Mastering Content Curation

In the ever-evolving world of social media, the greatest daily challenge lies in feeding the insatiable "Content Monster." For this, we must embrace two essential approaches: content creation and content curation.

Content Creation: A Sustained Struggle

Content creation demands the continuous generation of long-form posts, captivating images, or engaging videos. However, maintaining this pace, creating high-quality content day in and day out, can be a Herculean task and not always practical.

Content Curation: The Smart Approach

Content curation is the art of discovering valuable content produced by others, summarizing it, and sharing it with your audience. It's a win-win for all involved: you need fresh content, creators yearn for more traffic, and consumers require filters to manage the overwhelming flow of information.

Let’s explore how you can excel at content curation, thereby satisfying the voracious Content Monster.

Make a Plan

While elaborate strategic planning isn't a necessity, having a clear, tactical plan is essential. In a nutshell:

1. Identify your path to profitability.
2. Understand your target audience and what they want to read.
3. Deliver what your audience craves, not just what you wish they did.

Use an Editorial Calendar

An editorial calendar helps you stay organized. Tools like Excel, Google Docs, HubSpot, Buffer, Sprout Social, and Hootsuite can assist in content planning, ensuring a consistent stream of posts.

Pass the Reshare Test

The ultimate measure of your content's success is whether people are willing to reshare it. Resharing is a profound compliment as it involves putting one's reputation on the line by endorsing your content.

Reshare Your Pals' Posts

Remember why you follow others – it's usually because of the high-quality content they share. So, don't hesitate to reshare the gems you discover in your network. If you're not resharing often, it might be time to rethink your follows.

Piggyback on Curation and Aggregation Services

Leverage curation and aggregation services like Alltop, The Big Picture, Buffer, Feedly, Futurity, Google Scholar, Holy Kaw, Klout, NPR, Reddit, SmartBrief, StumbleUpon, TED, and more to find top-quality content for your audience.

Share What's Already Popular

It's not cheating to share what's already popular, and it can significantly boost your curation efforts. Platforms like Most-Popular.alltop, What's Hot on Google, Trending Topics on Facebook, Popular Pins on Pinterest, and Evergreen Topics offer a wealth of popular content to share.

Use Lists, Circles, Communities, and Groups

Lists (Twitter and Facebook), circles (Google+), communities (Google+), and groups (Facebook and LinkedIn) provide excellent content sources. Use public lists, circles, and communities to discover and share valuable content.

Create a Collaborative Pinterest Board

Collaborative Pinterest boards are a goldmine for content curation. When you join or create one with discerning curators, you gain access to a trove of high-quality content.

Keep a Running List

As you discover potential content during your daily activities, keep a running list for future sharing. Tools like Tumblr, Google+ circles, or private Pinterest boards can help you manage these leads effectively.

Seize the (Holi)Day

Timed posts for holidays and popular events can significantly boost your content curation. Be sure to align your content with major holidays and events for maximum impact.

Add RSS Feeds

Utilize the RSS feeds of your favorite blogs and websites in platforms like Buffer, Sprout Social, or Hootsuite to pre-populate your content queue. This ensures a steady stream of curated posts.

Take Advantage of User-Generated Content

Don't miss out on the opportunity to share user-generated content, especially photos of your products and services. These posts not only build social proof but also foster positive connections with your audience.

In conclusion, mastering content curation is a smart and strategic approach to social media success. By consistently delivering valuable and relevant content to your audience, you can successfully tame the Content Monster and keep your followers engaged.