Content curation has been around for a while, but many bloggers don’t realize the advantages or benefits it offers. This strategy allows you to post more often with less work and less time.
This form of marketing comes in various forms throughout the internet. Of those variations there is one common thread: content curation is related to article marketing. You can think of it as one of the strategies under the content marketing umbrella, the same as content aggregation.
If you’re wondering whether content aggregation and content curation are the same, they’re not. A Forbes article by Susan Gunelius explains that the primary difference between the two is that content curation offers “the human element.”
What does this mean?
Well, content aggregation is simply finding and linking to hot topics, trends, and other news or information worthy content from your site. Some sites use all sorts of topics and others use content that is focused on their platform.
Content curation on the other hand offers more. While linking to the information source, those using this strategy add their own spin on the information, or enhance it with personal experience or additional information on the topic.
The information used for content curation is targeted and so is the audience it’s prepared for. As an example, if you have a health site on alternative medicine and alternative health options you would search for and use information/content on that topic or niche. You obviously wouldn’t use sports content on your site. It’s treated as any other niche marketing strategy – it must be focused to your platform or brand.
Content curation offers a broader view and understanding of a particular topic by providing your own input, along with that of the source content.
Now on to the five reasons you should use this blogging strategy.
5 Benefits to Content Curation that will Boost Your Blogging Efforts
1. Simply put and most importantly, it brings your readers more ‘bang’ for their stop at your site. Rather than offering a single view of a topic, or one site’s experience, you offer your reader the world and a broader information experience.
The reader will appreciate having more information to work with and this will motivate him to appreciate and trust you. That’s the beginning of a great relationship.
2. It’s a source of ideas for your blogging. Find current trends, hot topics, and new information in your niche. The content is already there, you simply add your spin on it in a paragraph or two and voila, you have new a new post.
3. It’s a time saver. Using tools like Google Alerts, you can quickly find relevant information to blog about. And, like ‘number two’ above, it’s ready made content you simply add to.
4. It can support or enhance your own blog posts, adding more value. Even if you write effective and engaging articles, the reader will find it helpful if you supplement it with additional information.
5. Linking to quality sites is an effective search engine strategy. When you link to a site that ranks high with Google, you’re noticed. It can help bring more traffic to your site and help convert visitors into subscribers. And, that’s what online marketing is all about, the ‘golden’ list.
Content curation will boost your blogging efforts. You don’t have to use it for every post, but you can switch it up a bit and offer your reader something extra.
So, why not give it a try and add it to your existing content marketing strategies.
To see this strategy in action, check out:
Email Marketing – New Canadian Anti-Spam Law May Affect You
Reference:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2012/07/05/5-ways-to-use-content-curation-for-marketing-and-tools-to-do-it/
P.S. If you like this post, please share it!
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11 comments:
I have to admit to being somewhat confused by these two terms and how they directly affect MY blogging strategy. Are you saying we should have more links to outside sites to boost our contacts? Sorry, it could be that my brain is still moggy from the last two months of chaos.
I never thought of my SharingwithWriters newsletter like this, but it is--a little. I read stuff (a huge variety of stuff!), see how it applies to writing and publishing, add my spin a little like a columnist, and put it on my newsletter. Sometimes! In addition to encouraging my subscribers to do the same thing and sending me their articles or resources. I mean, nothing in the world is ever really new, is it? and Sharing is a great way to promote in a caring way.
If you would like to subscribe to my newsletter and get my little booklet on wordtrippers, you'll find a subscription form on about every page of my Web site, http://howtodoitfrugally.com.
PS: I started a Pinterest board called Tips for Writers that I can post all your most helpful blog posts on, Karen. Maybe it's an idea you could pass along to your fellow bloggers.
Thanks for bringing this topic to our attention, Karen. Like Shirley, I need to study this to truly understand it. Carolyn's comments are very helpful, too. Thanks to you both!
Shirley, I'm sorry I didn't make it clearer. As an example, suppose you wanted to use this article on your website, but you weren't sure if reprints were allowed. You would write a brief lead-in to the article top with your own ideas on it and then link to this article.
The example article above in the post is helpful.
Hope this makes a bit more sense.
Carolyn, the problem with using curation in your newsletter is you'll be sending the traffic to another website.
When it's done from your own blog site it does four things:
1. Gives you content to use on your own site (that you don't have to write yourself), bringing traffic to your site.
2. May get backlinks from the source content (the site you're linking to).
3. Gives your readers a broader reading experience
4. Adds to your authority.
While it's great sharing with your readers and it does build your authority, curation is a great marketing tool when used in your blog posts.
Fixed the above sentence: While it's great sharing with your readers through your newsletter and it does build your authority, curation is a great marketing tool when used in your blog posts.
Linda, in the future I have to make sure I write with more explanation. Curation is simply using someone's post by writing a little introduction to it with your own input and the linking to it.
It's just another element to add your blog post formats. Mixing things up.
Carolyn, that's a great idea. I've been neglecting Pinterest, need to add it back in to my SMM mix.
Maybe I'll do a post on it.
Great article, Karen. It certainly is an excellent way to expand your knowledge base, as well as your reach, while giving your readers pre-explored resources. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Deb. Curation really does have lots of benefits.
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