If you’ve ever talked to an author, you’ve probably heard how much they dread the question, “Where do you get your ideas?”

But here at Gentle Frog, I actually love that question, because we’re not writing fiction or crafting imaginary worlds. We’re creating practical, real-world content to help bookkeepers, accountants, and small business owners understand tools like QuickBooks Online.

And the truth is, our best ideas don’t come from some secret creative well. They come from you, our readers, our clients, and our community.

Let’s talk about where those ideas come from, why they matter, and how you can apply this same process to your own content creation or client communication.

Listening: The Secret to Great Content

At Gentle Frog, every video, blog post, and guide begins with a question.

Sometimes it’s a comment on YouTube. Sometimes it’s a question that pops up during a one-on-one training session. Sometimes it’s something I hear repeatedly in a bookkeeping group.

The common thread? Real people asking real questions.

I don’t believe in creating content for content’s sake. I create to solve problems. And those problems reveal themselves when I pay attention to what people are struggling with.

So, if you’re ever stuck trying to come up with ideas, whether for content, services, or ways to better serve your clients, the answer usually starts with listening.

1. YouTube and Blog Comments

Our YouTube channel has become a goldmine for new ideas. Every week, I scroll through the comments looking for patterns or questions that make me pause and think, “That’s a great point, I should show how to do that.”

For example:

• A viewer once asked how to handle prepayment of sales tax in QuickBooks Online — a topic I hadn’t covered before. Their question turned into a full tutorial video that helped thousands of other users who had wondered the same thing.

• Another viewer wanted to know how to show remaining amounts when progress invoicing, something QuickBooks Desktop users were used to, but Online users couldn’t easily replicate. That question led me to experiment, research, and find a workaround that I could then share.

These comments do more than spark content ideas. They remind me that every single piece of content I create is for someone specific.

It’s not about algorithms or clicks, it’s about helping you solve something that’s been bugging you.

2. Questions From Our Readers

If you’ve visited the Gentle Frog blog, you’ve probably seen a little pop-up that says, “Have a question? Ask Rachel.”

That’s not a gimmick, it’s a real way to connect with me.

When you type a question into that box, it comes straight to me, and I read every one. Many of those questions become new articles, YouTube tutorials, or podcast episodes.

It’s one of my favorite things about running this business, turning someone’s real challenge into something that helps hundreds of others.

For example, someone might ask:

“I’m trying to reconcile a loan payment but can’t figure out where to put the interest portion.”

That question has probably come up a dozen times during training calls, but seeing it written out helps me realize it’s something worth documenting for everyone.

That’s how some of our most popular QuickBooks tutorials were born.

3. The Bookkeeping Community

I’m part of several online bookkeeping and accounting groups, and I learn something new from them every day.

Sometimes it’s a quick tip, sometimes it’s a frustration with a new QuickBooks update, and sometimes it’s a complicated situation like:

“My client paid a bill from their personal account. How do I record that in QBO?”

These communities are incredible. They’re full of professionals who love what they do, want to help others, and aren’t afraid to share their struggles.

Every time I see a recurring topic or confusion around a feature, I take note. If multiple bookkeepers are asking the same thing, chances are business owners are struggling with it too.

By turning those conversations into blog posts or videos, I can make those insights available to everyone, not just those in the private forums.

4. Training Calls

One-on-one training sessions are another constant source of inspiration.

When I’m working with a client, I get to see exactly how they use QuickBooks and where they get stuck.

It’s one thing to read a question online. It’s another to watch someone share their screen and say, “I’ve tried this three different ways, and it still doesn’t balance.”

Those moments show me what concepts need clearer explanations, what features need step-by-step guides, and what workflows people are struggling to grasp.

For instance, many of my cleanup clients struggle with undeposited funds, credit card reconciliations, or loan tracking, and those have all turned into detailed tutorials and videos.

Why I Love Complex Questions

Some of my favorite videos start with a question I think I know the answer to, only to realize it’s more complicated than expected.

That’s when things get interesting.

QuickBooks Online has a lot of quirks. The “right” answer often depends on the situation, the setup, or the goal. When I dig into those details, I usually discover a few alternative solutions, and I love showing those options so users can decide what works best for their unique business.

So, when someone asks a question that makes me stop and think, “Hmm… let’s test that,” I know it’s going to be a good one.

Turning Curiosity Into Clarity

What I’ve learned over the years is that curiosity fuels clarity.

Every question, no matter how small, is a chance to explore, test, and explain something in a new way. And when you take the time to answer thoughtfully, you’re not just helping one person — you’re helping everyone who didn’t know they had that same question.

That’s the heart of what we do at Gentle Frog.

It’s why I take time to create free resources like our Review Your QuickBooks Course — because learning how to read and review your own books gives you confidence, clarity, and control over your business.

How You Can Find Ideas, Too

If you’re a content creator, service provider, or just someone trying to stay relevant in your field, here’s a little secret:

You don’t need to chase inspiration. You just need to pay attention.

• Listen to your clients. Every email, question, or complaint is a seed for new ideas.

• Observe what’s being asked in Facebook groups, LinkedIn posts, or industry forums.

• Reflect on your daily work. What challenges come up repeatedly? What do people thank you for explaining?

• Test and share. Even if the answer isn’t perfect, walking others through your thought process helps everyone learn together.

That’s exactly how Gentle Frog has built such a strong community of learners, through curiosity, transparency, and a genuine desire to help.

Keep the Questions Coming

So, to everyone who’s ever left a YouTube comment, asked a blog question, or emailed me directly, thank you.

You’ve shaped this business more than you probably realize.

Your questions turn into new videos, tutorials, and discussions that help thousands of other small business owners and bookkeepers feel less confused and more confident.

If you’ve got a question or an idea, don’t hold back, click the “Ask Rachel” button on any post or drop a comment under a video. You never know, your question might just become the next Gentle Frog video or blog post.

Because at the end of the day, the best ideas don’t come from brainstorming alone. They come from listening, and from building something together.