Curated Content vs Original Content

The study is on!  And I might add, "AT LAST!"

Watching the growth and acceptance of social media has been interesting.  People were shy of it in the beginning and the "excuse" was, "I don't want everyone to know my business" or "it's for kids!"

As time went on, the business community caught on to the benefits of social media as a medium with a reach beyond all other!  They adopted it,  they used it, they created personnel & departments with a full focus for using social media and the study of its metrics! That was it ... social media officially arrived and is here to stay!

HOWEVER . the growth curve continues for many small businesses.  Giving up on the notion that social media can be ignored, the small business owner/entrepreneur has realized they must participate.  (Kind of like when they realized they needed a website.)  BUT, the small business owner/entrepreneur doesn't come equipped with a marketing and sales team.  They are often skilled at what they do and not so much in the selling aspect of what they do. 

The challenge for the small business has been what to say on social media.  Using quotations was discovered!  It has saved many and at a minimum it does get your business name in front of people with good feelings attached.  There are also places one can go online to find "content" that can be used online postings. Also sharing industry news, community news, other items of "interest" can be used.  Anything that can be shared, i.e. videos, songs, photos, etc. can be and is used for content.

All of the above is what is referred to as "curated" content. Basically you are  finding relevant content pertaining to a specific category of your business and passing it on.   This technique has been keeping businesses pretty happy to date.  You are out there in front of your market ( known or a guess? ), and you can even get away with hiring outsiders to do your  posting for you ( if a budget is available).

BUT what is "now" happening is that the business owners/managers who thought they were having social media success are discovering "NOT! " The metrics are there .... lots of LIKES, SHARES, and positive comments!  But who doesn't like a great quote, photo, video, news, etc  It doesn't always translate into prospects, business connections and buyers!! 

Some business owners are not getting any results!  Very few LIKES, SHARES, or comments. They feel like it is all a waste of time.

Enter "ORIGINAL" content!  Original content is required by business of all sizes "IF" you plan to target and make business connections that will buy from you!!  Hootesuite just released a white paper in which IT managers nationwide are projecting an increase in their use of "original content" for all the reasons discussed here. 

So, it's time to bite the bullet business owners!  YOU MUST know how to create, from your business offerings, online social media content that is "original and specific" to what your buyers need! Content that will attract, connect and convert! Content that will create new, repeat and referral business.... but doing so via relationship building, not ads and not "selling."  Matching needs and wants to solutions, sharing concerns, "hitting the nail on the head" for what "your" buyers are looking for "via what" you offer, not "what" you offer! 

It's not difficult to do. It can actually be lots of fun and eye opening! Business owners have turned to me and said, wow .. "I never realized the "true" benefits people get from my services!"

And, It's not difficult to learn how to do if you need help.  Again, it can be FUN to learn and again, eye opening to what you are contributing to your "communities of buyers."

Today's Way has always promoted the use of "original content" so we feel as if our day has come!  Each of our clients is unique so a variety of ways have been created to help you start from scratch, fine tune, or pick up the pieces somewhere in between. 

Let us know where you are at and we can map out a plan to make you 120% with your online social media "original" content.  We offer as low as $1 a minute coaching ( 15 - 45 minuter), have packaged programs that are individualized for you, and hourly ongoing coaching.

Right now our popular "It's Time" program is reduced to $295 (normally $500) until the first day of summer, June 21st. Walk away with purpose, know-how, & control!  Find out more about it and how to proceed by clicking here

The choice is still yours ... Curated or Original?   Can't force you in a direction but if all things were equal which way would you go?

I welcome your thoughts on this.  Please leave comments below. 

Enjoy and ...

Keep Your Business Garden Growing
margie