management.” Each point in that list can be expanded into a detailed blog post.

For instance, one point might be “Encouraging Student Participation.” You can then turn that into a stand-alone post, diving deeper into techniques, challenges, and examples specific to that strategy.

To determine if it’s a topic worth writing about, you can look at how many searches it gets a month and see if other education sites have covered it.

Expanding on list posts is a strategy that ensures you continue to produce content that your audience finds valuable.

For more ideas on how to structure your content, check out our SEO for Publishers services.

5. Find Proven Content Ideas by Simply Reverse-Engineering Subheadings

Subheadings make content MUCH easier to read, especially for education websites where clarity is crucial. But subheadings can also serve as a source of new content ideas.

Here’s how to take advantage of irresistible headlines and use them to create irresistible content:

First, go to an education site related to your niche. For example, if your focus is on higher education, you might visit a site like Inside Higher Ed.

Search the site for posts your readers might be interested in… like this post on challenges in higher education.

Within those posts, look for interesting subheadings that you think you can use… and then create new, engaging content around those subheadings.

If you want to learn more about organising content with subheadings, check out our article on How to Organise Content with Subheadings on an Education Website.

6. Use Questions Readers Have as Ideas for Blog Posts

Education websites thrive on providing answers to pressing questions. That’s why it’s a great strategy to use the questions your readers have as inspiration for your next blog post.

Think of it like this:

Your reader has a challenging problem related to education. Addressing that specific issue and providing a solution is the key to capturing their attention.

Here’s the 3-step process you can use:

Step #1: Find a topic your readers want an answer to

To find topics, go to a site like Quora or an education-specific forum. For example, if your site focuses on international education, you might find a question like “How can I prepare for studying abroad?”

Step #2: Determine if the question is something that gets searched for often

This step is crucial. After finding a question, use a tool like Google Keyword Planner to see if the topic has substantial search volume. For instance, “preparing for studying abroad” might show significant interest, making it a valuable topic to cover.

Step #3: Write a post that goes above and beyond what’s already out there

Finally, create a post that is more comprehensive than what’s currently available. Look at the top results on Google and see how you can improve upon them, whether it’s through better resources, clearer instructions, or more engaging content.

For more tips on targeting the right questions, check out our article on Targeting the Right Audience with Your Education Website’s Content.

7. Source Your Best Blog Topics from Industry-Related Forums

Forums are a fantastic shortcut for generating content ideas, particularly in the education sector. They’re a place where educators, students, and parents frequently discuss challenges and share insights.

For example, let’s say your primary keyword is “blended learning”. Do a search in Google with inurl: forum + “blended learning”. This will bring up several forums around the topic of blended learning. Choose a forum and skim through the threads to find interesting discussions.

If you find a topic that’s generating a lot of interest, research it further to see how you can develop it into a full blog post.

For more on how to develop these topics, explore our SEO for Schools services.

8. Utilise the Power of Snooping through Comments

Comments on education articles can be a treasure trove of content ideas. Often, readers ask questions or make points that the original article didn’t fully address, giving you the perfect opportunity to create follow-up content.

For example, if you come across a blog post on “Implementing E-Learning in K-12 Schools,” you might find comments asking about specific challenges, like “How do I engage students in a virtual classroom?”

These comments can be turned into standalone blog posts that delve deeper into the topic.

For additional strategies on engaging with your audience through content, check out our SEO for Tutors services.

9. Find Interesting Blog Topics in Non-Promotional Facebook Groups

Facebook groups related to education are another excellent source of content ideas. These groups are often filled with educators and parents asking questions, sharing experiences, and seeking advice.

Here’s how to use it to find highly targeted topics:

First, do a search for groups in Facebook related to your general niche. For example, if you specialise in educational technology, search for “edtech” groups. When you find a group that’s active, scroll through the posts to find questions or discussions that you could expand into blog posts.

Once you’ve found a question, research it further using Google. Study the top results and determine if it’s a topic worth pursuing. If it is, you’ve got your next blog topic.

For more on how to engage with your audience on social media, visit our SEO for Course Creators services.

10. Keep it Simple and Ask Your Readers What Blog Post Topics They Want You to Write About

One of the simplest yet most effective content shortcuts is to ask your readers directly what they want you to write about. This method not only helps you create content that’s targeted but also builds a stronger connection with your audience.

For instance, you could add a quick survey or poll on your education website or ask a question in your email newsletter. This direct feedback can provide you with valuable insights into what your audience is most interested in.

For more tips on how to gather and use reader feedback effectively, explore our SEO for Summer Camps services.

11. Stalk Emails for Golden Nuggets of Topics

If you subscribe to newsletters or email updates from other education websites, keep an eye out for content that sparks interest. These emails often highlight trending topics or common challenges that can be turned into blog posts for your own site.

If you notice a recurring theme or question, consider writing a post that addresses it in detail.

For more insights on crafting effective email newsletters, check out our article on Generating Engaging Email Newsletters for the Education Sector.

12. Take Advantage of Google’s Auto-Populate and Steer Clear of the Guesswork

Google’s auto-populate feature can be a powerful tool for content generation. When you start typing a query into Google’s search bar, it suggests related search terms based on what other users are searching for.

For example, if you type in “blended learning techniques”, you might see suggestions like “blended learning tools,” “blended learning models,” or “blended learning benefits.”

These suggestions can help you identify topics that people are actively searching for, ensuring that your content is relevant and timely.

For more tips on leveraging search data for content creation, visit our SEO for Colleges services.

13. Use the Most Popular (but Underused) Site to Uncover Hot Topics for Blogging

Slideshare is a site that you might know about but probably don’t use as effectively as you could. It’s not just a platform for repurposing content; it’s also a fantastic resource for discovering proven content ideas.

Head over to Slideshare and click on “more topics.” This will bring up categories that might align with your educational niche.

For example, if your site focuses on educational leadership, you could explore the “Education” category. Look for presentations with a high number of views as these indicate topics that are already popular and resonate with your target audience.

You can then create content inspired by these presentations, ensuring it’s more comprehensive and tailored to your audience.

For more on how to dominate your niche with targeted content, explore our SEO for Educational Consultants services.

14. Use This Simple Trick to Dominate Your Niche

When you’re looking for fresh content ideas, sometimes you need to think outside the box. One effective method is to browse through niche-specific magazines.

Here’s the step-by-step process:

First, let’s say you focus on educational technology. You might search for “edtech magazines” on Google. The results will show a variety of publications dedicated to your niche.

Next, choose a magazine and see if they have a current or past issue available for preview. These magazines often feature a range of articles covering various topics within your niche.

For instance, you might find an article on “The Future of AI in Education.” This could be a great topic to explore further on your blog, especially if it aligns with the interests of your audience.

To discover more ways to stay ahead in your niche, check out our SEO for Language Schools services.

15. Borrow Ideas from Visual Content Sources like Infographics

Visual content reigns supreme in the digital age, especially on education websites where information needs to be both engaging and easy to understand. Infographics are particularly powerful tools for generating new content ideas.

How can you do that?

Visit a site like Visual.ly, which hosts a vast collection of infographics. Enter a keyword related to your niche, such as “online education”. The results will show pages of infographics on that topic.

All you need to do is find an infographic that resonates with your audience, and then create content that dives deeper into the topic or offers additional insights.

This method ensures that your content is visually engaging and addresses a topic that’s already proven to be of interest to your audience.

For more tips on creating visually compelling content, explore our article on Constructing Compelling Data Visualisations for an Education Website.

Which Shortcut Are You Going to Start With to Generate Your Blog Topic Ideas?

We know that constantly creating content for your education website can be a challenge, especially if you’re fresh out of ideas. Fortunately, these blog post ideas are easy to implement — and they work.

So, are you ready to use one of the 15 ideas from this post? If so, start by exploring one of the strategies mentioned above and apply it to your content creation process. You’ll find that these techniques not only streamline your efforts but also lead to more engaging and impactful content.