How I Turned One Blog Post into a Content Machine
Lessons from the Trenches...
A few years ago, I published a blog post I was really proud of. It was called “10 Productivity Hacks for Freelancers,” and it took me days to research, write, and polish. I hit “publish,” shared it on social media, and waited for the magic to happen.
A week later, it was buried under newer posts, barely getting any traffic. I felt defeated. But then I realized something: that blog post wasn’t dead—it was just untapped potential.
Fast forward to today, and that single blog post has driven 10x more traffic, generated hundreds of leads, and even landed me a speaking gig. How? By repurposing it into a multi-platform content machine.
Here’s the story of how I did it—and how you and your colleagues can too.
The Turning Point: Why Repurposing Changed Everything
I used to think repurposing was just about recycling old content. But then I stumbled on a quote by Ann Handley:
“Repurposing isn’t about being lazy. It’s about being smart. It’s about making your content work harder for you.”
That hit me hard. I realized I wasn’t just wasting time creating new content—I was leaving value on the table. So, I decided to experiment.
Step 1: The Blog Post That Started It All
The original blog post was solid:
Title: “10 Productivity Hacks for Freelancers.”
Content: Actionable tips, personal stories, and data-backed insights.
But after the initial buzz died down, so did the traffic. That’s when I decided to breathe new life into it.
Step 2: Turning the Blog into a Video
I started by turning the blog into a 5-minute YouTube video. I didn’t have fancy equipment—just my phone and a ring light. I broke down each hack, added some visuals, and shared personal examples.
The Result:
The video got 2x more views than the blog.
It drove 30% more traffic back to the original post.
Tool I Used: Descript for easy editing and adding captions.
Step 3: Creating a LinkedIn Carousel
Next, I turned the blog into a LinkedIn carousel. I summarized each hack into a single slide, added eye-catching visuals, and ended with a CTA linking back to the blog.
The Result:
The carousel got 300% more engagement than my usual posts.
It sparked conversations in the comments, with freelancers sharing their own tips.
Tool I Used: Canva for designing the slides.
Step 4: Hosting a Live Q&A
I didn’t stop there. I hosted a live Q&A on LinkedIn, using the blog as the foundation. I shared the hacks, answered questions, and even brought in a guest expert to add value.
The Result:
200+ live attendees.
The recording became a podcast episode, bringing in new listeners.
Tool I Used: Anchor to turn the recording into a podcast.
Step 5: Building an Email Series
Finally, I turned the blog into a 5-part email series. Each email focused on one hack, with actionable tips and links to related resources.
The Result:
20% higher open rates compared to my usual emails.
A 15% increase in click-throughs to the blog.
Tool I Used: Mailchimp for email automation.
The Tools That Made It Possible
Here are the tools I swear by for repurposing content:
Canva: For creating visuals, infographics, and slide decks.
Descript: For editing videos and podcasts.
Buffer: For scheduling and tracking social media posts.
Anchor: For turning audio into podcasts.
Mailchimp: For building email campaigns.
Lessons I Learned Along the Way
Repurposing isn’t recycling—it’s reinvention. Each format should feel fresh and tailored to the platform.
Track your results. Use tools like Google Analytics to see what’s working and double down on it.
Experiment with new formats. Don’t be afraid to try something new—like a live event or interactive quiz.
Your Turn: How to Get Started
Here’s your challenge: pick one piece of content you’re proud of and repurpose it into at least two new formats. Start small—maybe turn a blog into a video or a carousel. Then track the results and build from there.
Want more tips? Check out the first blog: