The Case for Curation as a Service: The Right Way to Set Goals for Growth

The Case for Curation as a Service: The Right Way to Set Goals for Growth

In today's digital age, where information overload is a constant struggle, curators serve as life preservers for the web. They are the ones who dive into the vast sea of content and rescue the gems from the garbage. These individuals are either domain experts or have an unhealthy obsession with a particular topic, enabling them to sift through the clutter and find the best resources available. A good curator is not just focused on quantity, but rather on providing quality content to their audience.

The value of curation as a service cannot be overstated. With the abundance of information available online, it can be overwhelming for users to find reliable and relevant resources. This is where curators step in, dedicating countless hours to scouring the web and handpicking the most valuable content. By doing so, they save users precious time and effort, delivering curated collections that are tailored to specific interests or needs.

But what does it take to be a good curator? It goes beyond simply finding and compiling content. A great curator also invests significant time in formatting the curated resources in a readable and accessible manner. This ensures that users can easily navigate through the curated collection and extract the information they need without any hassle. The focus is on delivering a seamless user experience, where the curated content is presented in a way that is visually appealing and easy to digest.

In the realm of growth and goal-setting, there is a parallel to be drawn between curation and business objectives. The right way to set goals for growth is by focusing on absolute numbers rather than relative metrics. For example, instead of aiming for a percentage increase in user engagement, teams should set goals based on the number of active users and a decrease in churned users. These absolute numbers provide a clear and tangible measure of success.

It is important to note that teams should take credit for their own actions and efforts, rather than relying on external factors. Setting goals based on what happens naturally may not accurately reflect the impact of the team's work. For instance, if a team focuses on growing traffic in a lower converting country like Germany, while neglecting a higher converting country like the U.S., they may achieve their traffic goals but fail to meet their signup goals. By setting absolute goals, teams can take ownership of their actions and strive for measurable outcomes.

When it comes to growth, the activation rate is a crucial metric to monitor. This metric represents the ratio of activated users to total users. To influence this metric, there are two approaches that can be taken: either change the number of activated users or change the number of total users. By understanding the factors that affect these numbers, teams can strategically work towards increasing activation rates and driving growth.

In conclusion, curation as a service plays a vital role in today's information-driven world. It provides users with a lifeline amidst the overwhelming abundance of content, saving them time and effort. Good curators focus on quality over quantity, ensuring that the curated resources are valuable and easily accessible. When it comes to setting goals for growth, absolute numbers are key. Teams should take ownership of their actions and strive for measurable outcomes. By understanding the activation rate metric, teams can make informed decisions to drive growth. To make the most of these insights, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Invest in quality curation: If you have a passion or expertise in a specific domain, consider becoming a curator. Dedicate time to sift through the vast amount of content available and provide curated collections that offer value to your audience.

2. Set absolute goals for growth: Instead of relying on relative metrics, set goals based on absolute numbers such as active users and churned users. This will provide a clear measure of success and allow your team to take credit for their efforts.

3. Focus on activation rates: To drive growth, monitor and analyze the activation rate metric. Identify the factors that influence this metric and strategically work towards increasing activation rates by either changing the number of activated users or total users.

By embracing curation as a service, setting absolute goals, and understanding activation rates, businesses can navigate the digital landscape more effectively and drive sustainable growth.