Tweet

Stop Working So Hard!

Written by: Karen Scharf

Article Overview: You're working too hard and you're not making enough money. I know that seems like a brash statement, but I've worked with enough small business owners to presume that it's probably true for you. The problem is, you're not taking advantage of one of your most important assets.

Stop Working So Hard!

You're working too hard and you're not making enough money.

I know that seems like a brash statement, but I've worked with enough small business owners to presume that it's probably true for you. The problem is, you're not taking advantage of one of your most important assets.

I firmly believe that your absolute most important asset is your current customer list. But your second most important asset is the information you've already produced. And chances are, you're not putting it to good enough use. You should be using this same information over and over again in different ways and repurposing it into different formats, different presentations, and different products. You've spent a lot of time and a lot of effort in producing the content you have, so you might as well get the most bang for your buck, right?

If you have a written article, why not create the audio version? If you have any audio, why not turn it into a video? Repurposing your content has multiple benefits:

I've mentioned before that my background is in special education, and as an educator I have a definite appreciation for the different types of learning styles. By turning your written articles into audio files, you'll be better equipped to reach your prospects who are auditory learners, or your web site visitors who are visually impaired. Generating videos from your content allows you to reach the visual learners. If you create written transcripts, it's easier for you to reach non-native speakers since it's usually easier to read a foreign language than listen to it. Various types of involvement devices will be appreciated by your prospects who are kinesthetic learners.

Repurposing your content also helps your prospects get to know you better (remember the "know, like, trust factor"). Reading an article you've written is great, but actually hearing your voice on an mp3 and seeing your face in a video is even better.

Let me give you a few examples of how this works in real life.

I have a client who is a business coach in Chicago. He has some very in-depth pen-and-paper assessments he uses to help his clients determine which business stage they are in. We are in the process of turning those assessments into on-line quizzes that will be broken down into multiple parts. Same content, but we're repurposing it.

Another client is very fond of creating "top 10 list" type of articles. We've taken one of her articles, expanded on each of the ten tips, and turned it into a 10-part podcast. And we're doing the same with the rest of her articles.

You can turn your articles into press releases, autoresponder series, blog posts, ebooks, etc. Compile several similar articles into a transcript and create a teleclass. Record the teleclass, add a fill-in-the-blanks worksheet and now you have a mini-home study course. The possibilities are endless.

And what's even better, once you have all this newly repurposed content, you can promote it all to your #1 asset - your current customers!

Action Items

Choose your favorite article (preferably one that you've written, but if you haven't written any yet choose any article on your topic).
Write out 6 or 7 questions pertaining to the article, along with a brief script for the answers.
Ask a friend to interview you using these questions and answers. Record the interview and create an mp3 product to use as a lead generator.

Related Articles
  What’s The Only Thing Worse Than an Incompetent Subordinate?
  On my own
  Activity vs. Productivity
  How to enjoy Christmas in your business
  Get Out of Your Way

Article Tags: article marketing, internet marketing, video marketing



Related Forum Posts
Re: What is Your Favorite Thing About Owning A Business? - [quote="freddyb45":1t3lpfi8]For me it's the fact that all the time and effort you put in is worth a lot more, due to it making you "business" more profitable. Working for yourself is also a positive, although employing people you can trust is quite different.[/quote:1t3lpfi8] I like this idea. Working for yourself means you are investing in your own future, not someone else's, although there is value in working for someone else first to gain experience and confidence. Working for yourself does not automatically mean success, fame and fortune. For most entrepreneurs, it takes much work and dedication to get to the point of financial success and comfort - sometimes years. But the benefit is, again, you know you are investing in yourself and building equity for your own future. GT :-]
Re: Quote of the Day - "You are built not to shrink down to less - We just need to do what it takes to blossom. Hard work, perseverance and taken massive action
Decide your market first - Stop for a second and decide exactly who it is that you want to sell your product to. Once you've done this you'll have a far better idea of where to find them and what it is that they're interested in Cheers
Re: Five Personality Traits of Successful Business Owners - 1. Focus 2. Ability to Adapt 3. Hard Work 4. Good planning 5. People Skills
Re: First Brag of 2011! - Hi David, Hard to believe that was your first effort, it was very well explained and clear. I have left a comment on your blog, keep up the great work, Mal.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

The Importance of Master Data Management (MDM)

How to Sell to the Price Driven Customer

Getting The Media Attention You Deserve

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.