Whether you’re a beginner or have been history blogging forever coming up with ideas for blog posts is a constant issue. Do any of these sound like you?
You have stacks of ideas (but no time)? You get overwhelmed researching a topic you love and struggle to create the actual blog post, which then drifts? You’re bouncing week to week writing blog post ideas that are just well okay? or perhaps you’re losing faith and need to add some variety and sparkle to your editorial calendar.
Today I have 35 ideas to give your blog posts a boost. Each one aims to save you time and help you find inspiration regardless of the topic of your history blog.
So, here we go…
35 Ideas for Blog Posts
1. Curated Blog Post
A curated blog post is an amazing time saver. In this blog post idea you pull together an impressive list of resources, through links, for your readers to explore. I would only use it sparingly, no more than once a month, as it does send people away from your blog site.
But there are a few ways you can turn a curated blog post to your advantage:
- Include a few ‘internal’ links to your own posts
- If you are recommending products such as books, planners, software etc…set the links within an affiliate scheme such as Amazon to get a commission if a reader makes a purchase
- When you publish your post tag in and message people to tell them you have recommended their product, resource, book or podcast.
2. Create a Series
Creating a series works really well if you want to deep dive into a topic and efficiently use every line of your research notes. It will also boost the number of posts you have in a category. Chances are it can’t be covered in one post anyway, so why cram into one. So, for example, maybe explore Queen Mary’s tiara collection? You could list them then tell us the story of occasion each one was worn.
3. Themes from the News & the World
If history is being made every second by billions of people then there has to be great ideas for blog posts! Read the local, national and international news to see how the major happenings from around the corner and around the world relate to your blog topic. For example, a royal birth, wedding or abdication, a general election, a presidential impeachment, a constitutional crisis, an outbreak of civil war, ground-breaking technological or medical discovery or the passing of landmark legislation. What are the parallels? What are the mistakes you see or predictions you make based on the past?
4. “How to” Style
Blogging about history can be informative as well as fun. I would guess you’ve learned lots of tips, from the places you’ve visited to finding the cheapest book deals. So, why not share those tips with your avid readers. Examples of a ‘how to post could be “The 7 things to know before you go to the Palace of Versailles”
Bonus: These types of posts are also great for search engines and bringing new people into your blog.
5. Book, TV and Film Reviews
If you settle down after a long day and read all the books, watch the TV shows and films, then ta dah!… tell your readers about them in a review. (don’t forget to prepare them for spoilers) Plus, this kind of post works well on social media
6. Popular + Obscure ‘On This Day’
Of course, you can go after the big ‘On this Day’ anniversaries such as 200 years since the birth of Queen Victoria or 75 years since Victory in Europe (VE) Day. Why? It will likely have good keywords, be highly searched and allow you to draw a wider net across history lovers who may engage with you. I’ve certainly done this before.
But, it is very common (maybe too common?) to see posts about major figures and major events using near-identical historical facts and images. This also makes it difficult for you to stand out. My eye is often drawn to more obscure OTD blogs too so maybe mix it up a little.
Bonus Tip: Search engines like to rank ‘evergreen’ posts higher. Evergreen means posts which 1 month, two years or five years from now have content which is just as relevant as the day you wrote it. So, be wary of doing too many ‘one moment in time’ blog posts.
7. Fashion, Jewelry, and Style
I often look at images and think ‘what on earth possessed them to wear that?’ It usually turns out it was to not freeze to death, or fall over their own voluminous skirt or something human-like that, but sometimes there’s a crazy story too just waiting to be told. Elizabeth Taylor, actress, and avid jewelry buyer, wrote she was the custodian of her jewelry which would be passed on for the next chapter in its story. Classy. You could tell the story of jewels from your time-period within a blog post.
8. Food & Drink
If you’ve covered what they ate and drank try these. How they cooked food? Where were their glasses made? Where did they get their food from? What did they import and export? What was the most expensive thing at the time and why? What did they think was healthy? What food and drink went with which occasion?
9. Seasons and Celebrations
How can your blog niche and future posts be linked to Winter, Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, St David’s Day – the list is long.
10. Places you’ve visited
OK, so we’ve hit double-figures on my 35 ideas for blog posts. With this idea let’s face it we all have hundreds of photos and videos from places we’ve been to. Use these to frame your blog post – what you did, saw and felt when you went to that exhibition, historic site or event. And, talk about future plans….
11. Your Bucket List
I’ve ticked quite a few off over the years but there’s still plenty of historic sites on my bucket list – Gettysburg, Rourke’s Drift, Red Square, and the Korean Demilitarized Zone. What you want to see and why, even if it’s more of a bucket list than booked right now, can be a powerful post to show your passion for history.
12. Family History
My grandfather was captured by the German’s as he held the line while thousands escaped from the beaches of Dunkirk, France. He spent the entire Second World War as a POW. My great-grandmother was awarded two gallantry medals for her work in Queen Mary’s Army Auxillary Nursing during the First World War. It’s a personal choice, but family history can be an amazing discovery and give you plenty to write about.
13. Amazing Partnerships
We’ve had: Thatcher and Reagan; Cleopatra and Julius Caesar; Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt and Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain. History is littered with unusual and subtle or sparkling and power-crazed couplings who together brought in change. Who were yours?
14. Local History
Within 45 minutes of my home are a major English Civil War battleground, the birthplace of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the historic City of York and countless castles. If I zoom in even closer there is an abundance of stories, artifacts, and events. This blog post idea may not work for everyone but have a look, there may be a connection to your blog niche you didn’t even know was there on your doorstep.
15. Obscure Facts
Think ‘Horrible Histories’ for this one. We’re talking about the battle where one side started fighting with itself half-way through or Oliver Cromwell being put on trial when he had been dead for a few years. Embrace those quirks of history we all love.
16. Interesting Facts about Things
For an alternative post, maybe instead of talking about events and people turn your attention to things. You could blog about currency, furniture, paintings, toys, transport or kitchen-ware. The list is endless.
17. Language
Engage readers with how people talked to each other at the time. What language differentiated the classes? What were the naughty swear-words? What was the worst thing you could call someone and why? What other languages were starting to influence everyday conversation and how did they get in? And, what was the education system like?
18. Scandal, Gossip, and Notoriety
What or who was the click-bait of its time. Explore all the Al Capone’s, Duchess of Devonshire’s and Nell Gwyn’s (King Charles II’s mistress) What made them or their actions scandalous? And, was it a fair label to give them?
19. Conspiracy Theories
For every major event, there’s a conspiracy theory (or two) to go with it. Did John Wilkes Booth act alone to kill President Lincoln? Did King Richard III murder the Princes in the Tower? Did William Shakespeare actually write his own plays? Was Amelia Earhart a spy? Were the pyramids built by aliens? I find them an enticing part of history and human nature, I’m sure your readers will too.
20. A Q&A ‘What People Ask You’ Style Post
What do people always ask you about in the comments, by email or on social? Turn these into a time-saving blog post (time-saving because you probably know all the answers now).
Also, if you’re new to blogging think of the Q&A’s you think would be most helpful and interesting for your readers.
21. A Q&A Interview
Get ambitious and reach out to someone connected in your history space for an interview. Aim for someone just above where you are now in your blogging journey. Make sure you genuinely praise their work, don’t ask too much of them – seven questions tops! And offer them the opportunity to include a photo, links to their blog/website, social media links and any commercial links such as to books they have written. You can then slot your questions and their answers into a time-saving blog post.
22. Unusual Crimes and Laws
Did you know it is still illegal to wear a suit of armor in the UK Parliament or carry a plank of wood down a London street? If you explore the records there will be a host of unusual laws and unusual crimes from your time period. You could also explore the methods of punishment for such crimes.
23. Emblems, Flowers and Insignia
Where did the white rose of The House of Lancaster and the red rose of The House of York come from in the Wars of the Roses? Coat of Arms, flags, and tartans have all been used to communicate, motivate masses of people and create an identity. How were these methods shown and what was the purpose during your time in history?
24. Dispel Myths and ‘Questionable’ History
The earth was flat, George Washington chopped down a cherry tree and Marie Antoniette said “Let them eat cake!” These are just some of the well-known historical myths on show – can you discover more? Also, the telling of history can be controversial from shall we say ‘interested parties’, are there any examples you can share?
25. Entertainment and Music
What kept people entertained during your period of history? Sewing? Jousting? Sacrificing animals? Gambling? Explore the pastimes of famous faces, compare the entertainment of those with money and those with nothing. Describe the origins of some of the games and music we’re familiar with today.
26. In-Depth Profiles
For these blog post ideas, you’re going for a deep dive into the life of a key figure within your blog niche. They don’t have to be hugely well-known like Queen Elizabeth I, perhaps you could turn your research and attention to her ladies-in-waiting, dress designer, gardener, entertainer or a playwright? I’m sure there are fascinating stories waiting to be found.
27. Dissect and Interpret Original Sources
We’re so lucky right now! Access to archives and historic materials has never been easier. Millions of online records, documents and photographs are a few clicks away. For your blog post, you could analyse a personal letter, a diary entry, a parliamentary bill or a war-time propaganda leaflet. As a word of caution, be mindful of copyright issues.
28. Focus on Military Tactics and Strategies
People may have read posts about The Battle of Waterloo, 1815 explaining what happened, where it happened and who won. But, do they know the military strategy and specific tactics which helped them win over hours of fighting. Also, maybe analyse specific turning points and they’re significance or how much was luck?
29. Property – Stately Homes, Palaces and Castles
Explore the rooms, contents, inhabitants and going’s on in castles, stately homes, ordinary dwellings, childhood homes, and palaces. You could also extend this to the inspiration behind fabulous grounds, gardens, trick gardens, and mazes.
If you’ve visited where you post about, all the better, personalise the post with how you felt and what you saw (+ any pics). If you haven’t talk about what appeals to you.
30. Ideas and Philosophy at the Time – Who were the Influencers?
History is often about changes in power, the divine right to rule, who can vote, who is wealthy and who is oppressed or emancipated. Explore the philosophers and thinkers who shaped the period of history you write about. Where can you see their influence? Where can you see rejections of the ‘norm’?
31. What If?
Go all ‘Man in The High Castle’, if you haven’t read the book or seen the series (loved it!) it follows an alternative history where the Nazis won the Second World War. Ponder over what if Anne Boleyn had given Henry VIII a son? What if the Russian Revolution had been a failure? What if Hitler had never been born? You get my drift.
32. The Greatest Moments in…..
Paint a picture for your reader of the stand-out moments during your historic period or for the topic you cover. Explain why you’ve chosen them above other choices. You could present this as a ‘Top Ten’ and see who agrees with you!
33. A Week in….
A bit like the TV series ‘24’, really deep dive into an hour, day or week during a time of major activity, decisions and turning points. Take your readers through the twists and turns in one, or I would suggest, multiple blog post ideas to get them hooked. You could also apply this to a week in a historical figures diary or journal.
34. Review a Major Decision in History
Was Edward VIII right to abdicate the British throne? Should the U.S have entered the Second World War earlier? Should Alexander the Great have named an heir? Did they need to drop the Atomic Bombs? Share your views on what happened, the cost and the alternatives as you see them.
35. The Story Behind the Speech or Quote
Apparently, Dr Martin Luther King Jr improvised his ‘I have a Dream’ speech after a gospel singer shouted to him ‘tell em about the dream.’ People love to read speeches and quotes, but can you tell them the backstory behind what was being said?
Alright, my friends, I hope this post helped you realize just how many ideas for your blog posts are out there and sparked some thoughts for your writing.
Got questions? Leave a comment! Let’s chat.
Elizabeth
