Content crossover
This is something I started directing staff to do a few months ago when creating content for some topics felt a little repetitive if your in a niche long enough writing can feel like the same old, same old.
Gets frustrating more so when every other competitor is doing the same thing like "what to do X month" or similar. I'm garden sector so pretty sure you can figure out what to do X month is without me being super specific but that's not the point here.
As mentioned I'm a fan of going out of the box and trying to come up with ideas I've not seen before and more importantly my competitors are not doing. Lets face it we all have a niche where writing can be a bit boring and sometimes it's fun to come up with new ideas if nothing else it's a break and does fire up some creative juices, so what is it?
Content cross overs. Or more specifically I like to focus on pop culture and ways I can tie that into writing, there are normally some hints of this online fitness is a good example where you see train like actor, but I take it a little bit further to focus on comics, tv shows or whatever is trending.
What I discovered that works is following a formal that maybe is by no means unique but again I've never really seen anything like this mentioned previously:
The formula:
[Niche Concept] + [Fandom/Pop Culture] = Creative content + easy SEO + viral share potential
This type of content although I've found it hard to convert (although not impossible) rather than going for transactional the aim is to find a new audience and hopefully get some social points with plenty of sharing. I've never really been a social media person, I'm very much anti it, but I will admit it probably does more harm than good at this point for the growth of our company BUT the creative in me does think if you could tie that above formal into say TikTok reels it opens you up to a whole other level.
Rather than blogging or creating an article if you could do a cross over reel or even YouTube shorts? I think that could be a winner to find new audience and new views from a type of viewer you never thought possible - give it a go and let me know!
So now you have the formula how do you go about using it? Here are some examples, not the best I admit it's 4am and my creative vibes are a little lacking..
Fitness
Cooking/Food
Again some of this might seem totally obvious, I don't confess to be a content writer so some of you might be thinking DUH at this point. For me it's about connecting what popular and linking that back to the niche. Writing doesn't have to be all about keyword ideas or topic ideas Ahref or GPT throws out at you.
Reverse SEO
Focusing on how my granny uses the internet creating content again can be a bit of a bind or becomes too heavy focused on search. I've always been about user first over google. This mantra used to kick me in the ass years ago but now search is doing what it's supposed to combined with AI I'm finally seeing results I should have been years and almost decades ago!
Lots of amateur content creators and SEOs (me included) go about wiring with a solution first mind set. When in fact most of the time we should focus on problems as a you would Google approach.
I guess this is classed as intent-first content marketing. Possibly nothing new here yet...
An example:
This how we ALWAYS produce content it works if you write enough words and does start to rank. Often find it a struggle as again it's not just me doing that but 90% of my competitors are all writing about the same thing, always a case of who can out create the other.
What we aim to do is go granny first:
Title: “Why is my scalp so itchy and flaky all of a sudden?”
I've often found the following when going problem first:
* e-commerce & affiliate problem first writing
Consumer Electronics
Home DIY / Tools
Next time your stuck writing I hope both of these gives you some creative flair
This is something I started directing staff to do a few months ago when creating content for some topics felt a little repetitive if your in a niche long enough writing can feel like the same old, same old.
Gets frustrating more so when every other competitor is doing the same thing like "what to do X month" or similar. I'm garden sector so pretty sure you can figure out what to do X month is without me being super specific but that's not the point here.
As mentioned I'm a fan of going out of the box and trying to come up with ideas I've not seen before and more importantly my competitors are not doing. Lets face it we all have a niche where writing can be a bit boring and sometimes it's fun to come up with new ideas if nothing else it's a break and does fire up some creative juices, so what is it?
Content cross overs. Or more specifically I like to focus on pop culture and ways I can tie that into writing, there are normally some hints of this online fitness is a good example where you see train like actor, but I take it a little bit further to focus on comics, tv shows or whatever is trending.
What I discovered that works is following a formal that maybe is by no means unique but again I've never really seen anything like this mentioned previously:
The formula:
[Niche Concept] + [Fandom/Pop Culture] = Creative content + easy SEO + viral share potential
This type of content although I've found it hard to convert (although not impossible) rather than going for transactional the aim is to find a new audience and hopefully get some social points with plenty of sharing. I've never really been a social media person, I'm very much anti it, but I will admit it probably does more harm than good at this point for the growth of our company BUT the creative in me does think if you could tie that above formal into say TikTok reels it opens you up to a whole other level.
Rather than blogging or creating an article if you could do a cross over reel or even YouTube shorts? I think that could be a winner to find new audience and new views from a type of viewer you never thought possible - give it a go and let me know!
So now you have the formula how do you go about using it? Here are some examples, not the best I admit it's 4am and my creative vibes are a little lacking..
Fitness
- “Train Like a Witcher” – Medieval-inspired workout plan
- “Marvel Superhero Home Gym Setup”
- “Zombie Apocalypse Survival Cardio” (Last of Us angle)
Cooking/Food
- “Game of Thrones Feast Night: Medieval Recipes”
- “Potion Smoothies: Inspired by Zelda & Skyrim”
- “Real-Life Locations That Feel Like Middle-Earth”
- “Witcher-Inspired Hikes in Eastern Europe”
- “How to Do a Harry Potter Tour Without Going to London”
Again some of this might seem totally obvious, I don't confess to be a content writer so some of you might be thinking DUH at this point. For me it's about connecting what popular and linking that back to the niche. Writing doesn't have to be all about keyword ideas or topic ideas Ahref or GPT throws out at you.
Reverse SEO
Focusing on how my granny uses the internet creating content again can be a bit of a bind or becomes too heavy focused on search. I've always been about user first over google. This mantra used to kick me in the ass years ago but now search is doing what it's supposed to combined with AI I'm finally seeing results I should have been years and almost decades ago!
Lots of amateur content creators and SEOs (me included) go about wiring with a solution first mind set. When in fact most of the time we should focus on problems as a you would Google approach.
I guess this is classed as intent-first content marketing. Possibly nothing new here yet...
An example:
(Traditional)
Title: “Best Natural Remedies for Dry Scalp”- Keyword: "natural remedies for dry scalp"
- Intent: The user already knows they have a dry scalp and are looking for solutions.
- Content: List of oils, shampoos, routines.
This how we ALWAYS produce content it works if you write enough words and does start to rank. Often find it a struggle as again it's not just me doing that but 90% of my competitors are all writing about the same thing, always a case of who can out create the other.
What we aim to do is go granny first:
(Problem First)
Title: “Why is my scalp so itchy and flaky all of a sudden?”
- Keyword: "scalp itchy and flaky suddenly"
- Intent: Confused user trying to diagnose an issue – doesn’t know it’s “dry scalp” yet.
- Content:
- Explains possible causes: dry scalp, dandruff, product buildup, weather
- Suggests a quiz or checklist
- THEN recommends a targeted product or bundle (e.g. tea tree oil shampoo, exfoliating scalp brush)
I've often found the following when going problem first:
- Captures higher funnel traffic (before they even know the name of the solution, introducing affiliate link or a internal link to your own product is much easier and feels more natural this is often a better writing style for e-commerce)*
- Feels more empathetic – meets people in their moment of confusion or frustration
- Opens room for diagnosis tools or quizzes, which build trust and increase conversion, easier cross over to social media as well with infographics, clips
* e-commerce & affiliate problem first writing
Consumer Electronics
- “Why does my laptop shut down when it’s hot?”
Recommend cooling pads, high-efficiency laptops - “iPhone screen flickering fix”
Solution = screen protector + bundled repair service
Home DIY / Tools
- “Why do my walls feel damp but there’s no leak?”
Recommend dehumidifiers or DIY mold test kits - “Paint keeps peeling in my bathroom”
Link to anti-mildew primer or waterproof sealant bundle
Next time your stuck writing I hope both of these gives you some creative flair
