Building Influence and Engagement with Smart Content Curation
Are you looking for an effective way to consistently engage your audience on social media while building credibility and saving time? Content curation might be the perfect solution. Many marketers spend hours crafting original content, but sharing valuable content from trusted sources can keep your brand active, relevant, and connected without all the heavy lifting.
What is Content Curation and Why is it Effective?
Content curation is the art of gathering and sharing valuable content relevant to your industry or audience’s interests. Unlike simply reposting others’ work, it involves hand-picking high-quality resources, sharing them with proper credit, and adding your perspective or insights when possible. This approach offers several advantages for your social media strategy.
- Stay Active with Less Effort
Developing original content is time-consuming and resource-intensive, but curated content lets you post more frequently without stretching your team too thin. Regular social media activity keeps your brand top-of-mind and improves visibility. You’ll stay present in your audience’s feeds without needing to create all the content yourself.
- Demonstrate Thought Leadership
By carefully selecting relevant and credible content, you position your brand as a trusted source in your industry. When people see you consistently sharing informative articles, videos, or research, they’ll associate your brand with expertise. This builds trust and positions you as a go-to resource for industry insights, which can significantly increase brand loyalty over time.
- Build a Stronger Community and Network
Content curation isn’t just about sharing – it’s about forming relationships. When you share another brand’s article or retweet their insights, you show appreciation for their work, which can open the door to meaningful connections. These relationships can lead to further networking opportunities, partnerships, and even collaborations that amplify your reach and impact.
- Offer Diverse Content for Broader Appeal
If your brand specializes in articles, mixing in curated videos, infographics, and industry news can add variety and keep your audience engaged. People enjoy seeing a range of content types, and diversifying your posts helps meet that need. A well-rounded content strategy will also increase the likelihood that followers see something that resonates with them, deepening their connection to your brand.
Tips for Effective Content Curation
- Balance Curated and Promotional Content
An ideal mix is often 80% curated content and 20% promotional content. This shows that you value industry knowledge and audience engagement over simply pushing your products. Your followers will appreciate the authentic approach, making them more likely to trust you when you do share promotional posts.
- Know Your Audience’s Interests
To curate content that resonates, think about your buyer persona. What industry leaders or publications do they trust? Use surveys, social listening, or even conversations with customers to gather this information. With these insights, you can consistently curate from sources your audience values, making your content feel more tailored and relevant.
- Be Consistent and Mindful of Sources
Pull from a reliable set of sources that match your brand values and voice. But remember, even within these sources, diversity is key. Spread out posts from any one source to keep your feed fresh. If you find an article worth sharing, consider sharing it on different channels, and add your thoughts to spark more conversation with your audience.
- Start Simple with Curation Tools
Content curation tools like Pocket, Feedly, and BuzzSumo can help streamline the process, especially if you’re managing multiple social channels. If you’re a one-person team, try starting with free options to find the tools that work best for you. As your strategy evolves, investing in more comprehensive software might be worthwhile to save even more time.
Content curation doesn’t replace original content – it complements it. By adopting a thoughtful approach to sharing valuable resources, you’ll foster a stronger, more engaged community that views your brand as a credible, helpful, and connected leader in your industry.
