Should you outsource content curation?

Has creating content been challenging for your brand? Why not just resort to content curation to gain more followers?

One hallmark of an effective content marketing strategy is content curation. It involves gathering, organizing, and presenting valuable and relevant content from various sources to engage and educate target audiences.

However, many businesses face challenges in managing their content curation efforts effectively. This could be due to resource limitations, time constraints, and the need for specialized expertise. But what if businesses could outsource content curation instead?

Pros of Outsourcing Content Curation

In digital business strategies, outsourcing content curation has become a practical foundation for companies aiming to excel in content marketing. Let’s look at the tangible advantages of outsourcing content curation and how it becomes an integral part of a strong content strategy.

1. Unlocking Expertise

   Outsourcing stands as a practical move for businesses aiming to optimize their content marketing endeavors. Through outsourced services, your business unlocks a reservoir of specialized skills and expertise that integrates smoothly into your content strategy.

   This choice acknowledges the fluid nature of the digital landscape, where staying ahead is not just a consideration but a practical need.

2. Knowledge Hub

   Besides skills and expertise, the knowledge of content curation professionals offer another essential layer to your content strategy. They possess extensive insights into the details of identifying, curating, and presenting high-quality content.

   This facet encapsulates an understanding of what specific target audiences want, fitting naturally into your content marketing goals. Specifically, these professionals have a keen awareness of the latest industry trends, best practices, and emerging content formats.

3. Cost Efficiency and Scalability

   Another noteworthy advantage in outsourcing is the pronounced cost-effectiveness and scalability it brings for your content marketing approach. Opting for external providers eliminates the need for substantial investments in hiring and training an in-house team. The financial prudence of this choice allows you to redirect resources thoughtfully.

   In addition, this reallocation not only minimizes costs but also affords a heightened degree of flexibility within your content strategy. Your business gets to be agile, ready to adapt to market fluctuations without the constraints of an extensive in-house team.

4. Time Savings and Enhanced Efficiency

   Moreover, the decision to outsource addresses more than just financial considerations. It is a calculated investment in time savings and operational efficiency as well. Entrusting content curation to seasoned professionals frees your business from this meticulous task.

   This delegation catalyzes efficiency, as experienced hands deal with content curation in your content marketing strategy. This allows you to focus on core operations while the curated content continues to wield its impact.

The Cons of Outsourcing Content Curation

When considering the landscape of outsourcing content curation, it is essential to deliberate on the associated challenges. While there are evident advantages to external content curation, a closer look reveals potential drawbacks that warrant attention.

• Brand Voice and Alignment Challenges

  One primary concern involves the intricacies of maintaining control over the brand voice and ensuring consistent alignment across curated content. Specifically, external curators might not fully grasp the subtleties of your brand’s identity, tone, and values. This could lead to a divergence from your overall brand strategy.

• Communication Challenges

  Adding to the list of considerations are communication challenges, especially when you outsource to offshore or remote teams. The geographical and cultural differences can give rise to communication hurdles, resulting in delays, misinterpretations, or language barriers.

  Effective collaboration becomes essential to overcoming these challenges. This ensures that the curated content resonates with the intended audience while adhering to your brand’s messaging.

• Quality and Consistency Concerns

  Beyond communication, concerns about quality and consistency may surface if your outsourcing partner fails to meet expectations. Ensuring that the curated content aligns with your standards becomes crucial to maintaining a cohesive brand image. The risk of deviations from guidelines may compromise the overall impact of your content marketing strategy.

Factors to Consider when Outsourcing Content Curation

Before you outsource content curation, you should carefully evaluate several factors to ensure it aligns with your content marketing objectives:

1. Content Requirements

   When evaluating content requirements, consider the specific types of content you need to curate. This could include blog articles, social media posts, videos, or images. After that, determine the volume of content needed and the frequency of updates.

   Of course, don’t forget to assess if your current team can handle the workload. Otherwise, outsourced services really are necessary to meet your demand.

2. Budget and Resources

   Analyze your budget and resource allocation for content curation. In other words, compare the cost of hiring and training an in-house team to the cost of outsourcing.

   Also, consider the long-term financial implications and the potential return on investment that outsourcing can provide. Finally, assess if outsourcing allows you to allocate resources more efficiently and effectively.

3. Internal Expertise

   Evaluate the expertise and capabilities of your internal content marketing team. See if they have the necessary skills and knowledge to curate high-quality content that aligns with your brand’s content strategy. If your team lacks the expertise or is overloaded with other tasks, outsourcing can bring in specialized skills and knowledge.

4. Risk Assessment

   Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential risks and challenges associated with outsourcing content curation. Consider factors such as data security, intellectual property protection, and compliance with legal and ethical guidelines.

   After that, develop strategies to mitigate these risks and ensure the outsourcing partner adheres to your standards.

5. Scalability and Flexibility

   Determine if your content needs fluctuate over time. If your demand varies based on seasonal trends, campaigns, or product launches, outsourcing should be your next move. Just to be sure, assess if outsourced services allow you to scale up or down quickly without compromising content quality.

6. Quality Control

   Establish clear guidelines, quality standards, and expectations for your outsourced services. Communicate your brand’s voice, tone, and style to ensure consistency. Also, set up mechanisms for feedback, revisions, and performance evaluation to maintain quality control. Then, regularly monitor the outsourced content to ensure it aligns with your standards.

7. Communication and Collaboration

   Evaluate the communication and collaboration process with your outsourcing partner. Determine how you will convey your content requirements, provide feedback, and address any concerns. For this, you must ensure there are open lines of communication and a collaborative workflow in place.

8. Time Management

   Aside from your budget, you should also gauge the time-saving benefits of outsourcing content curation. Consider how much time and effort it currently takes for your internal team to curate content.

   Again, determine if outsourcing can free up valuable resources. Outsourced services could allow your team to focus on core business activities or other initiatives that require their expertise.

9. Industry Expertise

   Look for outsourcing partners who have experience and expertise in your industry or niche. They will have a deeper understanding of your target audience, industry trends, and content best practices. Industry-specific knowledge can help ensure that the outsourced services resonate with your audience and meet their expectations.

10. Long-Term Strategy

    Consider the long-term implications of outsourcing content curation. Evaluate how outsourcing fits into your overall content marketing strategy. See if it aligns with your brand’s vision, values, and goals. Assess if the outsourcing arrangement allows for long-term collaboration and growth. After all, you have to make sure that your content strategy remains consistent and effective.

Steps to Successful Content Curation Outsourcing

To ensure a seamless outsourcing experience, your business should follow a series of steps:

• Define Your Goals and Requirements

  Before outsourcing, it’s crucial to clearly define your content marketing goals and requirements. Determine the specific objectives you want to achieve through outsourcing and the type of content you need curated.

  You should also consider factors such as the target audience, content topics, tone of voice, and desired outcomes. This will provide a clear direction for your outsourced services and help you find the right partner.

• Research and Identify Potential Outsourcing Partners

  Once you decide to push through with outsourcing, conduct thorough research to identify potential partners. Look for companies or individuals with a proven track record in content curation and expertise in your industry or niche.

  Consider factors such as their experience, portfolio, client testimonials, and reputation. Look for partners who understand your brand values and can deliver high-quality curated content.

• Evaluate and Shortlist

  Once you have identified potential outsourcing partners, evaluate them based on their expertise, capabilities, and fit with your requirements. Shortlist a few candidates and review their work samples or case studies to check their quality of work.

  Also, consider factors such as their understanding of your industry, ability to meet deadlines, and flexibility in accommodating your needs.

• Define Clear Expectations and Guidelines

  Clearly communicate your expectations and guidelines to the selected outsourcing partner. Provide them with detailed briefs, style guides, and examples of the type of outsourced services you’re looking for.

  Specify the desired content formats, word count, language preferences, and any specific guidelines related to tone, style, or brand voice. Establish clear expectations regarding timelines, revisions, and feedback processes.

• Set Up Effective Communication Channels

  Establish efficient communication channels with the outsourcing partner to ensure smooth collaboration. Specifically, determine the preferred modes of communication, whether it’s email, project management tools, or video conferences.

  Set clear expectations regarding response times and availability. Regular communication will enable you to provide feedback, address concerns, and ensure alignment throughout the content curation process.

• Provide Access to Resources

  Grant the outsourcing partner access to necessary resources to facilitate their content curation process. This may include providing access to relevant brand assets, content management systems, or data sources.

  Ensure they have the required tools, software, and information needed to curate content effectively. Clear and timely access to resources will enhance their ability to deliver high-quality curated content.

• Monitor and Provide Feedback

  Regularly monitor the curated content to ensure it aligns with your content strategy. In particular, review the content for accuracy, relevance, and adherence to guidelines.

  Don’t forget to provide timely and constructive feedback to the outsourcing partner, highlighting areas of improvement and acknowledging their strengths. Encourage an open and collaborative feedback loop to foster continuous improvement.

• Maintain Quality Control

  Implement quality control measures to maintain consistency and uphold content standards. Conduct regular quality checks to ensure the outsourced services meet your expectations and align with your content strategy.

  Establish a feedback loop with the outsourcing partner to address any deviations or concerns promptly. Regularly evaluate the quality of the curated content and make necessary adjustments to maintain high standards.

• Foster a Long-Term Partnership

  Aim to build a long-term partnership with your outsourcing provider by fostering a positive and collaborative working relationship.

  To do this, recognize and appreciate their efforts, provide opportunities for professional growth, and maintain open lines of communication. A strong partnership built on trust and mutual understanding will lead to better collaboration. It will also improve the ability to meet evolving content curation needs.

• Evaluate Performance and Adjust as Needed

  Continuously evaluate the performance of the outsourcing partner based on predefined metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs). Assess their ability to meet deadlines, deliver high-quality curated content, and align with your content strategy. Lastly, review the partnership periodically and make adjustments as needed.

What Not to Do when Outsourcing Content Curation

Meanwhile, here are some things that your brand should avoid when outsourcing content curation:

1. Lack of Clear Communication

   Do not assume that your outsourcing partner understands their expectations without providing clear guidelines and instructions. After all, lack of communication can lead to misunderstandings, resulting in inconsistent or irrelevant content.

   It’s always essential to establish open and transparent communication channels to ensure a mutual understanding of content marketing objectives.

2. Neglecting Due Diligence

   You should not overlook the importance of conducting thorough due diligence when selecting an outsourcing partner.

   It’s crucial to research and evaluate potential partners based on their expertise, experience, and track record. Skipping this step can result in partnering with a provider that does not align with your brand’s values. Worse, the provider may lack the necessary skills or fail to deliver quality content.

3. Lack of Proper Training and Support

   Don’t think that your outsourcing partner is already equipped with all the knowledge and resources needed to curate content effectively. In fact, it’s still essential to provide comprehensive training, guidelines, and ongoing support. This ensures the outsourcing team understands your brand’s unique requirements and aligns with your brand’s voice and values.

4. Micromanaging and Lack of Trust

   Always avoid micromanaging your outsourced services. Constantly scrutinizing every decision and action can hinder the creative process and demotivate the outsourcing team. Trusting the capabilities of the outsourcing partner is crucial for a successful collaboration. Provide clear guidelines and expectations as well as the freedom to execute your content strategy.

5. Ignoring Quality Control

   Still, you should not overlook the importance of quality control in outsourced content curation. Without proper oversight, there is a risk of inconsistent or subpar content being published, which can damage the brand’s reputation. Establish quality control measures, such as content review processes, to ensure that all curated content meets your brand’s standards.

6. Failure to Monitor Performance

   Again, you should not neglect monitoring the performance of your outsourcing partner. Regularly assess the quality, timeliness, and relevance of the curated content. Implement performance metrics and conduct periodic evaluations to ensure that your outsourcing partner is meeting your content marketing approach.

7. Lack of Flexibility and Adaptability

   You should avoid rigidly sticking to predefined processes or strategies without allowing room for flexibility and adaptation. The content landscape is dynamic, and trends can change quickly. Your brand should be open to exploring new ideas and experimenting with different approaches, Adapt your content strategy based on feedback and evolving market needs.

8. Overlooking Legal and Ethical Considerations

   You should not overlook legal and ethical considerations when outsourcing content curation. In fact, it’s essential to ensure that your outsourcing partner adheres to copyright laws, data privacy regulations, and industry-specific guidelines. Failure to address these considerations can result in legal issues and damage to your brand’s reputation.

9. Lack of Continuous Improvement

   Do not view content curation as a one-time project. Continuous improvement is essential to refine your content strategy and enhance its effectiveness. Regularly review the results, gather feedback from the target audience, and analyze performance metrics to identify areas for improvement.

Key Takeaways

The decision to outsource content curation depends on various factors specific to each business. Considering the pros and cons and evaluating key factors helps your business make informed decisions about this endeavor.

Outsourcing can offer significant benefits, including access to specialized skills, cost-effectiveness, scalability, and time savings. However, challenges related to brand alignment, communication, and quality control must be managed effectively.

Meanwhile, applying best practices and fostering strong collaborations with outsourced content curators optimizes your content curation efforts. It also enhances your online presence and achieves your marketing goals successfully.

Open Access BPO has a dedicated team of agents specializing in web research to procure the most relevant content that will benefit your brand. Using our expertise in market research and customer service, we at Open Access BPO can assure you that you will have only the catchiest content for your pages.

Contact us today to begin your partnership with us.

Collecting and filtering web content for your target audience can be daunting, especially for small businesses with too much in their hands. Is this enough reason to outsource content curation? Open Access BPO tackles the benefits of outsourcing these processes.

Content curation is the process of selecting web content from trusted resources and feeding the most relevant pieces of information to your audience. It can be a part of the bigger content management service, and it plays a vital role in achieving online marketing success.
Curators, or the ones in charge of the content curation process, are sometimes confused with content creators, but those two roles actually have different duties.

The creators — the writers, bloggers, graphic artists, video editors, and the animators — are the creatives who plan, develop, and produce content that is then scouted and collected by the curator. To put it in the musical context, creators are the artists who compose, perform, and record songs, and the curator is the DJ who plays requests and chooses songs that the listeners would likely be interested in.

The benefits of content curation outsourcing

Content curation can be a lot of work, considering that it needs careful selection from a plethora of resources available on the Internet. It also requires initial steps such as defining content categories, choosing tools, and monitoring sources to be able to cherry pick the most relevant data that your audience wants to discover about a certain topic.

By outsourcing, you free yourself from the complexities of the entire curation process. If you decide to subcontract your content curation needs, there would be a dedicated team with members who are assigned to accomplish the aforementioned tasks and steps. There’s also less room for error and more time saved if you partner with a service provider who’s well acquainted with the personality of your target demographic and the trends that affect the propagation of content. As a result, you and your internal staff can allot greater focus and resources to bigger endeavors that are directly tied to your company’s growth.

BPO services in the Philippines that include content curation

As stated earlier, content creation can be a part of content management, a business process outsourcing (BPO) service that is commonly outsourced to top BPO hubs like the Philippines. However, this can also be a part of a bigger digital marketing solution that includes blog management and social media marketing in its package.

The decision to outsource curation activities is highly advisable for small businesses that are lacking in this area or any organization that needs aid in launching its name to Internet prominence. If you ever decide to delegate this process to a third party entity, choose a vendor whose back office outsourcing unit specializes in digital marketing, web content creation, or blog management, for knowledge in these areas is helpful in curating content effectively. .