How to Repurpose Your Blog Content: A Workflow & Examples
Juggling motherhood and running a blogging business can sometimes feel like a high-wire act, right? You pour your heart and soul into creating incredible content, but with a family to take care of, too, finding the time to constantly churn out something new can be a struggle (been there, done that!).
In an earlier blog post, I explained repurposing content and gave you 10 benefits of why it’s a good idea to include it in your business strategy. Now, it’s time to take that knowledge and put it into action. This post is all about the next step: how to repurpose your blog posts.
We are going to create a simple workflow where we take your existing content and create fresh, engaging pieces, saving you precious time and maximizing your reach, all while staying productive.
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What is Content Repurposing?
Have you read my post, “The 10 Benefits of Repurposing Content to Maximize its Potential” where I broke down what repurposing is all about? If you haven’t, go check it out and then come back to this one.
Basically, it’s taking those stellar blog posts you’ve already written and changing them into fresh content for new channels, like social media or even videos. Your fabulous content will reach a whole new audience.
The key here is focusing on “evergreen” content, those topics that stay relevant long after you publish them. This way, when you repurpose, your content keeps on giving. Plus, by presenting your evergreen content in new formats, you keep it “fresh” for search engines, which can actually boost your SEO.
Whether you work on your blog during the day or squeeze in some blogging hours around your daytime job and family, repurposing doesn’t just save you time. It also helps you stretch the reach and lifespan of those valuable blog posts you worked so hard to create. Now, let’s dive into the fun part: how to turn your existing content into multiple pieces.
How to Repurpose: The Content Repurposing Workflow
It is time to turn theory into practice. Here’s a step-by-step workflow to help you transform your existing blog posts into multiple content pieces to share with your extended audience, all without starting from scratch.
Step 1: Picking the perfect posts
First things first, we need to choose the right content to repurpose. Ideally, you want to pick evergreen posts, like the ones about parenting tips or budgeting hacks. These kinds of posts can be easily adapted to different formats without the need of major updates.
Think about posts that consistently get good engagement (comments, shares) or have high traffic numbers. These are clear signs your audience loved them. You’re not sure where to look? You can use Google Analytics to discover your top performers based on engagement metrics.
Step 2: Choosing fitting platforms
Next, let’s figure out where you want to share your evergreen content. It’s time to choose the perfect platform for sharing.
Think about where your amazing audience hangs out online. Do they love short and snappy Instagram stories? Perhaps they’re glued to informative YouTube videos? Maybe they’re podcast enthusiasts who crave in-depth discussions.
The key here is to choose the platform that best aligns with your content and where your target audience already hangs out. That way, you’re reaching them with valuable content in a format they love to consume.
Step 3: Creating new, repurposed content
Now the fun begins: adjusting your chosen blog posts into content pieces for their new platforms. Here are some ideas to get you inspired already, all based on the type of content you want to create:
- Blog Post to Video: Videos are fantastic for grabbing attention with visuals, demonstrations, or even interviews. Take the most important points from your blog post and turn them into a short, engaging script.
It doesn’t have to be difficult. There are tons of free screen recording tools, like Loom or Potion, that allow you to add your voiceover. You can also create a captivating slideshow presentation with images and text.
- Blog Post to Audio: Podcasts are perfect for busy people on the go who love to learn while they multitask. This might be the easiest repurposing trick: simply read your blog post in a captivating voice and record it as a podcast episode.
Don’t forget to add some fun intro and outro music, and maybe even throw in some sound effects to keep it interesting. My friend Shannyn (the EF Bomb Coach) reads and records her blog posts to embed in her post. Like this one about self-limiting beliefs.
- Blog Post to Social Media: Social media is all about bite-sized content, teasers, and engaging quotes. Extract those juicy snippets from your blog post, like statistics, tips, or lessons. Then, pair them with eye-catching visuals like infographics or beautiful images to create social media posts that will stop the scroll. A great place to do this is in Canva. Pam Allen has a fantastic Facebook group where you can ask all your questions about Canva.
We’ll explore specific ideas and examples for each format in the next section.
7 Examples of Repurposing Content
Now that you’ve identified your evergreen articles and chosen your platforms, let’s get creative. Here are some fantastic ways to repurpose your existing blog posts and squeeze every drop of value out of them:
1. From Blog Post to Podcast Episode
Imagine your blog post as a captivating conversation. Repurpose it into a podcast episode by:
- Scripting key points and adding conversational transitions.
- Injecting your personality and insights to create an engaging experience.
- Including Q&A sections based on blog post comments for an interactive feel.
You can easily expand on the written content with personal anecdotes, in-depth discussions, or even interview a friend or expert for additional insights. And what about repurposing guest quotes or interview snippets from existing podcast episodes for bite-sized social media content?
2. From Blog Post to YouTube Video
Transform your blog post into a visually engaging YouTube video:
- Create a captivating slideshow with key points and visuals.
- Use screen recording tools with voiceover to walk viewers through the content.
- Consider incorporating interviews with experts or demonstrations relevant to your topic.
What works for creating a podcast episode from your blog post also works for creating a YouTube video. You can even record the YouTube video first, then turn the sound into a podcast episode…it’s like two birds, one stone…
3. From Blog Post to Social Media Video (Reel/TikTok/YouTube Short)
Turn your blog post into a bite-sized, attention-grabbing social media video:
- Extract a single, engaging tip or statistic from your post.
- Use trendy music and text overlays to create a dynamic visual experience.
- Keep it short and sweet – aim for under 60 seconds for maximum impact on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.
Of course, you can also use your full-sized YouTube video for this. Take a single tip from your video, condense it into a quick, visually appealing snippet (think creative time-lapse or funny voiceover if that suits your brand), and add trending music or hashtags. It’s all about grabbing your audience’s attention in those crucial first seconds.
4. From Blog Post to Social Media Captions
Spice up your social media with captivating snippets from your blog post:
- Extract quotes, statistics, or actionable tips to create engaging captions.
- Use hashtags relevant to your topic and niche to expand your reach and attract new followers.
- Pair your captions with eye-catching visuals like infographics or images to grab attention.
Don’t underestimate the power of a well-crafted caption. Using your blog post for this makes it so much easier. You’ve already written the text for your blog post, so writing a social media caption isn’t such a challenge anymore.
5. From Blog Post to Newsletter
Extend the reach of your blog post with an engaging newsletter:
- Summarize key points or offer a “sneak peek” at your blog post content.
- Motivate your subscribers to click through to your blog for the full scoop.
- Include a call to action to get subscribers to reply to you and share the key takeaway points from your newsletter and possibly your blog post.
Your blog post can be a fantastic starting point for your email newsletter. Offer a concise summary of the post, highlighting key takeaways and valuable information. You can always include exclusive content in your newsletter, like bonus tips or downloadable resources. When you mention these extras in your blog post, it will possibly lead to more sign-ups.
6. From Blog Post to Freebies
Turn key points from your blog post into a downloadable cheat sheet or checklist for your audience.
- Extract key takeaways or action steps from a blog post.
- Create downloadable checklists or cheat sheets.
- Create a downloadable workbook or template that expands on the information for in-depth blog posts with actionable steps.
These valuable freebies can be offered in exchange for email signups or to enhance your blog posts. Creating freebies from your blog post is a great repurposing tactic, especially when your post involves deep thinking or steps to learn a skill or habit.
If you are looking for some inspiration to create your own freebie, check out the Freebie Marketplace from Passive Income Pathways. You might find a freebie you like and sign up for it!
7. From Blog Post to Presentation
An in-depth blog post is also a great source for a presentation to a group of people who want to learn more about a specific topic.
- Create a captivating slideshow with key points and visuals.
- Pre-record your presentation with voiceover to guide viewers through the content
- Include a Q&A session at the end of your presentation
Instead of pre-recording, you could give a live presentation for a more involved experience. The Q&A session at the end is a great resource for a follow-up blog post or upgrading your existing post.
Repurposing Beyond the Blog Post
Repurposing blog posts is a great starting point. But content repurposing doesn’t stop at blog posts. Here are some bonus ideas:
- Blog Post Comments: Positive blog comments highlight content that resonates with your audience. Turn these comments into social media testimonials or quotes praising your expertise.
- Course Content: Take one lesson within your course and turn it into a blog post. Or create social media, video, or audio content of your choice. This is a great way to entice your audience to look into your paid products and possibly make a sale.
- Course Testimonials: Student testimonials from your online course can be repurposed as powerful website copy or social media content to attract new students.
- About Page: The information on your “About Me” page can be used to create a captivating personal introduction video or a series of social media posts that tell your story and connect with your audience on a deeper level.
- Social Media Posts: Of course, you can always repurpose old(er) social media posts into new content. Whether you create new social media posts for the same platform or posts for different platforms, be sure to refresh the old content, and don’t just copy and paste it.
Final Thoughts
The possibilities for repurposing content are endless. Basically, every written word (and even visuals) within your blogging business is a potential source for repurposing.
By strategically transforming your existing content, you can save precious time, expand your reach, and breathe new life into your amazing work.
But here’s the thing: while repurposing is a content creation short-cut and fantastic for your productivity, it shouldn’t replace the joy of creating brand-new content. Fresh ideas and innovative approaches keep your blog exciting and your audience engaged. Think of repurposing as a way to amplify your existing content, not a substitute for the creative spark that makes your blog unique.
The key lies in finding a sweet spot, a balance between repurposing existing content and carving out time for creating fresh content. Utilize the time-saving benefit of repurposing to free up your schedule for those new ideas bubbling in your mind.
I have experimented with many of these repurposing tactics over the years. My favorites are turning my blog posts into social media captions and using them in my newsletters. I also had the pleasure of turning one of my blog posts into a presentation for a group of authors who wanted to learn more about a specific business topic. This was a fantastic experience and a profitable one too.
It goes without saying that every repurposed piece of content should include a call to action (CTA), such as visiting your blog for more information or subscribing to your email list.
Start with a couple of blog posts and see how they enhance your reach. Remember, balance is key. Keep creating new content, too, to maintain your audience’s interest and stay productive as you build your successful blogging business!
If you are interested in more tips to up your productivity, fill in your name and email below. You will get a list of my most helpful tips to tackle time management. Little secret? Tip #4 is my favorite, but I couldn’t do without tip #7!
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