Use Just Organic Content or Add Curated Content?
In the food we eat, organic carries the connotation of healthy, carefully grown food to put in our bodies. Organic content has come to mean that which is prepared specially by an author for the reader of his website. The author writes with the same care that the organic farmer uses as he grows his vegetables. But, the author targets his organic content for our mind.
I believe that it is fine to summarize others view on a subject. Using this as a place to start, the organic author will put forward the arguments on why he believes as he does.
Some other bloggers like to curate content. They believe that the Internet is all about sharing and that it’s perfectly OK to create a blog by starting with some of their own original content but then link to several other bloggers to round out their posts. Others believe that your content should be just that – your content. They point out that your reader could start on your page but follow a link that you provide and never return.
Should you be as helpful as possible?
On the one hand, there are those who believe that when you blog, your primary goal should be to provide valuable and complete information to your readers. When writing, your guiding slogan should be WIFT, What’s in it For Them.
Suppose you are doing research for a blog piece and you come across an article that is so well written, so clearly describes a point of view, that you know you must share it with your readers. The “WIFTers” say by all means share it. You can include a link to the article without concern of copyright infringement. Or even better, just use a point from an article by copying a snippet and giving credit to the author. Include a link to the article to give proper attribution and an opportunity for your reader to read the whole post.
Or maybe you remember an article written by someone you follow. You admire their writing skills, their clarity and their command of the subject. To not share the blog would be selfish and self-centered. If you curate their content you allow your reader a chance to learn, to enjoy the writer’s skills and maybe to grow in the process.
By sharing, you demonstrate that you are a thought leader. You know enough about the topic to be able to confidently point to other bloggers who write quality content. And do it without fear of losing readers.
Your reader will appreciate your thoughtfulness in pointing them to additional content so that they get a full picture of the topic. Knowing that you appreciate her visit she may like or share your post and bookmark it for future reference.
Don’t take a chance on losing a reader
On the other hand, some say
Why interrupt your reader’s train of thought? Let them continue enjoying your post.
Knowing that this post is out there, you may even want to add to your post to more strongly make the case and further enhance your point of view.
Curate content to improve your article
A third option is to curate content as a way to better explain the topic of your article by contrasting and comparing your ideas to the other content. It is often effective to strengthen your position by comparing it to another’s.
Begin your blog with a paragraph or two that states your position and then after a very short introduction provide a link to the other content. Below the link
This option demonstrates your thoughtfulness in completely covering the issue. You can show that you have considered the other content. And you have an opportunity to more strongly make your point.
But do not overdo the use of curated content.
Your audience wants to know what you are thinking, what you have learned, and what you believe. Not what you know about finding curated content.
A quote from Barry Feldman of Feldman Creative says it all – “A ton of content curation is a complete bore. It’s used bubble gum. It’s the result of a blog owner or social media contributor playing the ‘Get Out of Create New Content Free’ card.” Read the complete piece here: http://www.convinceandconvert.com/content-marketing/how-to-curate-content/.
Most content marketers agree that curated content should make up no more than 15% of your blogs. Rather than just providing a link to it you should use snippets of the piece interspersed with your own content. Another 75% of your content should be your own personally developed content and the final 10% can be promotional about your business and your brand.
Curated content should improve your reader’s experience
Use the following as your guide: Use curated content to give your reader more, balanced information. Careful use of curation makes his experience on your website one he will remember and encourage him to return.
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