9 Non-Traditional Ways To Gather Content for Your Business

Content is a must in the business world today. Whether you’re searching for the latest research to support a new business idea or looking for tips to boost your supply chain productivity, quality content can play a crucial role in meeting that goal. We’ll review a few non-traditional ways to gather content for your business.

1. Online Courses

Online courses can be an excellent source of content. Additionally, online courses tend to be a cost-efficient option for furthering your knowledge of a certain industry. Users can enroll in a low-cost to free online class led by industry professionals to gather a vast amount of information, which can later be used for creating content. 

Even better, with online classes, you don’t have to carve time out of your schedule to drive to and attend classes at a local college. Instead, learning in the digital age means you can access industry-professional instructed classes that fit in with your timeline, all while paying attention to the topics and courses that are most relevant to you.

2. Usenet

Usenet is one of the most underused and undervalued sources of content. The system pre-dates the Internet and includes article sharing and downloading, which can be a great way to access unique content that isn’t readily available elsewhere. While the topics you can find on Usenet are endless, browsing them is easy with newsgroups. Newsgroups cover the Big 8 topics, which are recreation/entertainment, science, social, talk, computers, humanities, miscellaneous, and news. More specific topics can be found within the subcategories of these hierarchies.

Since Usenet doesn’t work with traditional HTTP systems, you will need a special Usenet provider. You can choose the best Usenet provider by comparing things like server location, price, security features, and newsreader availability. Most Usenet providers charge a small monthly fee, usually less than $20 per month, making it an affordable price for gathering unique content for your business.

3. E-Books

E-books are a fast way to access and consume knowledge and content. Gone are the days when you have to drive to a bookstore to search among shelf after shelf to find something related to your topic of interest. Now, all you have to do is a quick online search to find business-relevant topics. A quick download also allows you to access your e-book right now, meaning you can jump in and begin collecting content without having to wait for delivery.

4. Social Media

It’s possible to find content related to your business on social media. However, it’s important to be cautious as content on social media is less likely to be peer-reviewed or research-backed. Still, reviewing business ideas on social media can help you gain a better understanding of trending topics before moving to other sources of information.

5. In-Person

In-person interviews and testimonials are some of the most undervalued forms of content. If you’re unable to find content on a specific topic, consider creating your own. Reach out to a local university professor and ask for an interview. Contact the CEO of a company in a similar industry, asking them for feedback or tips.

6. Customers

Your customers can also be a good source of content. Ask previous and current customers what information you could provide them with that would help them complete a sale. You can also pay attention to customer feedback on current content channels to get an idea of what your current customers are looking for in business.

7. Industry Experts

Industry experts are another form of in-person information gathering. Attend industry-related conferences or seminars where you can participate in industry expert panels. Take notes and use them to paraphrase or share the information you collect with others by creating your content. It can also be helpful to bring a voice recorder to review the panels afterward.

8. Research

If you’re unable to find current or relevant research related to your topic of interest, consider conducting your own. Work with a local college to set up a research study. Sometimes, going through old college databases can also help you find previous research on a similar topic that may be relevant.

9. Newspapers

The number of people who regularly read a newspaper continues to decline each year. While the majority of news is available online today, that wasn’t always the case. Reviewing old newspapers can help you uncover interesting and unique content. Use this information to repurpose or share with your customers or readers.

Content is everywhere today. Whereas writers once had to track down sources and scour archived newspapers, the majority of information is now available online. That doesn’t mean that there’s no longer value in reviewing these other sources for content. Users can find unique content in older newspapers, by reading e-books, through in-person interviews with industry professionals, or even online via Usenet.