Using AI to Repurpose Faster — Content Machine: Create, Repurpose & Distribute

Most people use AI wrong for repurposing. They paste content, hit “generate,” and wonder why the output sounds robotic.

AI doesn’t replace your voice — it amplifies it. But only if you use it as an accelerator, not an autopilot.

The 10/80/10 Rule

Nicolas Cole’s framework for AI content creation:

You do 10%: The brief, the outline, the context, the direction. AI does 80%: The heavy lifting, the draft, the volume. You do the final 10%: The polish, the personality, the “this actually sounds like me” pass.

Most people skip the first and last 10%. That’s why their AI content reads like generic corporate slop.

Your Brief Must Include

Format: What exactly do you want? (5 LinkedIn posts, 1 email, 3 tweets)
Audience: Who is this for?
Tone: How should it sound?
Key Points: What must be included?
What to Avoid: What doesn’t work for your brand?

Specific Prompts That Work

I'm going to give you a transcript from my course.

Extract the 5 most shareable insights and turn each into a standalone social post.

Rules:
- Start with a hook that stops scrolling
- Use short sentences. Fragments are fine.
- Include one specific example from the transcript
- End with a question that invites engagement
- No hashtags
- Tone: conversational, direct, no fluff

Here's the transcript:
[PASTE TRANSCRIPT]

Turn this transcript into an email newsletter for my list.

Structure:
- Subject line options: 5, ranging from curious to direct
- Opening: Start with a story or surprising statement
- Body: 3-5 key points with mini-examples
- Closing: One clear takeaway + question to reply to

Tone: Like a smart friend sharing something they learned
Length: 800-1000 words

[PASTE TRANSCRIPT]

One Piece → Multiple Formats

Create a content package from this piece:
1. One LinkedIn post (200 words, story-led)
2. Three tweets (each standalone)
3. One short-form video script (60 seconds)
4. One email subject line and opening paragraph

Core idea stays consistent, but each piece feels native to its platform.

[PASTE CONTENT]

The Human Edit (Non-Negotiable)

What to fix:

Rewrite every hook. AI writes generic hooks. Yours is the only thing that matters.
Kill the metaphors. AI loves metaphors, and 90% are cringe.
Add personality. Where would you joke? Admit something vulnerable?
Cut the hedging. “Arguably” and “it’s worth noting” — cut it.
Read it out loud. If you wouldn’t say it, don’t publish it.

Platform-Specific Agents

Create a “role” for each platform:

You are a LinkedIn content strategist specializing in B2B thought leadership.
You never use: hashtags, "Excited to announce" language, generic advice.
You favor: stories, specificity, controversy, white space.
Maximum 150 words per post.

Save these as system prompts. Every repurpose job starts from a platform-expert baseline.

AI Is the Engine, You’re the Driver

Feed AI your existing content. It generates variations you’d never think of. Edit until it sounds like you. Distribute everywhere.

For deeper AI workflows, see Use AI to Build Faster.

Your Assignment: Take one piece of content. Run it through the 10/80/10 process. Compare the AI drafts to your edits. That gap is where your voice lives.