033 Content Curating—Because You Don’t Have to Write Everything from Scratch!

If you’re a content creator, marketer, or just trying to grow your online presence, you might have asked yourself, “How do these people constantly churn out fresh, exciting content?” Spoiler alert: they don’t. Instead, many turn to one of the best-kept secrets of internet success: content curation.

Yes, my friend, curating content is the magical, time-saving technique that lets you share valuable insights without pulling all-nighters or staring blankly at a screen, waiting for inspiration to strike. It’s about finding the gems that are already out there, adding your own twist, and presenting them to your audience in a way that makes them feel like they’ve just hit the jackpot.

What Exactly Is Content Curation?

Content curation is like being a DJ for information. You’re not creating the music; you’re taking existing tracks, mixing them together, and giving your audience something they didn’t even know they needed. Instead of producing new content every time, you find, organize, and share the most relevant and useful content from around the web.

But hold up! Content curation isn’t just copying and pasting someone else’s work (that’s illegal, and honestly, a little lazy). Curating is about adding value—giving context, summarizing, commenting, or putting your unique spin on what’s out there. It’s about becoming a trusted source of great content without always starting from scratch.

Why Is Content Curation So Effective?

Content curation isn’t just a time-saver; it’s a smart way to grow your audience and establish authority. Here are a few reasons why curating content should be part of your strategy:

1. It Keeps Your Feed Active

Creating original content every day can be exhausting. With content curation, you can maintain a consistent posting schedule without burning out. Whether it’s sharing a thought-provoking article or retweeting a viral post, you’re keeping your audience engaged without needing to write a novel each time.

2. It Builds Authority

When you share valuable, high-quality content from industry leaders, your audience starts to associate you with expertise in that field. You’re essentially saying, “Hey, I know what’s worth your time,” and your followers will trust you more for it.

3. It Saves Time

If you’re spending hours every day trying to write, edit, and perfect content, stop! Curating saves time while still delivering the goods. Instead of writing a 2,000-word blog post, you could compile a list of the best articles on a specific topic, share insightful stats, or create a roundup of expert opinions.

4. It Broadens Your Content Horizons

Your audience doesn’t just want to hear from you 24/7. They want to know what others are saying, too. Curating allows you to share a diverse range of perspectives, making your feed more interesting and dynamic.

5. It Sparks Ideas for Original Content

While curating, you’ll often come across ideas that inspire your next blog post, video, or social media update. In fact, some of the best original content starts with a well-curated piece of inspiration.

How to Curate Content Like a Pro

Now that you’re sold on the idea of content curation, how exactly do you do it? You can’t just hit “share” and call it a day. Curating content effectively requires strategy and a bit of finesse.

1. Know Your Audience

First things first: who are you talking to? If you’re curating content for fellow marketers, you’re probably not going to post about knitting trends (unless, of course, they involve marketing in some ingenious way). You need to know what your audience cares about, what problems they’re trying to solve, and what will make them click.

2. Find Credible Sources

Curation is only as good as the content you’re sharing. If you’re spreading misinformation or linking to sketchy websites, your reputation is on the line. Make sure to pull from reliable, authoritative sources like industry blogs, research papers, expert interviews, or well-regarded news outlets.

A few great places to find high-quality content include:

Feedly: This news aggregator allows you to follow your favorite blogs and sources in one place.
Flipboard: A personal magazine-style app that curates content based on your interests.
BuzzSumo: A tool that lets you discover trending content in your industry.

3. Add Your Own Commentary

Don’t just hit that share button and move on. Add your two cents! Why do you think this article is worth reading? How does it connect to your audience’s needs? Your commentary is what transforms curated content into a valuable resource, and it’s where your unique voice shines through.

4. Create Lists or Roundups

One of the most popular ways to curate content is to create roundups. Think, “Top 10 Marketing Tips From the Experts” or “5 Must-Read Articles on SEO.” By compiling multiple pieces of content in one place, you’re doing the legwork for your audience, making it easy for them to find all the info they need.

5. Credit the Original Creator

This one’s important: always give credit where credit is due. If you’re sharing someone else’s content, make sure to link back to the original source and mention the creator. It’s not only ethical but also a good way to build relationships with other creators in your industry.

6. Be Selective

Not every piece of content is worth curating. The key to great curation is to be selective. Ask yourself: Does this add value? Is it relevant to my audience? Is it from a reputable source? It’s better to curate less but with higher quality than to flood your feed with mediocre content.

Tools to Make Content Curation Easier

There are plenty of tools that can help you streamline your content curation process, saving even more time. Here are a few to check out:

Pocket: Save articles and videos to read later, all in one convenient app.
Curata: A content curation platform specifically designed for marketers.
Scoop.it: A tool that helps you discover and share content in your niche.

SEO and Content Curation

Wait, doesn’t Google prefer original content? Yes, but that doesn’t mean curated content can’t help your SEO efforts. By carefully selecting high-quality content and adding your own insights, you can still drive traffic and engagement. Here’s how to do it right:

Use Keywords: Even when curating, ensure that your posts include relevant keywords so your content is easily discoverable by search engines.
Write Catchy Headlines: A compelling headline can make all the difference when sharing curated content. Optimize it with keywords but keep it human and engaging.
Link Building: Curated content can be a great way to build links. When you link to authoritative sources and they link back, it improves your SEO ranking.

Wrapping It Up

Content curation is the superhero of online marketing strategies. It allows you to consistently deliver value, grow your authority, and build a thriving online presence—without the constant pressure to create original content. By being selective, adding your unique voice, and leveraging the right tools, you can curate like a pro and keep your audience coming back for more.

So the next time you’re staring at a blank screen, feeling the weight of writer’s block, remember: you don’t have to write everything from scratch. Curate, share, and watch your audience—and your sanity—grow.