Video Curator — What Is Video Curation?

What is Video Curation?

Video curation is the process of discovering, selecting, and organizing videos from various sources to create a curated collection that is relevant and valuable to a specific audience. It involves carefully curating and presenting videos in a way that tells a story, educates, entertains, or informs viewers.

Unlike traditional content creation, video curation focuses on finding and sharing existing videos rather than creating new ones. With the vast amount of video content available on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and social media networks, video curators play a crucial role in filtering through the noise to present the best videos that align with a particular theme, topic, or audience.

A video curator acts as a digital librarian, carefully curating videos that are worth watching and sharing. They have a deep understanding of their target audience and the specific niche or topic they are curating. This expertise allows them to identify videos that resonate with their audience’s interests, needs, or preferences.

Video curation can take many forms, including creating playlists, thematic collections, video series, or even interactive experiences. The curated videos are often enhanced with annotations, comments, or additional context to provide a more engaging and informative experience.

Moreover, video curation is not limited to just collecting videos from external sources. It can also involve re-purposing, remixing, or combining existing videos to create new and unique content. This approach allows curators to add their own perspective, commentary, or analysis to the videos, adding value and creating a more personalized experience for viewers.

Overall, video curation is a way to sift through the vast ocean of video content available online and create a curated collection that provides value, context, and meaningful experiences to viewers. It enables individuals, businesses, or organizations to showcase the best videos in their niche, establish their authority, and engage with their audience in a more immersive way.

The Role of a Video Curator

A video curator plays a critical role in the world of digital media by identifying, organizing, and presenting videos that align with a specific theme, topic, or audience. They act as a bridge between the vast amount of video content available and the viewers who are seeking curated, valuable, and relevant videos.

One of the main responsibilities of a video curator is to search for high-quality videos from various sources, including popular video platforms, social media channels, and niche-specific websites. They have a keen eye for spotting videos that deliver exceptional storytelling, educational value, entertainment, or unique perspectives.

Once the videos are gathered, the video curator meticulously organizes and categorizes them in a way that makes sense for the target audience. This includes creating playlists, collections, or thematic series that provide a cohesive viewing experience. By carefully selecting and arranging the videos, the curator shapes the narrative and guides viewers on a curated journey.

Another crucial role of a video curator is to add context and value to the curated videos. They may include annotations, descriptions, or commentary to provide additional insights, background information, or different perspectives. This extra layer of information helps viewers better understand and appreciate the videos, fostering a deeper connection and engagement.

Moreover, a video curator acts as a filter and curator-in-chief, ensuring that the curated videos meet a certain standard of quality and relevance. They have a deep understanding of their target audience’s preferences, interests, and needs, allowing them to curate videos that resonate with their audience. This helps save viewers’ time and effort by presenting them with the most valuable videos in a particular niche or topic.

Furthermore, a video curator can also play the role of a content creator by re-purposing, remixing, or combining existing videos to create new and unique content. They may add their own voice, insights, or analysis to the videos, offering a fresh perspective and adding value to the curated collection.

Benefits of Video Curation

Video curation offers various benefits for both the curators and the viewers. Here are some of the key advantages of video curation:

Time-saving for viewers: With the abundance of video content available online, viewers can easily get overwhelmed. Video curation helps save time by presenting them with curated collections that contain the best videos in a specific niche or topic. It allows viewers to discover valuable and relevant videos without having to spend hours searching and sifting through countless options.
Quality control: Video curators are experts in identifying high-quality videos that offer exceptional storytelling, educational value, or entertaining content. By handpicking and curating the videos, they ensure that the curated collection maintains a certain standard of quality, allowing viewers to trust the content they’re consuming.
Discoverability: Video curation provides a platform for lesser-known or underrepresented video content creators to gain exposure and reach a wider audience. Curators can highlight videos from emerging talents or niche-specific creators, helping them gain visibility and recognition.
Enhanced engagement: Video curation goes beyond simply sharing videos. Curators add their own commentary, context, or insights to the curated videos, creating a more engaging and interactive experience for viewers. This interactive element encourages viewers to participate in discussions, share their thoughts, and deepen their connection with the content and the curator.
Establishing authority: By curating and presenting the best videos in a specific niche, a video curator can establish themselves as an authority or thought leader in that domain. Viewers trust curators who consistently deliver valuable and relevant content, and this trust can translate into increased credibility, influence, and opportunities within the industry.
Building a community: Video curation brings like-minded individuals together by creating a shared space for viewers with similar interests. Curators can foster a sense of community by encouraging discussions, collaborations, and interactions among viewers. This community-building aspect can lead to long-lasting relationships, loyal followers, and a sense of belonging within the curated video ecosystem.

How to Become a Video Curator

Becoming a video curator requires a passion for video content, a keen eye for quality, and a deep understanding of the target audience. Here are some steps to help you embark on the journey of becoming a video curator:

Identify your niche: Determine the specific theme, topic, or area of interest that you want to curate videos on. This could be anything from fashion and beauty to technology or travel. Having a clear focus will help you attract a dedicated audience and establish your expertise.
Develop your knowledge: Stay up-to-date with the latest trends, developments, and emerging talents within your chosen niche. Expand your knowledge by exploring different video platforms, social media channels, and industry-specific websites. This will help you discover valuable video content to curate and position yourself as a trustworthy curator.
Curate a collection: Start by curating a small collection of videos within your niche. Use platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or social media channels to create playlists or thematic collections. Consider the specific needs and preferences of your target audience when selecting the videos. Aim to create a curated experience that tells a story or provides educational value.
Add value and context: Enhance the curated videos with your own insights, commentary, or additional information. Offer a unique perspective that adds value to the videos and helps viewers better understand the content. This will set you apart as a curator who goes beyond simply aggregating videos.
Promote your curated content: Utilize social media platforms, personal websites or blogs, and relevant online communities to showcase your curated content. Engage with your audience by encouraging discussions, responding to comments, and sharing related content. Building a dedicated following will help you grow as a video curator and attract more opportunities.
Collaborate with others: Reach out to other video curators or content creators in your niche for collaborations or cross-promotions. By partnering with others, you can expand your reach and expose your curated content to a wider audience. Collaborations also enable you to learn from peers in the field and exchange ideas and insights.
Continuously refine your curation skills: Stay curious and keep honing your skills as a video curator. Pay attention to viewer feedback and adapt your curation techniques accordingly. Regularly explore new video platforms, industry trends, and content creation tools to stay ahead of the curve. Embrace experimentation and be open to trying new approaches to video curation.

Becoming a successful video curator takes time, dedication, and a genuine passion for the content you curate. By diligently curating valuable and relevant videos, engaging with your audience, and continuously refining your skills, you can establish yourself as a trusted curator in your chosen niche.

Tools and Platforms for Video Curation

Video curation involves utilizing various tools and platforms to discover, organize, and present curated video content. Here are some popular tools and platforms that can assist you in your video curation efforts:

YouTube: As the largest video-sharing platform, YouTube offers a wealth of video content that can be curated into playlists or thematic collections. You can create your own YouTube channel and curate videos by subscribing to channels, adding videos to playlists, and interacting with the YouTube community.
Vimeo: Vimeo is another popular video platform that caters to professionals, artists, and filmmakers. It allows you to curate videos by creating albums, channels, or collections. Vimeo also provides advanced privacy settings and customizable embed options, making it an ideal platform for curators who want more control over their curated content.
Social media platforms: Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are not only for sharing personal updates but also serve as valuable resources for video curation. You can follow relevant accounts and pages, save videos, or create lists to curate videos from different sources in one place. These platforms also provide opportunities for engagement and sharing with your curated video content.
Content aggregator tools: Several content aggregator tools like Feedly, Flipboard, and Pocket can help you curate videos from various sources. These tools allow you to follow specific topics, interests, or websites and collect videos in one centralized location. You can then organize and share the curated videos with your audience.
Content curation platforms: Platforms specifically designed for content curation, such as Curata, Scoop.it, or Wakelet, offer features to curate and present videos in a visually appealing and organized manner. These platforms often provide additional tools like annotations, tags, or content scheduling, making the curation process more efficient and streamlined.
Curated video websites: Platforms like TED.com, Upworthy, or Digg often curate and present high-quality, thought-provoking, or trending videos. These websites curate videos on various topics and provide a platform for video curators to discover and share curated content with their audience. Collaborating with such platforms or submitting your curated videos can increase your visibility as a video curator.
Video editing software: While video editing software might not be traditionally associated with video curation, it can be a valuable tool for curators who want to repurpose or remix existing videos. Software like Adobe Premiere Pro, iMovie, or Final Cut Pro allows curators to merge, trim, or add their own content to curated videos, creating a unique and personalized viewing experience.

These are just a few examples of the tools and platforms available for video curation. The choice of tools will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and the type of video curation you wish to pursue. Experiment with different platforms and tools to find the ones that align with your curation style and help you create a meaningful and engaging curated video collection.

Best Practices for Video Curation

Video curation requires careful selection, organization, and presentation of video content to create a curated collection that engages and provides value to viewers. Here are some best practices to consider when curating videos:

Define your target audience: Understand the interests, needs, and preferences of your target audience. This will help you curate videos that resonate with them and provide value. Tailor your curation strategy to meet the specific expectations of your audience.
Curate for quality: Focus on curating high-quality videos that offer exceptional storytelling, educational value, or entertainment. Maintain a high standard of quality by carefully assessing the videos for relevance, production value, and content quality.
Provide context and engage: Add value to the curated videos by providing context, commentary, or additional information. Offer insights, analysis, or personal perspectives to enhance the viewer’s understanding and engagement with the content.
Create a narrative: Curate videos in a way that tells a story or presents a cohesive narrative. Consider the flow and sequencing of the curated videos to create a meaningful and immersive experience for viewers.
Organize and categorize: Organize the curated videos in a logical and user-friendly manner. Use playlists, thematic collections, or categories to help viewers navigate through the curated content easily.
Update and refresh content: Regularly update your curated collection and add new videos to keep the content fresh and engaging. Remove outdated or irrelevant videos to maintain the quality and relevance of your curated collection.
Give credit to creators: When curating videos, ensure you give proper attribution to the original creators. Include information such as the video title, creator’s name, and a link to the original source. This not only acknowledges the creators’ work but also adds credibility to your curation efforts.
Encourage interaction: Foster engagement and interaction with your curated videos by encouraging viewers to comment, share their thoughts, or participate in discussions. Respond to comments and engage with your audience to build a sense of community around your curated content.
Promote your curated collection: Utilize social media platforms, personal websites or blogs, and online communities to promote and share your curated collection. Collaborate with other curators or content creators to expand your reach and attract new viewers.
Continuously learn and adapt: Stay updated with industry trends, evolving viewer preferences, and new video content sources. Embrace experimentation and learn from viewer feedback to improve your curation skills and create a more valuable and engaging curated collection.

By following these best practices, you can curate videos that offer unique perspectives, valuable information, and an immersive viewing experience for your audience. Remember to stay true to your target audience’s interests and continuously refine your curation techniques to provide the best-curated video content possible.

The Future of Video Curation

Video curation has become an increasingly popular and valuable form of content consumption in the digital world. As technology advances and user preferences evolve, video curation will continue to play a significant role in the way we discover, consume, and engage with video content. Here are some key trends and possibilities for the future of video curation:

Personalized curation: With the growing availability of user data and AI-powered algorithms, video curation is likely to become more personalized. Curators can leverage data insights to curate videos that are specifically tailored to individual preferences, interests, and viewing habits.
Interactive and immersive experiences: The future of video curation may include more interactive and immersive experiences. Curators could employ technologies like virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) to create captivating and interactive curated collections, allowing viewers to engage with the content in new and exciting ways.
Collaborative curation: Collaborative curation, where multiple curators come together to curate videos on a specific theme or topic, could gain momentum. This approach allows for diverse perspectives, a wider range of curated content, and increased expertise on a particular subject.
Integration with smart assistants: As voice-activated smart assistants and virtual assistants become more prevalent, video curation may be integrated into these platforms. Users could ask their smart assistants to curate and suggest videos based on their interests, making the curation process even more seamless and convenient.
Integration of live video: Integrating live video content into curated collections is another possibility for the future. Curators could curate and present live videos, such as live events or streaming sessions, providing real-time and engaging content for viewers.
User-generated curation: User-generated curation, where viewers themselves curate and share video collections, could become more prominent. This allows for a more community-driven approach to video curation and offers diverse perspectives and content recommendations from a trusted network.
Monetization opportunities: As video curation continues to grow, there could be increased monetization opportunities for curators. This could include sponsored content, partnerships with brands or video platforms, or revenue sharing models for curated video collections that generate significant engagement.
Integration with e-commerce: Video curation may merge with e-commerce platforms, allowing curators to showcase and recommend products through curated video collections. This integration could drive more engagement, conversions, and a seamless shopping experience for viewers.

These are just a few possibilities for the future of video curation. As advancements in technology and shifts in user behavior continue to shape the digital landscape, video curation will likely adapt and evolve to meet the changing needs and expectations of viewers. Embracing these trends and staying ahead of the curve will enable curators to create even more compelling and valuable curated video experiences in the future.

Examples of Successful Video Curation

Successful video curation involves selecting, organizing, and presenting videos in a way that resonates with the target audience and provides value. Here are some examples of successful video curation efforts across different industries:

TED Talks: TED Talks, known for their inspiring and thought-provoking speeches, curates a vast collection of videos from industry experts and thought leaders. They organize these talks based on various topics, allowing viewers to delve into specific areas of interest. TED’s curation is highly successful due to their stringent quality control, captivating storytelling, and ability to present complex ideas in a digestible format.
National Geographic: National Geographic curates a wide range of videos related to wildlife, nature, and exploration. Their curated content not only showcases the beauty of the natural world but also educates and raises awareness about environmental issues. National Geographic’s success lies in their exceptional visual storytelling, stunning cinematography, and commitment to delivering educational and impactful video content.
Vogue: Vogue, a renowned fashion magazine, curates videos that provide insights into the world of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. Their curated videos showcase runway shows, interviews with designers, beauty tutorials, and behind-the-scenes footage from fashion events. Vogue’s successful curation is a result of their ability to curate exclusive and unique content that appeals to fashion enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): MoMA curates a collection of videos that bring art to life. From artist interviews and exhibition previews to short films and documentation of art installations, their curated videos provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of contemporary art. MoMA’s successful curation is characterized by their ability to bridge the gap between traditional art forms and the digital medium.
Food Network: The Food Network curates a wide range of videos related to cooking, recipes, and culinary techniques. They feature curated videos from celebrity chefs, cooking competitions, and food travel shows. The Food Network’s success in video curation is attributed to their ability to inspire and entertain viewers with mouth-watering content, engaging storytelling, and practical cooking tips.
Red Bull: Red Bull curates videos that capture extreme sports, adventure, and adrenaline-fueled experiences. Their curated content features athletes pushing their physical limits and engaging in incredible feats. Red Bull’s success lies in their ability to curate content that not only fuels viewers’ excitement but also aligns with their brand values of energy, excitement, and pushing boundaries.

These are just a few examples of successful video curation efforts across various industries. Each of these examples demonstrates the importance of capturing the viewers’ interest, providing value, and establishing a curated experience that resonates with the target audience. By studying these successful cases, aspiring video curators can gain insight into effective curation strategies and techniques.