The Smartest Way to Everything: Create Once, Use Multiple Times
The Smartest Way to Everything: Create Once, Use Multiple Times
Back in the day, making money often meant guarding knowledge that others didn’t have. You’d take pride in repeating the same thing over and over to those who sought your expertise. But times have changed. In this modern age, clinging to that model doesn’t just lose you money—it also frustrates your audience.
Free yourself. Record your knowledge once, whether through a video, an article, or a resource, and let the world use it hundreds, thousands, or even millions of times. By planning content that’s reusable, you multiply its value and your impact. This approach is like having a superpower, creating immense value for your audience and yourself. It represents a new, more sustainable way of thinking—one that benefits everyone involved.
The Value of Reusable Content
The worth of your content is determined by two things:
How often it’s used: A single piece of high-quality content can serve as a resource for countless people.
How much value it delivers: Content that genuinely helps your audience amplifies its impact and creates opportunities for you.
Take this article as an example. I wrote it once, and I’ll share it repeatedly, just like every other article on alistairscale.com. This approach saves me hours of work while consistently delivering value to readers. In turn, this frees up my time to focus on higher-value activities, like providing tailored advice and helping people make better decisions.
Goodbye to Traditional Expertise
Gone are the days when being an expert meant keeping information locked away. Today, no one cares about the title of “expert” if your knowledge isn’t accessible. What matters is the impact you create—the number of lives or businesses you improve.
Technology makes this possible. Think about it: What could you create that serves as a cornerstone for your team or audience? Whether it’s a how-to guide, a sales pitch video, or onboarding documentation, focus on creating something that:
Is designed to be used repeatedly.
Serves a specific purpose.
Saves time for everyone involved.
For example, if you’re a salesperson, you might create a video pitching your product. If you’re a business leader, you might document a better process for your team. By contributing to this reusable “matrix” of knowledge, you empower others to take action without constantly relying on you.
The Age of Prompts, Not the Knowledge Economy
We’re no longer in the era of hoarded knowledge. Instead, we’ve entered the age of prompts, where the right question or resource can unlock solutions instantly. The most successful individuals and businesses understand this and embrace creating once for multiple uses. It’s energy-efficient, sustainable, and forward-thinking.
A Long-Term Mindset
Think about how you buy products. Wouldn’t you prefer to buy something once and use it for years? Apply this same principle to your content and your work. Opt for long-term value. It’s how investors think, and it’s how you win in the modern world.
Don’t Forget to Live
While efficiency and impact are important, so is your happiness. Take time to enjoy life. After all, the smartest systems allow us to free up time for what truly matters.
I hope this helped. Now go create something once, and watch it multiply your value.
