Build a Content Engine That Never Runs Dry
Steal My System: 7 Idea Sources You’ll Wish You Used Sooner.
Your next viral post is already hiding in your browser history.
You just forgot where to look.
Most creators waste hours staring at a blank doc, praying for “inspiration.” But that’s not how pros work.
They build something better:
A private idea machine they can summon with one click.
Today, I’ll show you exactly how to build that machine — the same system I use to turn chaos into clarity, and random browsing into revenue.
And no, we’re not copying or plagiarising.
We’re learning to remix, reframe, and make ideas unmistakably ours.
Let’s build your Substack — one idea at a time.
Stick around till the end — I’m quietly opening the door to something new. It’s small, early, and just for those who finish reading.
1. Substack categories
You can search for or browse categories or topics that align with your industry or niche, such as Finance. In these categories, you'll discover popular issues and ideas.
Once there, you can explore the latest posts at the top, the most engaged Notes, or the Bestsellers lists.
There is a separate Bestsellers tab, and some categories have their own corresponding Bestsellers lists. This is a great way to get inspired and see which ideas are gaining traction.
2. Quora
While the quality control on Quora may be questionable, it remains a goldmine for new ideas, similar to Yahoo Answers and other major Q&A sites.
Search for topics related to your industry or niche, focusing on questions that appear genuine and are asked by everyday people, rather than those that seem manipulated by marketers.
If one user is asking a question, many potential clients likely have similar inquiries. You can compile a list of 20-30 article topics based on these questions.
Each question, paired with a thoughtful answer, can become a Note or even a series of Notes.
Post them to gauge what resonates with your audience, or poll your followers via email or social media to determine which topics to develop into full articles.
You could ask, “Here are topics I feel like writing about. What would you like to read about next?”
3. Reddit
Often referred to as "the first page of the internet," Reddit is one of the largest online forum platforms, hosting thousands of subreddits on nearly every imaginable topic.
Search for your areas of interest, and you’ll likely find numerous problems that need to be solved.
If you join Reddit, you can even post a link to your article in the relevant subreddit (as long as it is permitted).
4. Social News Sites
Over a decade ago, news rating sites like Slashdot and Hacker News were immensely popular. Users would upvote or downvote stories, providing insights into what's trending in specific niches.
Although these sites have lost some of their allure to social platforms, they still maintain activity among tech enthusiasts.
These sites focus on technology, entrepreneurship, and science, but also cover a wide array of other topics, including literature, entertainment, and parenting.
You can perform searches, view popular or recent entries, and more. On Slashdot, check sections like Popular, Polls, and Most Discussed.
In Hacker News, look for the Best and Top sections to find the hottest stories or scroll down for advanced search options.
You can also register and use these sites to distribute your content!
5. Answer The Public
Owned by Neil Patel’s company, this powerful online tool helps you discover what users are searching for across platforms like Google, YouTube, Bing, Amazon, TikTok, and more.
You can filter results in various ways, and the findings can inspire multiple content ideas quickly.
The site offers limited daily searches for free, along with different monthly and lifetime plans starting at $6 per month.
6. News & Blog Aggregators
If you think blogging is dead, feel free to skip this section. Founded by Guy Kawasaki, AllTop aggregates top news and information in real time.
You can scroll to see the latest news from major blogs and websites, explore your favourite categories, run a search, or click on the Viral section to see what’s trending right now.
If you like AllTop, you can now create your custom AllTop RSS page!
9rules, also known as "the best content from the independent web," is a blog network featuring carefully curated articles on art, blogging, technology, travel, and more.
The site offers a fun indie vibe where you can find engaging gems.
7. X/Twitter
No research article on the topic would be complete without mentioning X (formerly Twitter).
Despite facing challenges and numerous changes recently, it remains an excellent source of timely news and ideas. You can click on Explore or conduct an advanced search.
To find the hottest tweets, filter by your favourite accounts or set minimum replies and reposts.
P.S. If you noticed I didn’t post last Monday… you were right.
That silence wasn’t burnout — it was build mode.
I’ve been quietly putting together something I’ve never offered before.
And now it’s ready.
If you’re done guessing what to post, tired of writing into the void, and want a pro to help you create content that moves the needle, I’ve got you.
I’m opening up five early-bird spots for those ready to work one-on-one with me.
Think: strategy, content, growth — done for you, in your voice, on your terms.
If that sounds like what you’ve been waiting for, reply with “early bird”, and I’ll send the details.
No pressure — but the early spots always go fast.