Not all website content is created equal. In fact, not all of your company website content has to be created by you.
Say hello to content curation.
Content curation represents one of the most common digital marketing words buzzing among bloggers on social media sites, as well as brands that publish helpful website information to help customers solve problems.
So, what exactly is content curation?
Content Curation Defined
When you pull content from several sources and make the final work you own unique content, you have created curated content. Some content curation specialists like to link to content found online that is relevant to the website’s primary mission. However, true content curators create unique content drawn from information provided by reliable and respected sources.
Content curation is not about presenting a list of links that take your website visitors to other sources of information. You do not cut and paste content that rips off the ideas of other webmasters.
That is called plagiarism.
You have to bring together information from multiple sources and present the content in a way that is 100% original. Museum curators collect artifacts from multiple sources that exceed their quality standards. Like a museum curator, you sift through multiple information sources and dump the sources that do not meet your high quality standards for content.
Your brand uses the same principle for collecting information to create fresh and helpful content
The Benefits of Curating Content for Your Customers
Your website visitors come to you for helpful information. We get that. Instead of hitting dozens of websites to research a topic, your website visitors can use you as a trusted one-stop source of the information they needs to solve problems. From how to change a car tire to detecting Alzheimer’s disease, you help your website visitors save time by coming to you and only you for trusted information.
Content curation saves your customers time.
Another benefit of content curation for your customers is obtaining accurate information from one source, instead of trying to discern accuracy among multiple sources. There is plenty of bogus information online, especially when it comes to information that advises readers on how to improve their lives.
Your website visitors enjoy the peace of mind knowing the content you present is accurate and up to date.
How Content Curation Helps Your Brand
You also enjoy time-saving benefits by not having to spend a lot of time researching topics. Initially, you will have to spend time discovering your fountain of trusted sources. However, after you acquire several trusted sources, you know where to go for the information your customers want. When the next blog post comes up on the monthly content calendar, you quickly review your database of trust sources of information and then visit the websites that offer the content you need to curate for your valued customers.
One common content curation mistake is the misconception that content curation represents the fast and easy road to earning money online. Many companies implement automated content curation tools that spin into content curated for public consumption.
Once again, content curation requires your unique written interpretation of the content you have curated. Content curation is not a shortcut to online success, but a time saving digital marketing tool that enhances the value of your company website.
To learn more about content curation, contact one of our digital marketing and web development experts for a brief telephone consultation.
