You could call this article “how to repurpose old blog posts and make them new again.”
No doubt the single biggest challenge with having a blog is coming up with new stuff to say (or write).
And as someone who has been writing for blogs since early 2008 (not ancient history, but not a “newbie” either) here are seven quick tips you can use today.
Now, assuming you have some articles you’ve already written, we’ll dust off those old posts languishing in your archive to make them new and useful again.
Fair enough?
By the way, if you are just getting started with a blog I’ll answer your problem with an article on how to write your first blog post soon.
In the meantime you can “Like” us here and/or follow our updates on The Blog Marketing Bible…
FYI, I have personally used each and every tip listed below, and most I use on a regular basis. Ok, in no particular order those 7 tips are:
- edit to update (new image, answer comments in the article, etc.)
- create a new c2a and/or link to a new page
- share on your fb page again if message still relavent
- rewrite and post on hubpages
- write a part 2 or “updated” version as a new post
- create a new “format” of the article, for example an faq, top 10 list, etc.
- create a new modality, as in an audio interview, audio, or video w/ intro text
Let’s dig a bit deeper, shall we?
Edit to Update
Why edit older content on your blog site?
Well, for a couple of reasons. First, when you edit and update your “old” content the search engines pick it up again, as if it were new. That’s a good thing.
Secondly, people do click on “categories” listed on blogs as a quick way to find content that they are looking for.
So updating your post keeps the content fresh and more accurate. Plus, you can incorporate feedback or edit the content to make your message a bit more clear.
Create New Links
Okay, strictly speaking this tip is not really an idea for a new blog post.
Rather, it’s how to repurpose older content to serve a useful function for your blog.
In this case, it’s about “interlinking.”
If you are not familiar with the term and why it’s so important for you from a SEO standpoint, feel free to “Like” us and leave a comment. Or leave a comment here on the site and I’ll answer you personally…
As I was saying, since you last wrote your blog post you may have added more pages on your site, more content that requires links. So by editing older posts buried deep in your archives they can serve a purpose by linking (with a keyword, of course) to your new page(s) on your blog.
Now, it doesn’t matter if anyone actually visits your old content and clicks on the link.
It only matters that the google-bots pick up your link (an SEO strategy).
Share on Facebook
Okay, this one is super easy to implement, provided you already set up a facebook page.
Take your old content and “share” it on your FB page by using the “link” feature of status updates. Put a couple of intro sentences to the link and that’s it.
What can happen from doing this?
Well, how about new folks in your network, traffic to your site by following the link. And who knows, if your shared link generates some comments you might have more ideas for blog posts by answering their questions or writing a quick FAQ type article.
Rewrite to Repost
This strategy is great… provided you use it the right way.
The biggest mistake people make online is trying to repost the exact same content over and over again.
Wrong!
Listen, it’s not hard to use your older post and rewrite it from a fresh perspective, possibly using different language altogether. Simply say what you need to say, even in the same order. Just be sure to change the language.
Then you can repost on article marketing sites like hubpages or ezinearticles.com.
Write a Part 2 or Updated Version
Here’s a quick tip for generating a new blog post.
Use one of your older post as inspiration for a part 2 type article. For example, perhaps since you last wrote the post you have more information, or more to say on the topic.
Or perhaps you have a different angle you’d like to take on the article, such as “that was then, but this is now.”
Create a New “Format”
Okay, up until recently I never used this format. Then I came across some guy who shared 7 different ways to write an article, from “tell a story” to “take the opposite viewpoint.”
Well, using his overview as an inspiration I used this technique for one of my older posts.
The outcome?
How about a new article in 17 minutes.
I simply review the original article, then created a quick “case study” that supported the points raised in the article. I could have done FAQ type article as well, or one that was a “top ten things to consider” type article.
Actually, this article is sort of like a 7 tips you can use, except I’ve written WAY TOO MUCH for each point.
One tip (a bonus one if you will) would be to write a quick 250 word post listing 10 things someone can do. Then turn it into a series and write 10 posts explaining each point in detail.
Now you went from 1 post to basically 12 (1 for the top 10 list, and then 10 to explain each point).
Create a New “Modality”
This one is PERFECT for people who find writing or typing a challenge.
Here’s what you do. Have a friend call you on the phone (or in person) to interview you, FAQ style, after reading your old blog post. Just give you friend the list of questions or whatever points you want to cover, and then answer his or her questions.
Now you have an audio (be sure to record it!) which you can post as is, or make a transcript to post.
The same works for video.
Remember, a post doesn’t have to be 100% text. In the case of audio or video, use a compelling headline and some intro text (SEO food) and you’ll be good to go…
Are You Ready for Expert Guidance?
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Call us to schedule a no-strings-attached phone consultation.
That’s it.
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And if it makes sense for the both of us to pursue a working relationship, we’ll decide together.
We can help you with a wide range of services, such as web content writing services and article marketing services (to name a few).
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