Read These 5 Tips to Use Pre-Written Content and Take Back Your Time

Back in 2007, my ex-husband, but then-husband, bought a local scuba business. He hired the former owner to help with operations for 6 months. Our family was thrown into a family-owned local business lifestyle, which meant we had to wear all the hats in the business. It quickly took a toll on us with a newborn baby and a 7-year old. Two of the tasks that fell on my plate as VP of Marketing were website copy and the monthly newsletter. Each of these content pieces took time to research and write. That’s when I discovered done-for-you content, also known as PLR.

What is PLR?

PLR is private-label-rights, also known as commercial use or done-for-you content, articles, blog posts, classes, and other products. It is basically content that is created for you. 

It has a variety of forms from written to graphics to stock photos to actual products. You add your branding, style/tone of voice, and images to it.

How I Use Done-for-You Content

When I first discovered done-for-you content, I mainly just read it. The content had great marketing and sales tips that I needed in our newfound scuba business. While there was not any scuba related done-for-you content at the time, I incorporated the tips on how to use PLR to craft my newsletters. The result was a 35% increase in dive club attendance and we got a major National Geographic videographer to come speak at one of our events. The tips helped me realize that I could include other people’s content into my newsletter. 

Today, I use done-for-you content in my other sites’ blog posts. It helps me save a lot of time! Since we wear all the hats in our businesses, there are often 1 million and 1 things to do. Added with the complexity of organizing and maintaining a house, family, and life around work, our time can tick by quickly. Done-for-you content is one way to cut down on the amount of time it takes to run your business.

Here are some more examples of how you can use done-for-you content in your business:

• Blog posts
• Webinars
• Ebooks
• Website content
• Social media
• Marketing materials
• Journals
• Books
• Planners
• Opt-in reports
• Guest blogs
• Classes
• Workshops
• And more!

How to Use Pre-Written Content and Articles

The thought is that when you get done-for-you content, you just use it as-is. Many people are turned off by pre-written content because of this myth. They think that everyone will be posting the same stuff as them and they won’t be able to stand out. But that’s not the case. Here are a few tips to make your content unique to you!

1. Add a story 

As soon as you read the content you buy, start adding in stories that will help further explain what you are trying to communicate with your readers. If I notice a sentence that kind of leaves me hanging and makes me think there should be more explanation, I’ll write a brief story. It doesn’t have to be lengthy, even a paragraph or two will be good enough to give your readers a unique perspective that comes from you.

2. Add your own resources and tips

Another way you can make the content unique to you is to add in your own links to your blog posts or affiliate products you recommend. Then add a little information about what you recommend, why, and how it has worked for you. If you have a different resource from what the article may be suggesting, then add it into the content and remove the one you don’t want to recommend.

You can also add your own tips you think your reader needs to know about in order to succeed. If you have a tip around the information the content talks about, this can be helpful for your reader to know so add it in.

3. Add your own opinions

Everyone on Facebook has an opinion, right? You see them commenting opinions all the time. So add your opinions to your done-for-you content. Your unique perspective could just help your reader out! 

I recently saw a blog post that talked against using Tailwind for scheduling Pinterest posts and why. The proof was in the numbers! But it was very controversial to what so many other Pinterest users are saying right now to use Tailwind for scheduling. However, this lady’s opinion and the proof are very convincing to hear her out.

So if you have your own opinion about something, then add it in. Even if it is the same as everyone else’s, there are many readers who may just be convinced by reading your content.

4. Add your own images

Images of you are unique. The more you can add your own images, the more unique your content will be. Even if you are not able to add your own images, consider using a specific style in your brand. The best way to get a specific style for your brand in photos is by using Lightroom Presets.

The Lightroom app is free for your smartphone! And you can add the presets to it, change your photos in one-click. 

5. Add a printable

Another way to make your content unique to you is to sum up all of your content in a unique printable. You could create a checklist, for example, of the how-tos you recommend in your how-to or tutorial content. You could create a planner, a journal page with a prompt, or even add your content into an ebook. 

How Done-for-You Content Saves Time

Instead of racking your brain to pull out ideas, which according to Sarah McLachlan can be like squeezing blood from a turnip, you can use the content to generate ideas. I’ve often found that even just reading the titles of pre-written content packs help me organize my content.

If you only have about 15 minutes to spend writing content, here’s a step-by-step approach to using pre-written content:

1. Scan through the content to get a sense of what it is communicating. 
2. After reading it, then write a brief introduction to introduce the content in your own voice.
3. Write a concluding paragraph that sums up the content and also introduces the reader to your next step, which could be to opt into your email list or to buy a related product. You could stop here if you want to and add the content to your blog, newsletter, or wherever you plan to share it. If you want more tips to further customize it, read below.
4. Add in links to your related content on your blog or pages
5. Add in your own recommendations to products/services and a brief reason why you recommend it
6. Add an image to the article
7. Voila! Done! Now post the content. 

Get Started with Done-for-You Content

Excited to get started using pre-written content? I have a pack for you with an article, stock photos, and social media posts you can use to grow your business. Check it out and register for it below!