The lean content marketing formula: how to create more with less

Hey friend, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the content treadmill, this one’s for you.

You’ve got limited hours, maybe a tiny team (or no team at all), and a to-do list that’s somehow growing faster than your caffeine intake. I see you. This is me too.

The good news? You don’t need to be everywhere. You don’t need more content. You need smarter content.

Let’s talk about the lean content marketing formula: how to create less and still show up like a boss.

What is lean content marketing, really?

Lean content marketing is about doing more with less, without sacrificing value.

It’s not about cutting corners; it’s about cutting the fluff.

When you’re a solo marketer (or wearing all the hats in a small team), the traditional “post 3x per day, show up on every platform, create fresh content weekly” advice doesn’t just feel impossible — it is.

Lean content means:

• Starting with one strong piece of content
• Repurposing it into multiple assets
• Distributing it where it makes the most impact

And yes, I absolutely use AI to speed this up (but we’ll get to that).

The formula: core > slice > scale

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: core

Start with one high-value piece of content.

Think blog post, webinar, internal guide, or even a killer FAQ response.

Pick something evergreen or juicy enough to break apart.

Step 2: slice

This is where the magic happens.

You slice that content into multiple smaller assets:

• Pull quotes → Social posts
• Key stats → Infographics
• Section summaries → LinkedIn carousels
• Main takeaways → Email newsletters
• Video clips → Reels or TikToks

✨ Bonus: I use ChatGPT to help me brainstorm, outline, and summarise content across tones and platforms. It’s like having a junior content assistant on standby 24/7.

Step 3: scale

Now, get that content working.

• Schedule it out
• Reshare on different platforms
• Use tools like Notion, Buffer, or Canva to organise, design, and post

Remember: You don’t need to go viral — you need to stay visible.

Real talk: what tools actually help?

I’m an AI enthusiast, but only when it serves the strategy. Here’s what’s in my lean content toolkit:

• ChatGPT – Drafting, summarising, reframing
• Grammarly Pro – Polishing tone and clarity
• Google Sheet – My content HQ*
• Clipchamp – Audio and video slicing
• Canva – Quick, gorgeous visuals

I never use AI to replace my voice, but it helps me get to the first draft faster.

*You can take the girl away from Excel, but you can’t take Excel away from the girl.

What this looks like in action

Here’s an example from a recent project.

We had an internal FAQ doc that answered a common client question. Instead of letting it sit there collecting dust, I turned it into:

• A blog post
• Two LinkedIn posts
• One email
• A short Loom explainer
• A Canva graphic for socials
• A slide for our onboarding deck

All from one source. Total time? About two hours with AI helping me fast-track the formatting and draft structure.

Your first step toward lean content

Here’s where I want you to start:

Open your Google Drive, email folders, or whatever content inventory you use.

Look for one useful piece of content you’ve already created.

Then ask: How else could I use this?

Think format. Think platform. Think audience.

One last thing…

You don’t need to chase trends.

You don’t need to be on every platform.

You definitely don’t need to burn out trying to keep up.

You already have enough content. You just need to use it better.

So go ahead and create less. Show up more. And give yourself the gift of breathing room.

P.S. Want my plug-and-play content repurposing workflow? I’m putting together a free template, drop your email here and I’ll send it your way.