The Future Is Human - CM #5
Insights, resources and real-world examples of how to create profitable online projects by organizing existing information.
Welcome to issue #5 of Curation Monetized.
I am Robin Good, a passionate researcher of content curation since 2004, writing you from the sunny island of Holbox in Mexico.
The goal I have is to provide a showcase of real-world examples of apps, resources and digital products that generate revenue by collecting and organizing existing (already published) information.
I want to help indie entrepreneurs who are passionate and expert about a topic in creating valuable resources that are useful for others and that are also economically profitable.
This newsletter is written for:
indie entrepreneurs
journalists
subject-matter experts
consultants, advisors
trainers, teachers, coaches
The Free edition of this newsletter provides general updates, news, resources and relevant tools relating to content curation, organizing information and related monetization and business models.
The Premium edition provides additional insights and showcases real-world examples with detailed info (niche, business model, platforms, authors) along with my notes on the curator’s job and connected business opportunities.
Key Insights
1) Human Curation Helps People Find What They Like
I am very comforted in seeing that there is yet no Amazon recommendation, no Spotify automatic playlist or Youtube video suggestion that can really match what I like and what I would like to see.
I can see recommendations that do attract me and make me curious, but they are really not what makes me go: “Wow! That’s exactly what I was looking for!”
“Algorithms can play games with your dopamine levels, but they cannot provide you with the sensation that you have been heard and seen by another human.
Human curation saves you from the paradox of choice.
The algorithm gives you too many options that are too broad for your specific interest at any one point. The more choices you have, the more likely you are to give up and choose nothing.
It’s easier to find a movie to watch if you have some recommendations from friends, family or critics that you trust.”
Source: Jason McBride - The Future of Business on the Internet Is Human
2) Lists Are the New Search
It’s the tyranny of choice.
The more options you are offered, especially if they all appear to be equally relevant, the less likely that you are going to pick one.
“I don't want 500 options for restaurants, all of which I'd like
- I want five.All curation grows until it requires search.
All search grows until it requires curation.”
Too many solutions require a list.
Too many lists require a search engine.
Source: Benedict Evans - “Lists Are the New Search”
3) Who Do You Go To When You Want to Know More?
We assume that Google allows us to find the most useful information just about anything just by searching for you.
But that holds true only if you already know what you are looking for.
What about when you want to know more about something?
“People try to use Google to navigate the flood.
But that only works if you know what you’re looking for.
Googling “Elon Musk Biography” is likely to get you where you want to go; Googling “What should I read next?” will not.
In business, analytics dashboards and big data are great at answering questions, but poor at figuring out what questions to ask.
People hunger for authentic, relevant content, not listicles of top 20 crap.
To that end, they’re turning to curators to surf the flood of content.
If Ryan Holiday says a book is “life-changing,” it’s worth a look.”
Source: Mark Watkins - “The Power and Limits of Curation”
Recommended Curation Tools & Resources
Earn and Clout for Curating
Rate anything, earn rewards for accuracy, and gain status. Bookmark, save and comment the best stuff you find online. Stay up-to-date with content from your favorite platforms (Twitter, Farcaster, Lens, NFTs, and more) in one feed curated by the community. Be rewarded for your valuable opinions across the web.
Build Professional Organizational Staff Directories
all-in-one staff directory, profile management, and client microsite solution which simplifies creating and administering any type of directory.
Pricing N/A
Workflow DirectoryCollect and Organize - Directory Builder
All you need to create a website directory of any kind.
Starts at $15/mo
SuperstashCreate Visual / Mood Boards
Collect and visually organize images for inspiration, design, planning.
Simple, intuitive, zero-learning web app to create image collections.
Free version available.
SaveePodcast Curation
Flipboard new audio curation feature powered by Simplecast/Recast. Flipboard offers a new feature which allows you to edit and extract key parts of a audio podcast and share your curated section on your channel. To find out more and to try it just go to this page, and look at the bottom part. You will see an audio timeline and the option to select a portion of it to re-share it with your audience.
Flipboard
Simplecast
Curation Monetized: Real World Examples
Profitable curation projects available in the March Premium Edition:
Database of dimensioned drawings documenting the standard measurements and sizes of everyday objects and spaces
Exclusive catalog of unique destinations for hotel lovers looking to have their socks blown off
Database of 100+ resources and websites that can be utilized to monetize existing, acquired audiences
Ordered sequence of SEO steps supported by a collection of resources to help you get your website onto the first page of Google
Catalog of online courses and degrees from leading universities and companies
Directory of curated vertical industry-specific newsletters
These are all online projects that monetize by organizing existing information.
Subscribe to Curation Monetized Premium to get the details on each one of these projects and to support my work in this direction. Your contribution can help me continue doing what I love the most.
To get a look at a Premium issue check out the first issue of CM.
P.S.: Feedback and comments are always welcome, as well as requests for specific solutions.
Just reply to this newsletter email or write me at robingood@substack.com
from sunny Holbox island (MX)
Robin Good