Pulse Check: Tracking News Headlines For Your Next Story Idea

Now that we’ve gone over the importance of content calendars, here’s another strategy that can help in your writing endeavors: tracking news headlines (or any content, for that matter!).

You likely consume a lot of news daily, but instead of just storing it away, it's useful to track it for future reference or inspiration. Regularly revisiting your content tracker can help you document key takeaways, relevant links, and ideas for your writing.

- Idea Generation: Tracking news headlines can spark great ideas to explore at your own pace.
- Reliable Sources: Regularly tracking headlines makes it easier to cross-reference and cite sources, which editors appreciate.
- Time-Saving: Documenting detailed ideas saves time during writing and helps you pick up where you left off.
- Stay Organized: A central repository of content keeps you organized, especially for future references.

Nobody wants to open countless browser tabs daily to track content, especially with so many publications out there. Instead of wasting hours, here's a simple framework the pros use to stay on top of it efficiently:

1. Use News Aggregators: Tools like Pocket, Feedly, or RSS readers let you quickly scan headlines in your niche and keep up with trends.

2. Pair It Up With a Content Curation Routine: Dedicate specific times daily or weekly to review news and articles, preventing distractions during work hours.

3. Set Up Google Alerts: Get email notifications for specific keywords, topics, or industries, so you stay updated without manual searching.

4. Good Ol’ Bookmarks: Use bookmarks under specific themes, then transfer them to a content tracker for better organization.

5. Explore Online Forums & Communities: Forums like Reddit, Quora, or niche communities can be valuable sources for news leads and trending topics.

6. Following the right Social Media accounts: Follow creators on platforms like YouTube or Spotify for high-quality content, but avoid getting sidetracked.

If you’re ready to get started, here are some templates available on HackerNoon to keep you track of news headlines:
- Basic Content Tracker

- Social Media Content Tracker

- Topic-Focused Content Trackers

Happy writing!
HackerNoon Team