Identifying Your Topics for Content Curation

When it comes to content curation, choosing topics can be a different experience than when you are faced with the challenge of choosing topics for your original posts. You may argue that content curation is not as difficult to produce as original content; however, you still need to identify the topics that will work for you and for your target audience.

What is content curation?

If you are curating content, it means that you obtain, organize, and share content that is within a particular niche and you present it in such a way that you give it your own spin. The main objective is that the content that you have curated is valuable to your target audience and that it is viewed in a positive, clear, concise manner rather than as a nuisance. The good news is that once you have curated the content to the point where it is acceptable to you and that you are completely satisfied with what you have gathered, the rest will be a breeze. If you have been able to achieve your goal of gathering and presenting curated content that is organized well, it will also achieve your other goal of causing your business to sell more and of getting the most out of your marketing strategy.

Turning you into a subject-matter expert (SME)

If you are able to successfully curate the content that you want to share, it will put you in the position of being considered a subject matter expert in the eyes of your target audience and your other important online connections. That is exactly the position that you want to be in. You want to be the one that other people turn to when they happen to need what you happen to be offering. You will be considered a thought leader (or influencer) and that position will enable you to bring your business to the next level.

When it comes to choosing your curated topics, there are a few steps that you will need to follow in a specific order.

• Consider your brand and your offerings: The first (and most relevant) question that you will need to answer for this one is exactly what do you want your brand to be remembered for? It is important not to answer that question too quickly. It will require some thought and it is very important that you take your time. Of course, it goes without saying that you want people to associate whatever you are selling with top-shelf quality. It is very important to keep in mind that whichever topic you decide upon, there must be a strong relevance between the topic and your products and/or services. Of course, with that said, you must also align the topic with the relevant keywords and key phrases, as well as thought-provoking ideas. After all, you definitely want to encourage as much interaction as possible between you and the other people.

• Consider the needs and wants of your target audience: In general, whenever you share content with the members of your target audience, no matter what form it comes in, it must be customized to the point where your audience can not only relate to it closely but also to the point where they are totally convinced that you have the ability to solve their problems. It must always be about that. You must consistently subscribe to the WIIFM (What’s In It For Me?) principle. In other words, it should never be about how wonderful you and your business are. It must always be about what you are able to do to solve the other person’s problems.

• Choose your topic very carefully: Once you get to the point of actually choosing your curated topic, it is really important to choose exactly the most effective one. If it is too broad or too narrow a topic, you may not get the response that you want and need from your audience. Of course, it is critical that you choose your sources carefully and that you provide enough information so that the information that you present is not only valuable but that it is credible as well. Credibility and trustworthiness are essential to your professional success.

Conclusion

Content curation can be an extremely effective and fruitful approach to connecting with your target audience. Of course, you must also offer up original content; however, used in combination, you will be presenting very powerful and effective content that your target audience will not only find valuable but will also want to share with other people. Connecting with your target audience on a human level will help you to establish relationships and those relationships will eventually allow you to bring  your business to the next level. If you do it right, you will manage to get your audience to fall in love with you and your brand.

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