by Kathryn Lang, @KathrynCLang

“Repurpose your words.”

The first time I heard this idea I was sitting in a session by Cheryl Sloan Wray about perfecting my query. I liked what she had to say about taking the same concept and the same words and then shifting them a little to work for different publications.

I tucked that idea way (like so many other ideas I have learned from writers conferences) and continued moving forward in my writing journey utilizing the same tools and the same ideas I had been using before.

Flash forward almost a decade. I took on a writing challenge that left me just shy of writing almost 1 million words in one year. Yes – ONE MILLION WORDS. My word count included my blog posts, my book manuscripts, and my radio scripts. I realized too late that I was less than 10,000 words shy of the one million mark and so I jumped into 2016 determined to get there.

I had one change in my plan, since my radio show was not “written” words then I would not count those.

A quarter of the way into the New Year, I realized that I was in trouble. The new radio format required about 3000 words per day, and sometimes I just didn’t have anything left to give.

“Repurpose your words.”

I heard the voice of Cheryl in my head challenging me to do more with my radio scripts than just file them away.

Kathryn’s Steps for Repurposing Words

1. I cut out the intro and breaks from my scripts. I combine the five days of related scripts into one manuscript. By the end of each week, I have a completed eBook of around 12,000 words.

But wait, there’s more.

2. I take the elements that I cut from the original scripts and I use those to piece together blog posts that introduce the podcast version of the radio show that I post on my website – and each post includes a link for visitors to download their FREE eBooks.

Is that not enough repurposing? I have more!

3. I produce five weeks of radio shows that are related by focus or topic. That means that I end up with five eBooks that are related. By writing an introduction to the topic or focus, adding some transitional words, and creating a closing, I have a FULL print book that is around 65,000 words.

The key to repurposing the words it not to repeat the words exactly – use parts of the words or elements of the words to create new experiences for readers.

Now it’s YOUR turn.

1. Look at smaller elements you have written – blog posts, social media posts, even journal entries. Find 10 to 30 that follow a similar theme. Combine these to create your eBook on the theme topic.

2. Look for longer elements – maybe several of the themed eBooks. Combine 5 to 10, add in a dash of introduction and commentary, and you have a print book completed from the words already crafted.

3. Look at lines or thoughts that stand out from each of these elements. Use a favorite personal photo (or go create one specific to the idea). Put the Quote on the top and you have a personalize meme that directs to your product.

The key is not to over think it – to let the words do some of the work. By putting words together that are related and by highlighting your favorite points – you can craft everything from tweets to books (and most of what is in between).

Writing is a challenging enough profession. It is high time that we put our words to work for us.

Award winning author, master multi-tasker, and encourager extraordinaire, Kathryn Lang has been helping others find the time to make their dreams come true. She shares with people that are trying to walk the tightrope of family, work, and faith – and keep them all in the right balance. She has a sense of humor, enjoys a little snark now and then, and references movies and songs in her every day speech – because laughter helps make this journey worthwhile. Learn more about Kathryn and invite her to speak at you next event by visiting her website, Kathryn Lang.