Insights - CM #30
Thoughts around insights. Tools for curators and experts. Upcoming changes to this newsletter content and offerings.
Insights are non-obvious realizations, that lead to better understanding, discoveries and new ideas.
After 29 issues and 40+ editions of Curation Monetized, I am looking critically at the journey done so far, while asking myself how I can make it better for you.
The mission of this newsletter is to support those who have sensed that organizing information, resources and tools is increasing valuable and can generate rewarding profits. This is especially true when, who does the curation, has a strong reputation in his field.
But stupid me, I have been hiding the most valuable info, by segregating it to paywalled newsletter sections reserved only to my paying Premium subscribers.
By doing so, I strongly limited the spread of this useful info at the detriment of the very audience I wanted to support.
Nonetheless there is an increasing number of opportunities that are emerging in this direction, if I don’t contribute to showcase and highlight those who have already been paving the road, how can I expect my readers to get excited and to seriously consider the many benefits that curation carries?
If I am the one restricting access to the most valuable part of this newsletter (the real world examples) only to premium subscribers, the key tangible value of my vision has remained hidden for most readers for the longest time.
Starting in the next issue of Curation Monetized, this is going to change.
Free subscribers:
[NEW] Real-world examples of projects that generate a revenue by organizing or curating existing info, resources and/or tools will be accessible by everyone.
[NEW] Additional untapped monetization ideas for each example
Data-driven opportunities for curated projects.
.
Premium subscribers:
New original in-house built mini-apps that specifically support:
Organizing ideas and notes (second brain)
Finding relevant content
Discovering new sources
Extracting non-obvious insights
Finding parallels in other fields
Identifying supporting books, videos or movies
Providing support and resources to content curators
.
Access to the Curation Monetized Database Catalog
(for annual subscribers)
N.B.: For those more interested in the art of content curation outside its monetization potential, check the upcoming issue of my other newsletter TRUST-able where I will start showcasing:
great curated newsletters,
while highlighting their key traits and
zooming in on how they add value.
Robin Good
In this issue:
Curation Insights
Insights - That’s What a Curator Does
Generate Value
Insight Is Interpretation
The Door To Insights
Tools for Content Curators [is moving]
.
In the Premium Edition
Data-Verified Curation-Based Business Opportunities (4)
X near me
Best X Products
AI Xxxxx Examples
Xxxxx Examples
.
Real-World Examples of Curation Monetized (3)
Online Gallery of Free Top Xxxxx Xxxxx
Directory of Authorized Xxxx Xxxx Inspection Xxxx Shops
Job Board of Available Positions Inside Xxxxx
Curation Insights
That’s What a Curator Does
Extracting insights.
Analyzing things and extracting valuable insights by closely inspecting something, is a road that I have noticed to be useful when someone wants to create great value and stand out from the general noise.
That “something” could be thoughts and ideas from people you admire.
To extract insights, what you do is, you take one key idea from someone and you analyze to:
a) expose something that otherwise would not be immediately evident
b) find weaknesses and blind spots in it for which you have a solution or an alternative idea
c) suggest ways in which it could be applied in real-life situations.
This is how you create value that shows you are not only competent but someone able to see beyond the surface of things.
Generate Value [by providing Analysis, Insight]
Less quantity, more quality.
That’s how more value can be generated: by offering more insight and analysis.
Not by writing longer content.
Not by publishing more stuff.
In fact, if I can help someone consume less of whatever he is interested in, but at the same time provide him with valuable non-obvious insight and practical advice, I have a true golden egg.
“Those conducting regular audience research are increasingly finding that more isn’t necessarily more, and that audiences often say they would rather pay for products that require them to consume less content where possible.”
…features oriented around
analysis,
insight,
context and
efficiency
– however those are defined by individual publishers – are almost always deemed more valuable than those tied to volume of consumption.”
That’s what curation is about.
Source: Jack Marshall - “Subscription Publishers Reorient To Quality and Value”
Insight Is Interpretation
Contrary to what most people think, great value can be generated by analyzing and interpreting what’s already out there rather than by writing something new.
“Most people do not start by creating original content.
Instead, they curate thoughts and ideas from people they admire.
Eventually, they forge a path of their own.
Picasso studying Van Gogh’s Impressionism and then a decade later creating Cubism is a perfect example.
All of that said, curation is very easy to do but very difficult to master.
The lowest form of curation is sharing.
Next is curation with opinion.
Above that is curation with insight.”
Share = find unique relevant stuff
Opinion = have a unique point of view
Insight = interpret and extract actionable lessons
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Source: Nicolas Cole | The Startup - “How To Become A Legendary Thought Leader Whose Ideas Change The World”
The Door To Insights: Asking Good Questions
The shortest way to insights is asking good, thoughtful questions.
For example at the end of each episode of my Italian podcast, I ask myself what I can take back home, that is useful and that can make me a better person, by critically looking at would be otherwise a normal everyday event.
And that’s where insights, or non-obvious realizations, can come about. Not always. But often enough.
Asking uneasy questions is a road to them.
“In the age of infinite information, the competitive advantage isn't knowledge—it's [insight].
Not those who know the most, but those who can discern what matters.
Not processing power, but purpose.
Those who can extract meaning, connect dots across domains.”
Tools for Content Curators [is moving]
Alert: This section, dedicated to showcasing new and interesting tools for content curators, researchers and experts and ranging from content discovery to PKM, is moving to my flagship newsletter TRUST-able.
The new TRUST-able format (coming up in less than 2 weeks) will include:
real-world examples of curated newsletters,
how they add value and
my recommended selection of new tools and apps for content curation, research, discovery and PKM (the section that you just went through here).
-> Subscribe to
Eyeball is a minimalist iPhone-only app to save anything of value you find online. Bookmarks anything in two clicks. Saves inside your custom labelled channels. Allows you to discover new content. Allows you to share your saved links.
Free version for up to three channels. (Dev.: Kabir Chibber)
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Collate
Private AI PDF assistant for macOS (M1 or later). Highlight PDFs, chat with them, and export polished summaries—free and offline. Works entirely offline.100% free. (Developer: Velislava Yanchina)
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Stacklist
Visual bookmarking service. Web-based + smartphone apps. Unlimited devices. iOS and Android apps.Find, collect, share any kind of online content. Search across all cards. Chrome, Firefox Edge extensions. Save cards from other members. Public Profile for sharing.
Free plan allows for unlimited cards and stacks.
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MkDirs
Directory code boilerplate, packed with AI, Listings, Payment, Submission, CMS, Blog, Authentication, Newsletter, SEO, Themes and more. Demo site.$119 one-time
100 Real-World Examples of Revenue-Making Curated Collections and Directories
Database of 100+ businesses that make $$$ by aggregating, organizing and/or curating/adding value to existing information, resources or tools
Includes:
Business models used
Content publishing platforms used
Payment gateway / platforms used
Untapped opportunities
Top key trends
*Special March Offer* - Buy now $39 (
99)Includes upcoming next edition.
Available only for active Substack subscribers to this newsletter.Free to annual CM paid subscribers.
In the Premium Edition
Data-Verified Curation-Based Business Opportunities (4)
X near me
Best X Products
AI Xxxxx Examples
Xxxxx Examples
.
Real-World Examples of Curation Monetized (3)
Online Gallery of Free Top Xxxxx Xxxxx
Directory of Authorized Xxxx Xxxx Inspection Xxxx Shops
Job Board of Available Positions Inside Xxxxx
.
Help other people discover this newsletter.
If you have enjoyed what you have found in this edition of Curation Monetized, please support this work by liking, sharing or restacking it so that other interested people can discover it.
Feel free also to message me directly.
It’s always a pleasure to hear from you.
Stop searching for something new.
Organize and add value to what’s already there.
from windy Koh Samui (TH)
Robin Good
.