Content Creation Vs. Content Curation: What’s The Difference?

Content marketing is something that gets talked about a lot when discussing internet marketing. However, one thing that is often overlooked is the fact that content marketing is not just producing content! It also includes content curation. You may be asking yourself what the difference between content creation and content curation is, and as your internet strategy consultant, we can help explain it for you.

What is Content Creation?

Content creation is what happens when you are producing your own original content. That includes blog posts, social media content, e-books, video marketing, TikTok, and any other type of content that you produce as part of your content marketing strategy. In short, it is original content that you, your team, or your internet strategy consultant have created.

What is Content Curation?

Content curation is a different process that involves gathering existing content from other sources and sharing it with your followers, usually with a comment of your own offering your own opinion or an added insight on the topic. That could mean sharing a video from another non-competing brand, or a newspaper article that is relevant to your industry. Curated content is third-party content that was not specifically produced by or for your business.

What is the Benefit of Curated Content?

Often we hear business owners question the value of using curated content as part of their content marketing strategy. If you are hearing the concept for the first time it can seem unsettling. Why would you want to put time and effort into promoting someone else instead of your own business? Think about it from this angle: Do you enjoy socializing with people who only ever talk about themselves and their own personal achievements? No. Well, neither do your customers! If you only ever post your own content, promoting your own business then it could drive your audience away! It is much more effective to share other perspectives some of the time.

With content curation, you are not sharing content from your rivals, but rather relevant content relating to your industry. For example, as an internet strategy consultant, we know that our audience is also likely to be interested in news regarding new social media features, the latest online technology, and the next big trend in online marketing. We will share interesting news articles or insightful blogs on these topics, always making sure that we choose credible sources.

Content Creation is Still Important

While there are many benefits to using curated content, it is not a replacement for creating your own original content. This is still a huge part of a successful content marketing strategy. Every business is unique, so you will need to find the balance that suits yours, but a general rule of thumb is to have 40% curated content and 60% original content.

What Are The Pros of Creating Original Content?

Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits of working with an internet strategy consultant to produce your own original content as part of a carefully planned content marketing plan.

• Helps Generate Leads - The great thing about using your own original content is that it offers an opportunity to brand the content with your own images, logos and call to action buttons. This makes it an effective way to generate leads.
• Drives Organic Traffic - It’s common knowledge in the internet marketing industry that Google favors original content. That doesn’t mean that curated content won’t rank, but high value original content will generally perform much better in terms of SERP (Search Enginge Results Page) rank.
• Build Brand Reputation - Many people think that their brand is their logo and their signature colors. However, it actually goes far deeper than that, incorporating many different aspects of your business. This includes your ‘voice’. The content you create and the tone it is presented in does a great deal to shape consumer perception of your brand. That’s why it is important that the content you create and any curated content you use is in line with your brand’s core values.
• Establish Yourself As An Industry Leader - Consumers are going to rely on you to provide important information about your industry. You are the expert, and they are eager to learn from you. With the help of an internet strategy consultant, you can start to produce engaging content that offers value to your audience. Over time, this helps to build your credibility as an expert in your field. When consumers want to know the answer to a question relating to your industry, they will start to look to you for that information. That’s why it is so important to listen to your audience and find out what their pain points are, allowing you the chance to offer them a solution.

If you need help developing your content marketing strategy or incorporating content curation into an existing plan, an internet strategy consultant can guide you through the process.

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To Your Best Online!

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Ingrid Maddox, Internet Marketing & Strategy Consultant. bluedress INTERNET MARKETING®, an Internet Marketing Company headquartered in Knoxville, TN. Internet Marketing Developed, Implemented, and Managed to Full Circle! Organic Internet Search Engine Guru. Turn-Key Internet Optimization Programs Placing You Everywhere and Anywhere You Need to Be Online.

ingrid@bluedressinc.com

865-378-7712