Repurposing Content into Multiple Online Course Formats
Content repurposing is the process of taking existing content and transforming it into new formats to reach a wider audience and extend its lifespan. Repurposing content allows you to maximize the value of your existing content by repackaging it in different formats such as blog posts, videos, online courses, and more. 
Creating online courses and tutorials from scratch requires extensive upfront effort. The key to maximizing your return on investment is repurposing existing teachings into new formats.
This guide will explore proven methods for repurposing educational content into variations like video courses, summits, publications and more. You’ll learn how to efficiently repackage core materials to multiply exposure and monetization.
Follow this blueprint, and you can get exponential mileage out of every piece of instructional content you produce. Let’s dive in!
What does it mean to repurpose content?
Definition of content repurposing
Content repurposing refers to the practice of taking a piece of content and modifying it to adapt to different formats or platforms. It involves repackaging and redistributing existing content in new ways, providing value to your audience through diverse formats.
Why should you repurpose your content?
Repurposing your content offers many advantages. Firstly, it allows you to reach a larger audience by targeting different platforms and formats. Secondly, it helps to reinforce your message and ideas by presenting them in various formats. Lastly, repurposing content saves time and effort as you can build upon existing content rather than creating new content from scratch.
Benefits of repurposing content
There are several benefits to repurposing content. It enhances your content marketing strategy by enabling you to engage with your audience through different channels. Repurposing content also improves search engine optimization (SEO) by providing more opportunities for your content to be discovered. Additionally, it can attract new audiences who prefer consuming content in different formats.
Why Repurposing Online Course Content Matters
Before detailing specific formats, let’s discuss the key benefits repurposing provides:
Saves You Time
Adapting existing content is much faster than developing courses totally from scratch.
Reaches New Audiences
Each new format broadens your reach to students who prefer that learning modality.
Generates Multiple Revenue Streams
Repurposed courses can be bundled or sold individually for diversified sales.
Extends Your Authority
More course formats establish you as an expert across a breadth of educational mediums.
Improves Production Efficiency
Repurposing multiplies your content output exponentially faster than one-off courses.
Maximizes Discovery
Each new format has unique opportunities for students to discover your teachings.
Allows Specialization
Tailor courses to various student segments by highlighting specific takeaways for each version.
Now let’s look at the top course formats to repurpose your content into.
How to repurpose your content?
Ways to repurpose blog content
Blog content can be repurposed in various ways. You can repurpose blog posts into social media content by creating captivating snippets or quote graphics. Another option is to transform blog posts into videos or podcasts, offering your audience alternative ways to consume the same information.
How to create an online course from your content?
If you have valuable blog or video content, you can repurpose it into an online course. Identify the key topics from your existing content and organize them into modules or lessons for an online course. This allows you to further monetize your content and provide a comprehensive learning experience to your audience.
Repurposing video content for different platforms
Video content is highly versatile and can be repurposed for various platforms. You can extract short clips or snippets from your videos for social media posts, create teaser trailers, or compile tutorials into a comprehensive video series. This helps you reach audiences on different platforms and cater to their preferences.
What are some examples of content repurposing?
Repurposing blog posts into social media content
By repurposing blog posts into social media content, you can create engaging visuals and share bite-sized information with your followers. Convert key points or quotes from your blog posts into visually appealing graphics or short videos that are shareable on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
Turning written content into audio format
Transforming written content, such as blog posts or guides, into audio format allows you to reach audiences who prefer listening rather than reading. You can record podcasts or audiobooks, providing an alternative way for your audience to consume your content while driving, working out, or during their daily commute.
Creating long-form content from multiple content pieces
By combining several related content pieces, you can create long-form content such as comprehensive guides or whitepapers. Take a series of blog posts, for example, and compile them into an in-depth ebook or a downloadable guide. This repurposing strategy adds value to your audience by offering them a consolidated resource.
Why is content repurposing a smart strategy?
The value of repurposed content for SEO
Repurposing content can significantly benefit your SEO efforts. By repurposing content into different formats, you are providing more opportunities for search engines to index and rank your content. This can increase your visibility in search results and attract more organic traffic to your website.
How repurposing can save time and effort in content creation
Creating new content from scratch can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. However, by repurposing existing content, you can save time and effort. Repurposing allows you to recycle and adapt your ideas, research, and knowledge, enabling you to generate new content more efficiently.
Maximizing the reach of your content through different formats
Repurposing content into multiple formats helps you reach a wider audience. Different people prefer consuming content in different ways – some like to read, others prefer watching videos, and some enjoy listening to podcasts. Repurposing your content into various formats ensures that you cater to the preferences of diverse audiences.
Repurposing Into Focused Online Video Courses
One of the most effective repurposing approaches is segmented video courses focusing on a single aspect:
Extract a Sub-Topic
Take a deep dive topic from a larger course and expand into a full course.
Highlight Specific Applications
Demonstrate applying teachings to a particular context like an industry or job role.
Isolate Foundational Skills
Teach just the core skills or frameworks from a broader subject matter course.
Curate Topic Playlists
Compile videos on a common theme from past courses into a new playlist series.
Offer Alternate Perspectives
Repurpose content from alternate viewpoints like business vs. technical angles.
Localize Examples
Offer region or country-specific versions using localized examples, data and case studies.
Microcourses on very targeted subtopics attract specialized student segments.
Repurposing Online Courses into Summits and Conferences
Another option is compiling your courses into a summit package:
Bundle Related Courses
Combine multiple classes on the same or complementary topics into a summit bundle.
Add Live Q&As and Panels
Enhance pre-recorded lectures with live streamed expert Q&A sessions.
Compile Different Instructor Courses
Offer courses from multiple teachers under one summit for broader perspectives.
Include Supplementary Downloads
Provide workbooks, templates, frameworks and other downloads with compiled course content.
Offer Certifications
On completing the full summit, certify mastery of the concentrated skillset.
Host Live Kick-Off and Wrap Up Events
Bookend the virtual summit with streamed events to add community.
Bundled summits amplify the impact of your individual class offerings.
Repurposing into Written Publication Courses
Expanding courses into written publications ensures learnings are cemented:
Create Workbooks
Supplement classes with printable workbooks containing key framework summaries, templates and thought exercises.
Provide Full Transcripts
Publish or generate transcripts from video course dialogue to reinforce through reading.
Develop Study Guides
Distill classes into engaging study guide summaries and lesson overviews for quick reference.
Outline Actionable Takeaways
Printable tip sheets that summarize action steps from each course drive application.
Curate Topic Worksheets
Turn lectures into focused one-page printable worksheets on specific strategies covered.
Bundle as a Book
Combine course transcripts and materials into book form students can purchase.
Written companions reinforce and expand on video course teachings.
Repurposing for In-Person Delivery
Look for opportunities to deliver your virtual class in live settings:
Host Public Workshops
Use your online course content to develop in-person workshops, bootcamps and intensives.
Offer Corporate Training
Sell companies licenses for their training departments to administer your video course internally.
Give Live Presentations
If requested, speak on your course topics at conferences, corporate events or private functions.
Run Hybrid Events
Stream in-person events online through your course platform to widen reach simultaneously.
Teach Flipped Classrooms
Have students view foundational video content before in-person sessions focused on application.
Enable Train the Trainer
License your materials for partners certified to teach the curriculum under your brand.
Repurposing for live events allows you to scale impact beyond just digital channels.
Additional Online Course Repurposing Ideas
Look for miscellaneous additional format opportunities like:

Podcast episode series covering course highlights
Blog posts expanding on key course concepts
Social media friendly snippets and quotes from lectures
Infographics summarizing frameworks or data from classes
Interactive assessments and quizzes testing comprehension
Cheat sheets with quick tips from longer course content
Illustrations breaking down complex course processes
Curated playlists of songs related to course themes
Zines covering niche course topics targeted at enthusiasts
Crowdsourced Q&As publishing common student questions

Repurposing takes creativity, but enables exponential value from initial course investments.
Keys to Effective Course Content Repurposing
Ultimately, impact matters most. Keep these principles in mind:
Maintain Core Value
No matter the format, remain laser focused on delivering the promised student value.
Play to Medium Strengths
Tailor material to leverage unique benefits of each format like infographics simplifying complex data.
Analyze Audience Needs
Survey students to identify which supplemental or condensed formats would add the most value.
Promote Cross-Format
Let buyers of one format know about other available course variations and bundles.
Review Performance Data
Analyze engagement for each format to double down on what resonates best.
Build a Unified Brand
Maintain consistent branding and messaging across all course formats for a cohesive student experience.
Automate When Possible
Streamline creation of materials like transcripts using automation tools to scale faster.
Always put student value first when repurposing to multiply results rather than justredundant content.
Key Takeaways
The formats you use to deliver teachings should evolve over time to continually engage new student segments, meet preferences, and optimize learning.
Repurposing proven online course content into summits, publications, seminars, and other mediums maximizes discoverability while saving production time compared to one-off courses.
But avoid repurposing just for the sake of more content volume. Ensure formats provide specific value like convenience, deeper reference, or enhanced application opportunities.
Analyze course performance, student feedback, and industry trends to identify the most impactful mediums to invest in for each subject matter. Strike a balance between expanding your library and over-saturation.
Use this guide to spark ideas on how you can best multiply the return from your subject matter expertise through repurposing content while staying targeted to student needs.
Conclusion
In today's content-driven digital landscape, repurposing content is a smart and effective strategy. It allows you to extend the lifespan of your content, maximize its value, and reach a larger audience. By repackaging existing content into new formats such as blog posts, videos, and online courses, you can provide diverse experiences to your audience and create more opportunities for engagement and growth.