What if you could work smarter, not harder?
If you’re anything like me, the idea of creating fresh, original content for every single platform makes your head spin. You’ve got a business to run, clients to coach, and maybe even a few moments of personal life to salvage. Who has time for endless content creation? Spoiler alert: nobody. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to.
Let me take you on a journey through the art of repurposing content. Not only will it save you time, but it will also make your life coaching clients think you’re some kind of productivity wizard. (And hey, isn’t that half the battle?)
Why Repurposing is the Secret Sauce of Content Strategy
I used to believe that every post, blog, or video I created needed to be wholly original—a unique snowflake in the blizzard of online content. I thought repurposing was cheating or, worse, lazy. But after years of burnout and the realization that I wasn’t exactly reinventing the wheel each time, I embraced repurposing.
Here’s the thing: most people don’t consume content the same way on every platform. Your Instagram followers might never see your blog posts, and your email subscribers may not watch your YouTube videos. By repurposing content, you’re simply maximizing the reach of your ideas. One effort, multiple results. So, here’s how.
Step 1: Start with a Core Piece of Content
The first step in repurposing content is creating a high-quality, foundation piece. For life coaching, this might be a blog post on “Overcoming Imposter Syndrome” or a webinar on “Setting Intentional Goals.” Think of this as your content mothership: everything else will orbit around it.
Here’s a quick checklist for a strong core piece of content:
- It addresses a key pain point for your audience.
- It’s detailed and actionable.
- It aligns with your brand’s tone and values.
For example, you could write a blog post about “The Power of Small Wins in Personal Growth.” That single post can become the foundation for weeks of content across multiple platforms.
Step 2: Break It Down for Social Media
Your core content is like a rich lasagna: layered, hearty, and packed with flavor. But nobody eats lasagna in one bite, right? Social media is where you slice it into smaller, bite-sized portions.
- Quote Graphics – Pull inspirational quotes or key insights from your content and pair them with eye-catching visuals.
- Carousel Posts – Create a mini-series of slides walking through the main points of your blog or webinar.
- Reels – Film short, engaging videos where you expand on a specific point or offer a quick tip.
Twitter (or X)
- Condense key points into short, punchy tweets or threads.
- Use polls to engage your audience with questions related to the topic.
- Share a professional take on the topic with actionable advice customized to a business-minded audience.
- Use the blog post as a LinkedIn article, perhaps tweaking it slightly to fit the platform’s tone.
Step 3: Expand It for Video and Audio
Once you’ve covered social media, it’s time to think multimedia. Video and audio are excellent ways to connect on a deeper level with your audience.
YouTube
- Film a detailed walkthrough of your blog post’s key points. Don’t worry about perfection; authenticity resonates more than polished delivery.
- Create shorter videos for specific subtopics.
Podcasts
- Record an episode diving deeper into the topic. Share personal anecdotes or client success stories to make it relatable.
- Invite a guest to discuss the topic with you for added value and perspective.
Step 4: Turn It Into an Email Campaign
Now that you’ve got social media and multimedia covered, let’s turn to email. Email campaigns are a fantastic way to nurture your audience and keep your life coaching services top of mind.
- Weekly Tips: Break your core content into 3-5 weekly emails, each focusing on a different aspect of the topic.
- Downloadable Resources: Turn a portion of the content into a PDF guide or worksheet that subscribers can download.
- Case Studies: Highlight real-life applications of the advice, showcasing how it’s helped others.
Step 5: Don’t Forget Evergreen Content
Repurposing isn’t just about creating a content blitz; it’s about extending the life of your ideas. Evergreen content—the kind that remains relevant over time—is your best friend here.
- Update old blog posts with fresh insights or examples.
- Recycle social media posts that performed well by tweaking them slightly.
- Create a content calendar to revisit and reuse core topics on a regular basis.
Is Repurposing “Cheating”?
I get it. There’s a nagging voice that says, “But isn’t this just regurgitating old stuff?” Trust me, I’ve been there. The truth is repurposing isn’t about cutting corners; it’s about being strategic.
Your audience doesn’t care if your Instagram post echoes a podcast you released two weeks ago. They’re busy. They need reminders. They consume content in different ways at different times. By repurposing, you’re meeting them where they are.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
Repurposing content is like planting a garden. You’re not growing a single flower; you’re cultivating an ecosystem where every piece of content nourishes the next.
So, take a deep breath, pour yourself a cup of coffee (or tea, if that’s your jam), and start with one piece of core content. Before you know it, you’ll have an entire month’s worth of material, all from that one initial effort.
