So much time and effort goes into writing a manuscript and producing a book that is marketable and appealing to readers, so why not find a way to repurpose this valuable content?
Books are only the beginning of the content possibilities that exist for authors because a book is merely a container for their intellectual property. The opportunities for transforming a single work into multiple assets are practically endless. Whether fiction or nonfiction, a book’s content can be repackaged across many platforms, in various formats, and through different forms of media to make the most profitable and successful use of the creative investment. Authors have the unique ability to develop an entire ecosystem of content that can grow their brand, build their audience, and generate new income streams.
Authors can repurpose their content by creating a limited, hardcover edition such as a special anniversary edition, bonus content edition, or exclusive cover edition. This will excite your current followers while also capturing new readers.
If you believe your book will resonate with the aging population or with those with vision impairments, you may want to consider creating a large print edition of your book. This will allow you to reach a broader audience.
If you are comfortable with online platforms and technology, creating an eBook can cost you little to nothing up front. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and IngramSpark are among the most popular DIY digital publishing options. Publishing an eBook is an excellent way to expand your distribution, reach new readers, and improve your online discoverability.
Audiobooks require a little more effort and upfront money because of the production that is involved with creating high quality audio files. You can record the audio yourself, or hire voiceover talent to record the audio for you. Authors can choose between several online platforms for assistance with the production and distribution of an audiobook, and there are even more budget-friendly AI solutions available now.
You can give a sneak peek of your work by sharing your favorite quotes or short excerpts from your writing. These can be used as teasers for fiction books, or as bits of information or inspiration for nonfiction books. When paired with an eye-catching photo or graphic, these posts can garner a lot of engagement and interest.
In-person book events can provide the perfect opportunity to read an excerpt or scene from your book, and children’s authors may be able to read an entire picture book if time allows. Authors can also utilize video to record readings and share on platforms such as YouTube, and there are even channels dedicated to this type of content like KidTimeStoryTime.
With the right skills and content planning, authors can create their own video series centered on their book’s topic or themes, their area of expertise, or their writing knowledge and journey. These long-form videos can be shared through platforms like YouTube and Twitch.
With the right skills and content planning, authors can create their own podcast series centered on their book’s topic or themes, their area of expertise, or their writing knowledge and journey. These audio episodes can be distributed though platforms like Spotify, Buzzsprout, and Apple Podcasts.
There are many ways authors can repurpose their valuable content when there is an educational or transformational element. You can expand your content into a structured course or workshop, breaking down your book’s lessons into modules with worksheets, videos, and quizzes. Platforms like Teachable and Kajabi let you monetize your knowledge while offering value to your followers.
Authors can adapt their book’s core messages to a presentation that focuses on a compelling premise or "hook". This could be a deep dive into one chapter's subject, or the central problem your book helps solve. It’s a great way to engage directly with followers, answer questions, and promote the book or other services.
Offering to speak about your topic, themes, or messages at your local bookstores, libraries, schools, churches, and relevant organizations can be very effective in connecting with potential readers. You can also apply to speak at conferences and reach out to podcasters and vloggers for guest-speaking opportunities.
Authors that write a book that complements a business or service offering can also offer coaching or consulting related to their area of expertise. The book can help drive people to the business, or, the book can be a part of the coaching or consulting service.
Nonfiction authors can benefit from creating materials that complement their books and that can be sold along-side their books. This can include workbooks that step readers through a process, or even a journal where readers record their experiences, thoughts, and feelings.
One way to stand out is to produce promotional goods that complement your author brand or books. Swag (“stuff we all get”) are typically items an author gives away for free or with purchase, while merchandise includes items an author sells alongside their book or books. Quotes, character art, and more can be used on these items.
Authors can serialize a book by releasing it in installments on online platforms like Substack or Wattpad, or by hosting it on their own website. This can create excitement and anticipation around your work, and even provide the opportunity to monetize.
Authors can reach out to established bloggers related to their book’s topics, genres, or themes, and see if they will accept guest posts on their blog. Another option is pitching article ideas to local newspapers and magazines. Getting published can bring credibility and awareness to your work.
Adding a blog to your website on topics that interest you and your target audience is an excellent way to stay relevant and visible. This content can include chapters or topics from your book, writing tips, industry news, or personal stories. The key to an effective blog is to consistently release engaging content to your followers.
To entice people to sign up for your newsletter, you can offer something of value in exchange for their email address such as a free, digital download. Fiction authors can provide a short story, character sketch, deleted chapter or scene, or helpful book club guide, while nonfiction authors can provide downloadable lists, assessments, or worksheets related to their book’s topic.
An email newsletter can be a very powerful tool for authors wanting to create awareness for their work, build a loyal following, and share exclusive content with their readers. Every email you send to followers should offer value in the form of education, inspiration, or entertainment, and some of this content can come from your book.
Nonfiction authors can design a series of emails that breakdown their book’s content into short, actionable lessons delivered over several days or weeks. Email courses keep your followers engaged and help you build your subscriber list for future launches.
Paid advertising on platforms like Amazon, Facebook, and book-specific promotional sites like BookBub can greatly increase your book’s visibility. Just a small budget can go a long way in reaching a targeted audience. Powerful quotes or short excerpts from your book can be used in the ad copy to entice potential readers to want to learn more.
Nonfiction authors can condense key data, steps, or takeaways from their book and create infographics. These are highly shareable, visually engaging, and perfect for platforms like Pinterest, LinkedIn, presentations, or blog posts that need a visual boost.
If you believe your book will resonate with readers in non-English speaking countries, you may want to consider getting your book translated into other languages by a professional. These editions will allow you to tap into new audiences.
Many authors are now creating short form video content such as book trailers, tutorials, or author vlogs. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok offer opportunities to connect with readers through short-form video. This content can include quotes or excerpts from your book and be inspiring, informative, or even just for fun.
You’ve likely done some serious research for your book and may have even travelled to get up close and personal with your book’s setting or subject matter. Be sure to share photos along with any travel tips, resources, and interesting or fun facts you’ve learned.
Most writers have way more content than what gets published in the final version of a book. Make your followers feel special by sharing exclusive deleted scenes, cut chapters, or even short pieces that have been created as a spin-off. Nonfiction authors can turn exercises, steps, or tips into printable planners, checklists, or templates.
Platforms such as Patreon, Substack, and YouTube allow authors to offer content directly to their dedicated followers in exchange for a small, monthly subscription fee. The content can include book-related bonus material such as short stories or deleted scenes, serialized chapters, poetry, essays, or exclusive videos, podcasts, and Q&A sessions with fans.
Nonfiction authors can condense a portion of their book into a “Quick Start Guide” or “Beginner’s Handbook.” This shorter, more actionable content will appeal to readers who want fast results, and it often leads them to purchase the full book.
If your content includes success stories or lessons learned, reframe them into case studies for your website or for speaking engagements. Real-life examples and testimonials can increase credibility and attract new readers, clients, or collaborations.
If your book’s content has the potential to be beneficial in many different industries or capacities, you may want to consider licensing the content. This allows businesses, educators, or organizations to use your content in exchange for a licensing fee. For example, businesses may benefit from using your content in their training materials.
For children’s authors, especially, this can be a great way to repurpose illustrations from your book, as long as you own the rights to the illustrations. Children love the opportunity to express their creativity with their favorite characters and stories.
When developing a more complex world for novels such as fantasy and science fiction, it’s important to keep track of all of the details so you can maintain consistency throughout your story or series. This can be tracked in a notebook, binder, or file folder, and later turned into a complementary world-building book where you share your process and ideas with readers.
For authors that create a complex world or plot for their story, an adaptation into a graphic novel or comic book may make sense. This involves rewriting the prose into a visual script, focusing on key scenes and dialogue, and collaborating with an illustrator to translate the narrative into art. A graphic novel or comic book can expose you to new audiences.
Audio dramas are continuing to increase in popularity in the podcasting world. Adapting a novel into an audio drama involves translating the prose to a spoken format, focusing on dialogue that reveals character and advances the plot, and using audio cues and sound design to replace visual descriptions. Audio dramas can be distributed through platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Both fiction and nonfiction authors can consider turning their books into an interactive game. There are board games that have fixed rules and a clear winner/loser, and there are role-playing games (RPGs) that are more open-ended, focusing on collaborative storytelling and player imagination.
While many of these ideas might appeal to you, we don’t recommend trying to execute on all of them; just highlight a few that make the most sense for your content, target audience, skillset, and budget. Whether you start with a digital download, special edition book, or a podcast, every piece of content you repurpose becomes another opportunity to increase your discoverability and ultimately, your revenue. Readers are content consumers, looking for options and variety in how they ingest information and entertainment. The key is to view your book not as a finished product, but as the foundation of an innovative business that delivers content in ways that create value and engagement.
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