When it comes to creating content, most of us get caught up with trying to reinvent the wheel with each and every email, blog, and social media post. But sharing quality, relevant content with your audience doesn’t have to be that hard! This is absolutely one of the reasons I’m a huge advocate for repurposing content and for content curation.

Content curation is simply a fancy way to say that you’ve gathered information (articles, blogs, research, social media posts) to share that’s relevant to a particular topic you want to talk about in your own content channels.

Content curation can take many forms – links in a blog post or email, reshares or tags on social media. But it is always done with the intent of sharing something you didn’t create (and aren’t trying to take credit for) that still speaks to your brand or the conversation you are having in your own content.

You may think that pointing your audience in a direction other than your own content or offerings is counterintuitive. There are actually a lot of ways content curation HELPS your business!

Here are 5 Ways Content Curation Supports You and Your Brand…

1. Content curation creates value for your audience.

One of your major goals in content creation should always be to add value to your tribe.

Yes, you want to use your social media, blogs, website, emails, and other marketing to convert and grow your business, but a key step to doing that is knowing that your customers are all in different places in their journey with you. And one sure-fire way to gain a client base that will keep coming back time and again is to provide them VALUE!

Sharing the research and work of others shows your audience that you care more about providing them with insightful, useful information than you do about promoting yourself.

2. Content curation builds your authority.

In addition to providing your audience with value, sharing carefully selected content establishes your authority and expertise. 

Sharing tangible content shows your audience that you’re continually researching, learning, and growing on your own journey and that you know where to find new information in your field or zone of genius. 

**An important thing to note here is the incredible importance of sharing credible sources.**

Sharing inaccurate information that you haven’t gotten from a reputable person or outlet will actually do more to harm your authority than any amount of sharing quality information does to build it. This is something to pay extra attention to at the moment with everything happening in the world.

For instance, as a business or leadership coach, reputable sources would be places like Forbes, the Harvard Business Review, or Fast Company. For a therapy practice, credible places to share from may include verified writers on Psychology Today or Greater Good Magazine from UC Berkley. 

Some tips for determining a source’s credibility include asking yourself the following questions:

• Who wrote the information? What are their credentials?
• When was the piece or research published? Is it still relevant?
• Where is the source getting their information from? Did they cite statistics, research studies, or other articles?
• Is the piece primarily an opinion of the author or is it factual?

3. Content curation boosts your SEO.

Linking back to these reputable sources on your website or blog not only shows your audience that you know what you’re talking about, but it also bumps up your SEO – or search engine optimization. (It increases the chances that someone’s Google search will lead them to you).

According to Moz, “Backlinks are especially valuable for SEO because they represent a ‘vote of confidence’ from one site to another. In essence, backlinks to your website are a signal to search engines that others vouch for your content.”

4. Content curation supports others in your field and builds relationships. 

Sharing the content of others can be a simple but profound way to support fellow businesses and entrepreneurs that are working toward making this world a better place right alongside you.

Developing relationships with these people (and tagging them on your posts) enriches what you have to offer. And the good you put in the world will definitely find its way back to you. Oftentimes, in the form of others promoting and recommending your business. 

5. Content curation makes your job simpler.

And, in case you needed one more reason why content curation is a positive thing for your business… Never underestimate the value of making your life easier!

Content creation doesn’t have to eat up all of your time. You don’t have to only share original works and thoughts. Part of your conversation with your audience should include exploring and shining a light on the work of others! 

I know all of you heart-centered entrepreneurs are all working hard to bring more light and value to this world – so why not find a way to do it that also makes your load a little lighter and gives you more time to focus on the other important work you are doing, too.

If you need help curating some content (or creating some new content!), the team at Amazing OBM would love to connect. You can start by scheduling a FREE 30-minute consultation. We are happy to chat, offer you some valuable tips, and determine if we are a good fit for one another in future endeavors!