How-To & Productivity · 3 min read
How to Curate Content: A Step-by-Step Workflow
Short answer
To curate content, define who you're curating for, collect trusted sources into a searchable list, filter for links others found useful, read and pick the best, write one line of your own for each, credit the source and spread the posts out.
Key takeaways
- Curation is a seven-step loop: audience, sources, filter, read, comment, credit, schedule.
- Twenty minutes a day is enough once the source list exists.
- Review monthly which sources and which kinds of links earned replies.
This is the whole workflow in one place, from a blank page to a week of curated posts. It's written for X but works for LinkedIn, a newsletter or a team chat channel with small changes.
Step 1: Who are you curating for?
Write one sentence describing the reader, because every later decision depends on it.
"Product managers at small software companies who want practical advice on onboarding" is a reader. "People interested in tech" is not. The sentence decides what's relevant, what level to pitch at, and which sources to trust.
Step 2: Where will the content come from?
From a saved list of 5 to 15 sources you trust, not from whatever the timeline shows you.
Mix individuals who share good work, publications in your field, and one or two specific keywords. How to build a source list goes through this in detail. Save the list as a crate in the Crate Builder so you can reopen it in one click.
Step 3: How do you filter the noise?
Ask X to show only posts with links, without replies, above a likes floor.
(from:source_one OR from:source_two OR url:example.com) filter:links -filter:replies min_faves:20
The likes floor is the single most useful filter. It means someone other than the author found the post worth a tap before you spend time on it. Adjust it until most results are at least worth opening.
Step 4: How do you choose what to share?
Read the candidates and keep only those that pass a quick quality test.
Is it true? Is it for your reader? Is it new to them? Is it the best version of this idea? Can you add a sentence? The full test is in what makes content worth curating. Most links fail at least one question, which is the point.
Step 5: What do you write?
One line that tells the reader why this matters to them.
| Bare | Curated |
|---|---|
| New post on pricing | If you charge per seat, the section on usage-based tiers is worth ten minutes |
| Great thread | A support lead explains how they cut first-reply time in half. Steps 2 and 4 are the useful ones |
Step 6: How do you credit the source?
Name the author's X handle, and add "via @handle" if someone else led you to it.
Crediting is courtesy and also good practice: the author often replies or reposts, which brings the post to their audience too.
Step 7: When do you post?
Spread the posts across the day or week instead of posting them as you find them.
Put each finished post in the Share Queue. Reorder so topics alternate, fill in dates and times, and either post from the queue or export a CSV for a scheduler. Keep a balance with your own work; the Content Mix Planner helps you set it.
How do you improve over time?
Once a month, look at which curated posts got replies, saves or reposts, and which sources they came from.
Drop sources that never produce anything you share. Add one new source. Notice which kinds of comments led to conversation; usually it's the specific ones. Then run the loop again. After a few months you'll spend less time per post and your feed will be noticeably better.
How does curation fit with your other work?
It works best as a short fixed slot each day, after your most important work.
Curation can expand to fill any amount of time. Give it a fixed slot, such as fifteen minutes after your first focus block, and stop when the timer goes.
Questions
How long does content curation take each day?
Once you have a source list, 15 to 30 minutes a day covers reading, choosing and writing for a few posts. Building the list the first time takes an hour or two.
What tools do I need?
A way to search your sources (X advanced search, which the Crate Builder sets up), a place to draft posts (a queue or a document), and optionally a scheduler.
How many links should I share a day?
Fewer than you think. One to three well-chosen links with good comments usually beat ten bare links.
Can I automate content curation?
You can automate finding candidates, for example with saved searches. Choosing and commenting should stay human, and automated reposting of feeds tends to read as spam.