The Art Of Repurposing Content: How To Get The Most From Your Content

The Subtle Art of Repurposing Your Content

You know that saying about working smart being better than working hard? It also goes in this business of creating content. That’s why today’s post is focusing on the art of repurposing content and making the most out of your content.

It’s a post I’m personally excited about, as we all get to be schooled on how to repurpose your content by one of Nigeria’s finest branding and communications expert – Blessing Abeng.

I love to feature people with knowledge I know will be beneficial to both myself and my readers (Like this post on how to craft the perfect elevator pitch and this on tools to inspire your creativity. )

So tuck in, grab a note, and prepare to learn a skill that will help you elevate your content game.

Hi, My name is Blessing and I don’t like stress!

*I’m expecting you to say Hi Blessing”, because in my head, this is an AA session for Content Creators. Now that we are aligned, and have established this safe space, I can tell you my story.

Like I said earlier, I hate stress but I love results. I love seeing my efforts transform into results, so I figured out a hack – repurposing my content. It is a science and an art, I’ll be teaching you both.

What Does It Mean To Repurpose Content ?

Repurposing your content basically milking all or parts of your existing content to expand that content’s reach. It’s changing the format of existing content to target different/a wider audience.

Want To Learn How To Extend The Life Of Your Content And Get The Most Out Of It? Read This! Click To Tweet

The Science of Repurposing Content.

First things first, nothing would work if you do not know

Who you are creating content for
The value you are seeking to add
Your identity

You need to be mentally specific about who your content is for: Is it for creators? Fashion enthusiasts? Lifestyle enthusiast? Friends? Entertainers? Just think about it. Who will benefit the most from your content? Who are they? Where are they? What are their problems? What questions do they have?

Next up, the value you want to add: Try not to overthink value. Value doesn’t have to be speeches, giveaways, lesson notes, or anything too serious. It might just be – a listening ear, an inspiration in fashion, a way of life that is appealing to someone, being relatable, a story that soothes the mind, making people laugh. Spurring an emotion, action, or aspiration.

Finally, identity: Sprinkling your own flavor on it because no one will do it exactly how you do it, or say it how you say it. Let your uniqueness and personality shine.

Wait! I see that I am digressing, so let’s walk back to science. The reason I mentioned all I did earlier is because, the formula I’m about to teach you requires this foundational knowledge.

We’ll call this formula – The Law of Content Buckets

This law simply states that when you decide to be a creator, create specific buckets that are the core of your content. Imagine having 3 different buckets of water, one for bathing, one for washing, one for drinking – Whenever you need to drink, you know which bucket to go to.

In simple English, decide on 2-6 pillars that’ll form the core of your content. What are the 2-6 categories you’ll post about to reach your audience and achieve your content goals.

This is the first hack. This is the science part.

Now the art, the fun part.

The Art of Repurposing Content.

There’s no way in this life, that I’ll spend time creating a piece of content only for one platform, in one media type. In my opinion, every post deserves more than one-life. Every content I create should have at least 9 lives and live for different audiences.

People shouldn’t only read it, they should read the shorter version, longer version, hear it, watch it, hear someone and I discuss it, and be satisfied irrespective of their learning style.

Every content you create should have at least nine lives and live for different audiences Click To Tweet

So, How Can I Repurpose My Content?

Let’s assume my audience has been asking me about “How to stay consistent”

I’ll create a post on why they should even be consistent in the first place (background)
Title: Why you are not consistent.
I’ll make another post on how they can be consistent (main post)
Title: 5 Ways to Stay consistent
I’ll create a post that tells them a story reminding them that they are already good at consistency (Supporting post)
Title: Brush your teeth
Then I’ll Create a 1 Minute Podcast sharing this
Title: How to Stay Consistent
I’ll create a Thread on Twitter
Title: Brush your teeth, the key to consistency
Then make an article on LinkedIn about Consistency
Title: Staying Consistent with Work
I’ll go Live with a thought leader and ask one question about consistency
Title: Content Creation with Dain Walker
That Live will be exported as a video and posted to Youtube
Title: How Dain Walker stays consistent or Consistency Tips from Dain Walker
I’ll send an email to my mailing list.

Then I recycle and make into carousels again, extract a quote or two, and squeeze out every juice in this orange until nothing is left but the back. I even plant the seeds.In my mind, content is like a Palm tree, every part of a palm is useful, even the byproducts can make more by-products, so why waste it?

Your content is like a palm tree. Use the leaves, the seeds, the branch, the roots. Then use the by-products and the by-products of the by-products! Click To Tweet

The reasons I can do these are (A.K.A why you should repurpose your content) :

I want to give my audience different experiences, even if they follow me across platforms
I know that people need different things to learn and the lesson may never click till it hits them in their own way
Repetition is golden and it helps with recollection
I have design templates and preferred aesthetics already, so I never do anything from scratch
The core topic is the same. I can tweak the words but the goal stays the same.

I’ll leave you with a few tips to help you get started :

Choose your platforms wisely
Master your tone across platforms
Invest in creating templates
Choose your core topic carefully
Create ahead and schedule your posts.
Space them out, you can post one in January and the next in May
Have a format and style but re-invent yourself every once in a while
Use easy tools like canva.com, veed.io, later.com, to automate
Don’t repeat the exact same message, the exact same way everywhere

Repurposing content is an art, a subtle art.

Good thing you are already an artist!

Now, go flourish. You’re welcome.

Blessing Abeng is a branding and communications expert dedicated to helping entrepreneurs identify their value, identity, and unique point of view. She helps brands communicate with their team, target audience, partners, and investors. She is also the co-founder of Disha and Director of Communications at Ingressive for Good.