Arguably the most challenging times as a freelance writer come at decision time.
From thinking about or needing to choose from the most searched eBook topics, or even simply deciding on what to charge for a sponsored blog post.
The seemingly lowest hurdles are sometimes the hardest to clear.
The actual writing? That’s the easy part.
When it comes to topic selection, either you need to be a writer with a deep breadth of knowledge across a variety of topics, and be at least somewhat knowledgeable research your way to the finish line. Or, you need to possess such great depth of knowledge in one single subject that you can uncover (come up with) a variety of sub-topics and then cover (write) about them.
No matter which bucket you fall into, sometimes you just need a nudge; a spark in order to get rolling.
I can’t tell you how many times as a beginning freelance writer without experience I was tasked with the “easy” job of “Write a blog post on general topic XYZ; it can be anything” and then just staring mindlessly at the computer screen, (or at the back of my eyelids once my body and mind realized this was going nowhere, so might as well get some sleep)!
So, thought it would be fun and helpful to dive into a topic, and provide some writing topics and potential prompts for you to explore.
Music Topics
Music as Motivation
If you’re like me, you’re able to tolerate working out with music. Without it, no chance.
Specific topic ideas:
- What is it about music that motivates us?
- Can music actually be demotivating?
- Absolute worst songs to workout to?
- Best types of music to play during work or study?
Music in Commercials
Something we might take for granted, right? Music is a huge component of most commercials, which needs to be perfectly matched with what’s taking place on screen as is the case with your favorite TV shows and movies.
Specific topic ideas:
- What percentage of commercials include music? How many of those are original songs?
- What is the most successful jingle of all time? The worst?
- How do you write the perfect commercial jingle?
- Which singer/songwriters got their start in commercials?
Music and Nostalgia
We all have that old cassette with our favorite songs by the decades. (Or these days, a favorite Spotify playlist full of old musical goodies.
Specific topic ideas:
- What was the greatest decade for music?
- What is it about music that can transport you to a different place and time?
- Why don’t our parents’ favorite songs resonate with us?
- How has the musical artist changed over the years?
- How can music get you through a tough time?
- How can music make a tough time worse to deal with?
The Future of Music
Technology has literally changed everything. With music, not only has it changed the way we listen, but also the way it’s compiled.
Specific topic ideas:
- How has technology changed the music industry, for better or worse?
- From AI to machine learning, how will music change in the future?
- Can a bot write a song?
- We’ve seen a departure from the “big label” to a more independent strategy. Pros/cons?
Music and Health
As pointed out above, music can be extremely motivational. That must be good for our health, right?
Specific topic ideas:
- How can music be good for our health? How does it affect the brain?
- How does listening to music damage our hearing?
- Does listening to music while pregnant have any sort of impact?
Kids and Music
It’s amazing to see the impact music has on kids. Here you have boys and girls who just learned to walk, but yet are moved enough by music to do a little wiggle. Or kids just learning to speak but yet can recite certain words and lines from their favorite songs.
Specific topics include:
- How to music impact young children?
- Is there an advantage for people who played instruments as children?
- Is music a good educational tool?
Musical Genres
What’s your favorite ambient techno song? Folktronica?
Specific topics include:
- What are the different genres of music?
- What music genres should we expect to fade away in the future?
- What were the first musical genres and how have they changed over time?
Making it in Music
Think about what it took to become a professional artist years ago compared to what it might take today?
Specific topics include:
- What did the road to stardom look like 50 years ago compared to today?
- Are there more talented musicians and vocalists today, or are they just more discoverable?
- How has YouTube and social media aided the discovery of artists?
- How have the Voice, American Idol, etc. aided the discovery of artists?
- What’s the average career length for musical reality show winners?
Learning Music
Music is just like any other discipline or skill! What’s the best way to go about learning?
Specific topics include:
- What’s the easiest instrument to learn?
- How long does it take to learn a particular instrument?
- How old is too old to learn an instrument?
Music and Society
Music offers a powerful bonding component, right?
Specific topics include:
- How has music brought people together over the years?
- How does music bring people together on a regular basis?
Music in Movies
Some movies are made and broken by their choice of music.
Specific topics include:
- What are the greatest movie soundtracks of all time?
- What are the best movies about music or the music business?
- Which artists have become the biggest movie stars?
In the end, this will be a living list! I’ll keep adding as I write new music-related content myself! Have anything you’ve written about that should be included?
