If you’re a YouTube creator or influencer, chances are you’re already sitting on a goldmine of content. Every video you publish contains ideas, insights, and commentary that could perform just as well – if not better – in written form.
Repurposing video content into articles is one of the most effective ways to expand your reach beyond YouTube and tap into entirely new audiences on platforms like Substack, Medium, Reddit, and social media. With the help of AI tools, the process has never been easier. Here are 4 simple steps.
Step One: Access Your YouTube Transcript
Getting your transcript is straightforward and doesn’t require any extra software. Simply head to YouTube Studio, select one of your published videos, and click Details.
On the right-hand side, you’ll see an option for Subtitles. This section contains the full captions for your video, which effectively serve as a ready-made transcript.
From here, select the entire transcript and copy it into a document. Label it clearly – for example, “YouTube Transcript” – so you can easily reference it later. This raw text will form the foundation of your article.
Step Two: Create a Simple AI Prompt
Next, you’ll want to develop a prompt for an AI writing tool such as ChatGPT. This doesn’t need to be complicated. A basic but effective prompt might ask the AI to turn your transcript into a 500–700 word article, maintain your tone of voice, preserve any direct quotes, and include relevant facts or sources where appropriate.
You can also ask the AI to suggest engaging titles and subheadings to improve readability and search performance. While more advanced prompts can deliver even more refined results, even a simple instruction set can produce surprisingly strong content.
| Prompt for Substack |
| Using the style, tone, and structure of my previous article (link/reference provided), convert the following YouTube transcript into a Substack-ready post. Keep my voice and writing style consistent with the referenced article. Preserve any direct quotes exactly as spoken. Edit for clarity and flow while keeping the original meaning intact. Where relevant, add light context or supporting references without changing intent. Format the output for Substack with a compelling headline, short paragraphs, and clear subheadings. Transcript: [Paste transcript below] |
| Prompt for Substack |
| Using the tone, voice, and pacing of my previous article (link/reference provided), rewrite the following YouTube transcript as a Medium article. Maintain my original perspective and replicate the writing style of the referenced piece. Keep all direct quotes exactly as spoken. Edit for clarity, readability, and narrative flow without changing meaning. Lightly enhance structure with a strong opening hook, clear subheadings, and a concise conclusion suited to Medium readers. Where appropriate, add minimal context or references, but avoid over-optimisation or promotional language. Transcript: [Paste transcript below] |
| Prompt for Reddit (NB. There is no denying that Reddit is a cesspit. This said it ranks really well on google and AI reads a lot of it- too much in fact. So if you want to disseminate ideas you may want to be on there) |
| Prompt: Rewrite the following YouTube transcript into a Reddit post that feels natural, conversational, and forum-appropriate. Match the tone and viewpoint of my previous article (link/reference provided), but simplify the language so it sounds like a real person starting a discussion rather than publishing an article. Keep any direct quotes exactly as spoken, but only include them where they genuinely add value to the discussion. Focus on sharing an experience, insight, or lesson rather than “teaching” or marketing. Avoid sales language, calls to action, or polished blog formatting. Break content into short, readable paragraphs and write as if posting in a relevant subreddit. End with an open-ended question or discussion prompt to encourage replies and debate. Transcript: [Paste transcript below] |
Once you paste your prompt and transcript into the AI tool, it will transform your spoken content into a polished written article in seconds. Instead of starting from a blank page, you now have a structured draft based entirely on your original ideas.
From here, you can lightly edit for clarity, brand voice, or SEO optimisation before publishing on your chosen platform.
Step Four: Multiply Your Content Across Platforms
The real power of this approach lies in scalability. That same transcript can be repurposed into social media posts, pull-out quotes for Instagram graphics, newsletter content, or even prompts for AI-generated artwork that visually supports your message.
One YouTube video can quickly become an article, several social posts, and visual content – all without rewriting everything from scratch.
Final Thoughts
Repurposing YouTube transcripts is a smart, time-efficient way to extend the life of your content and ensure your ideas reach the people who need to hear them most. With AI tools and a simple workflow, creators and brands can amplify their message across multiple platforms with minimal effort.
If you found this guide helpful, take a moment to share it, subscribe, or comment – and discover how Boost Media Marketing helps great content travel further, faster.