The Role of Community and How It Should Be in the Curator Economy

The Role of Community and How It Should Be in the Curator Economy

In today's digital age, the power of community cannot be underestimated. People are realizing the profitable potential of curating content and recognizing that there is a huge market for curators just as much as there is for content creators. What we choose to consume and share is never solely a personal decision. We are constantly seeking clues from our community about what is right or wrong, safe or dangerous, and how to improve ourselves. We look to our tribes for guidance on how to navigate this vast and overwhelming world.

A good curator goes beyond simply reposting images. They conduct thorough research, write insightful pieces, and carefully edit the content they present to their audience. The key to successful curation lies in the elements of closeness and trust. Micro-influencers are gaining more traction in the curator economy because they are more connected to their community, making them more relatable. Their opinions and recommendations hold more weight because they have built a genuine relationship with their audience.

The value of curated content lies not just in the act of distilling and distributing it, but in the expertise and judgment of the curator. It is important to know who stands behind the curated content you consume and whether their specific outlook adds value to what you are consuming. The articles themselves may be free, but the selection process is not. Diligent curation requires hard work and effort, and it is only fair to monetize this process. However, there is a problem when people monetize sloppy work and call it curation. This dilutes the true essence of curation and undermines the efforts of those who genuinely strive to inform and select valuable content.

As a knowledge-obsessed community, it is our responsibility to uphold the meaning of true curation. We must strive to rescue this art form from those who lack creativity and are solely driven by a hunger for money. By collectively teaching and learning from one another, we can navigate the oversaturated world of content and focus on what truly matters.

Recently, Whatnot, a livestreaming platform, raised $20 million in funding for its unique approach to selling collectibles such as Pokémon cards. Whatnot started as a platform for selling pins and expanded into the world of Pokémon cards. They developed a live shopping platform that functions similarly to a TV shopping network, but with ordinary people at home using their iPhones to sell collectibles to a community of fellow collectors.

Instagram Live was initially a popular platform for these livestreams, but it lacked the necessary features for bidding and handling payments after a sale occurs. Whatnot recognized this gap and built a platform specifically tailored to the needs of their community. This highlights the importance of understanding and addressing the unique requirements of a community when building a platform or service.

One fascinating aspect of Whatnot's livestreams is the concept of a "card break." Users pool their money to purchase an entire box of trading card packs, often ones that are no longer in production and can be quite expensive. Each user is assigned a number, which corresponds to a specific pack within the box. The packs are then opened on the livestream, and the contents are sent to the lucky owner associated with that pack's number. This interactive and engaging experience further strengthens the sense of community among collectors.

The success of Whatnot and similar platforms lies in their ability to foster a sense of community and provide a space for collectors to connect, buy, and sell items. This concept aligns with the idea that a good curator is not just a distributor of content but also a facilitator of connections and conversations within a community. Curators play a crucial role in bringing people together, creating spaces where like-minded individuals can interact and share their passion for a particular topic or interest.

In conclusion, the curator economy relies heavily on the power of community. As curators, it is important to recognize the responsibility we have in selecting and sharing valuable content. We must strive to uphold the true meaning of curation and not let it be overshadowed by those who prioritize profit over quality. Three actionable advice for curators in the community:

1. Foster genuine connections: Build relationships with your audience by engaging in meaningful conversations and actively listening to their feedback. This will help you understand their needs and preferences better.

2. Focus on quality over quantity: Avoid the temptation to prioritize quantity of content over its quality. Diligently research and curate content that adds value to your community. Your audience will appreciate the effort you put into selecting the best pieces for them.

3. Collaborate with other curators: Don't be afraid to collaborate with fellow curators within your niche. By working together, you can create a stronger and more diverse community that benefits everyone involved. Share insights and knowledge, and collectively elevate the standards of curation.

By following these actionable advice, curators can contribute to the growth and development of their community in a positive and meaningful way. The curator economy has the potential to reshape how we consume and interact with content, and it is up to us to ensure that it remains a space driven by expertise, authenticity, and genuine connections.