Curation for Content Marketing Success: Engage Your Audience

Thanks to technology, information today is abundant, and your audience’s attention spans are fleeting. Sadly, it means it’s no longer enough to pump out tons of content relevant to your niche. 

No matter what, your content must resonate with the audience to keep them engaged. 

As the volume of online content continues to explode, consumers are overwhelmed by choices. They crave curated, relevant, and valuable content that speaks directly to their needs and interests.

This is where content curation comes in. 

It allows you to sift through the digital noise, discover hidden gems, and present a carefully curated selection that engages, educates, and entertains your audience. And there are great rewards for doing it, too.

In fact, a recent study shows that more than 85% of marketers believe that curating content has helped them increase visibility and engagement with their audience. 

With all that in mind, this article discusses the role of content curation and how to use it to push your content marketing efforts to new levels. 

Content curation is the art of discovering, selecting, and sharing valuable and relevant content from the web to engage and inform your audience, enhancing your own brand’s credibility and authority in the process.

Why Content Curation Matters Now More Than Ever

With so much content available, consumers can easily feel overwhelmed. They’re looking for trusted voices to sift through the noise and present them with the best and most relevant information. Content curation helps do just that.

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Think of yourself as a museum curator. Just as they pick the finest pieces for an exhibition, your role in content curation is to select top-notch content that will resonate with your audience. Doing this not only offers them valuable insights but also saves them precious time.

Curation also positions you as a go-to source for relevant industry information. When you consistently curate and share high-quality content, you’re signaling to your audience that you’re an expert in your niche. It’s a way of telling them that you’re tuned into the industry’s heartbeat and can discern what’s truly worth their time.

Proven Strategies for Effective Content Curation

Curating content isn’t just about sharing relevant stories; it’s an art that requires strategy. So, here are some tried-and-true methods to make your content curation more effective:

How to Source Content

• Use tools and platforms. There are numerous tools out there,  such as Scoop.it, which are designed to help you discover fresh and relevant content. With minimal effort, they can streamline your search and keep everything organized. 

• Set up alerts. Google Alerts or Mention can notify you when specific topics or keywords pop up online. This way, you’re always in the loop about the latest discussions or trends related to your industry.

• Engage with thought leaders. Follow industry influencers on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn. They often share valuable insights and content, which you can then ‘recycle’ and tailor to the needs of your own audience.

How to Select Content

• Relevance is key. Always ask, “Is this relevant to my audience?” If the content doesn’t align with their interests or needs, it’s best to skip it.

• Prioritize quality. It’s tempting to share viral content, but clicks and views don’t guarantee the content is actually good enough for your platform. Ensure that the content is well-researched, well-written, and offers genuine value.

• Avoid conflicting messages. Be cautious about sharing content that might contradict your brand’s values or message. Consistency in messaging helps in building trust.

Deliver Like a Pro

• Use the right tools. Not all content fits every platform, which means special tools are sometimes needed. This is especially common in written content, where creators and marketers often struggle to do things like convert PDF to Word or create infographics. New solutions pop up every day, so be patient when assembling your tech stack for curation. 

• Add your own flavor. Don’t be a parrot. When sharing curated content, add a personal touch. Whether it’s a brief commentary, a question, or your perspective, this makes the content feel more unique and aligned with your brand. 

• Timing matters. Pay attention to when your audience is most active. Sharing content during peak engagement times can increase its visibility and impact.

Engage and Interact

• Encourage discussions. Use curated content as a conversation starter. Ask your audience for their opinions or insights. This not only boosts engagement but can also provide valuable feedback.
• Use grassroots marketing techniques. If your content is relevant to a particular niche or community, you can always share it in a subtle, non-salesy manner. But be careful, as most people deem such pitches as disingenuous. 

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Best Practices in Content Curation

Here are some of the best practices to follow to curate winning content:

• Give proper credit. Always mention the original source or author when you share their content. Tagging or mentioning the original creators is not only ethical but can also foster positive relationships within your industry.

• Balance curated with original content. Mix in your own content with the curated pieces. This showcases both your expertise and the value you find in others’ work.

• Ensure relevance. Before sharing, consider if the content aligns with your audience’s interests and your brand’s theme. Share what matters most to them.

• Add context. When sharing, offer a brief introduction or commentary. This helps your audience understand the significance of the curated piece.

• Avoid over-curation. Be selective in what you share. Aim for quality over quantity to avoid overwhelming your audience.

• Engage with your audience. Encourage feedback and discussions around the curated content. This fosters a deeper connection and understanding of their preferences.

• Stay updated with reliable sources. The digital landscape changes often. Regularly update your list of sources to ensure you’re curating from current and credible platforms.

Benefits of Content Curation

• Positions you as an industry thought leader. Studies show that 82% of marketers have incorporated content curation into their marketing approach, both to establish themselves as industry experts and to strengthen their bond with their audience.

• Expands your reach. When you curate content from different creators or brands and share it, there’s a good chance they’ll notice and reciprocate. This can introduce your brand to a wider audience.

• Builds trust with your audience. By consistently offering high-quality, relevant content, you become a reliable source of information. Over time, your audience will trust you more because they know you filter out the noise and only deliver value.

• Helps fill content gaps. You might not always have fresh content ready. Curation helps fill those gaps, ensuring your audience always has something valuable to consume from your platform.

• Encourages you to stay updated. The act of curating forces you to stay updated with industry trends and news. This not only benefits your audience but also ensures you remain informed and relevant.

Conclusion

If you’re new to content curation, it might feel like charting a course through uncharted waters. But with the right mindset and tools, you can turn these challenges into opportunities.

It’s not just about keeping up with the latest trends or being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about truly understanding and connecting with your audience. As you continue on this journey, prioritize authenticity and genuine engagement over sheer volume. 

Every piece of content, every interaction, is a chance to build trust and foster a deeper relationship. So, always aim for quality, be open to feedback, and remember: it’s the value and connection you offer that will set you apart.