Turn one idea into 200 pieces of content

This is the last issue of the year. I’d like to spend time with my family and recharge for 2024. And I hope you do the same.

Creating an endless stream of content from a single idea might sound difficult, but it's achievable with the right approach.

This is a common challenge that many founders and content creators face, especially when they aim to maintain a consistent presence on platforms like LinkedIn.

After a few posts, ideas seem to dry up, leaving you wondering what to post next.

However, it's not as complicated as it might seem. The key lies in adopting a structured framework, which allows you to systematically extract and expand upon every side of your initial idea. 

This isn't just about repurposing content.

It's about exploring your idea from every angle and presenting it in various formats to keep your audience engaged.

So, how do you transform a single content idea into 200 pieces of unique content?

Let's break down the process inspired by methods I've seen many successful founders and content creators use:

Step 1: Establish Your Content Pillars

Begin by identifying 3-4 core topics or 'pillars' around which all your content will revolve. These should be subjects deeply relevant and interesting to your target audience.

The aim is to create a strong foundation that resonates with your ideal customers' needs, challenges, and interests.

Step 2: Craft Long-Form Content for Each Topic

You aim to produce comprehensive, high-quality, long-form articles or blog posts for each pillar topic. These pieces are not just articles; they are resources that provide immense value to your audience.

The content should be informative, actionable, and rich in insights.

Step 3: Segment Long-Form Content into Multiple Articles

Look for distinct sections or themes within these articles. Each of these can be seeded for a new, shorter piece. Take these sections and approach them from different angles. You're not just cutting and pasting; you're reshaping the content to stand independently with a fresh perspective.

Examples of Reframed Titles:

Let's say your original long-form piece is about reducing SaaS churn rates. Here are ways you could spin off parts of that article into new pieces:

1. "Best Tips to Reduce Sales Cycles with Mutual Action Plans": Focusing on practical tips extracted from the broader topic.

2. "Do's and Don'ts of Lowering SaaS Churn": Offering a straightforward guide on what to embrace and avoid.

3. "Top 10 Tips to Reduce Your SaaS Churn Rate": Highlighting the most effective strategies in a list format.

4. "5-Step Framework for Minimizing SaaS Churn": Breaking down your approach into an actionable step-by-step guide.

5. "7 Reasons Why Managing SaaS Churn is Challenging": Discussing the complexities and challenges of the topic.

6. "Essential Tools to Combat SaaS Churn": Sharing tools or software that can reduce churn.

7. "Must-Read Books and Influential Thought Leaders on SaaS Management": Providing resources for further learning and expert insights.

Step 4: Diversify Content into Multiple LinkedIn Posts

Each article can be broken down and adapted into various LinkedIn post formats. The aim is to repurpose your content to fit LinkedIn's unique characteristics and engagement styles.

Examples of LinkedIn Post Formats:

Using the 'Top 10 Tips to Reduce Your SaaS Churn Rate' article, here's how you can create engaging LinkedIn posts:

1. Text-Only Post: Share a compelling tip or insight from your article in a simple, text-based format.

2. Carousel Post: Create a carousel of slides, each highlighting a different tip or statistic from your article.

3. Listicle Post: Condense your article into a listicle format, summarizing key points in an easy-to-digest post.

4. 1-Page Cheat Sheet: Design a visually appealing cheat sheet that summarizes the core elements of your article.

5. Selfie-Style Video Post: Record a short, personal video discussing a key aspect or summarizing your article.

Always link back to your long-form blog post. Placing this link in a comment on your post is more effective than in the post itself. This strategy can help drive traffic to your blog without cluttering your LinkedIn post.

Step 5: Craft Variations for Each LinkedIn Post

You now have a robust collection of LinkedIn posts derived from your articles. The idea now is to create several versions of each post. This isn't about overhauling the content but making nuanced adjustments that can significantly alter the post's appeal and engagement.

The most impactful changes often involve the hook or the initial few lines of your post.

Techniques for Variations:

• Change the Hook: Experiment with different opening lines. This could be a provocative question, a surprising fact, a bold statement, or a relatable anecdote.

• Rephrase the Content: Slightly alter the wording or structure of your post. The core message remains the same, but the presentation varies.

• Use Different Visuals: For posts with images or graphics, try using alternative visuals or layouts while keeping the text similar.

• Alter the Call-to-Action: Modify your call-to-action at the end of the post. Test different phrases or questions to encourage engagement.

Use these variations to see what resonates most with your audience. By varying your posts, you keep your content fresh and avoid overwhelming your audience with repetitive messaging.

Different versions can appeal to different segments of your audience, broadening your overall reach.

Step 6: Schedule Posts for Optimal Engagement

Platforms like Taplio or Publer are designed to streamline your social media management. They allow you to schedule posts in advance, saving time and ensuring regular content delivery. Load your 200 posts into the scheduling tool. This includes all the variations you've created for each topic.

Plan out when each post will go live. The goal is to maintain a steady rhythm that keeps your audience engaged without overwhelming them.

Tips for Effective Scheduling:

• Maintain a Consistent Rhythm: Aim for a consistent posting schedule. This could mean posting once a day, several times a week, or whatever frequency suits your audience and content strategy.

• Recycle Topics Thoughtfully: It's okay to revisit the same topics every 2-4 weeks, especially if they are core to your brand or particularly engaging for your audience. However, ensure each post offers a fresh angle or insight to keep things interesting.

• Monitor Peak Engagement Times: Use insights from your scheduling tool or LinkedIn analytics to determine the best times to post for maximum engagement.

• Be Adaptable: Be prepared to adjust your schedule based on audience engagement, trending topics, or significant events in your industry. Flexibility is key in responsive content management.

Step 7: Analyze and Repurpose Your Posts

Regularly check how your posts are performing. Look at metrics like engagement rates, click-through rates, shares, and comments to gauge the success of each post.

Look for common themes among your top-performing posts.

Is it the topic, the format, the time of posting, or the style of writing that's driving engagement?

Also, pay attention to the comments and direct messages you receive. Audience feedback can provide invaluable insights into what content is most impactful.

Repurposing Strategy:

• Recycle with Care: When you identify posts that have performed exceptionally well, don’t hesitate to schedule them again. However, consider tweaking them slightly to keep the content fresh.

• Adapt Based on Learnings: Use your insights from analyzing your posts to make subtle changes. This could involve refining the message, changing the visuals, or adjusting the call to action.

• Stay Relevant: Ensure that the topics you repurpose remain relevant to your ideal customers. Topics that are evergreen or continuously relevant to your audience can be reused effectively.

With only one content topic, you can end up with 200+ posts. Now, with this framework, you will never run out of ideas 🙂

Have the happiest new year!

- Dimitris

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