What is content syndication?

Discover how content syndication on popular platforms can boost the visibility of your blog. Benefits, drawbacks, and best practices inside.

Written by Christian St-Pierre, your guide to sustainable passive income.

* If you make a purchase by clicking on one of my links, I might receive a partner commission.

You are reading

What is content syndication?

Syndication de contenu

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, visibility is the Holy Grail every blogger seeks to achieve. With the plethora of content generated every day, standing out becomes a genuine challenge.

This is where content syndication comes into play. By distributing your content across various platforms, you can not only reach a broader audience but also establish your authority in your niche.

While many bloggers have seized the opportunity, it’s crucial to understand the specific benefits of this strategy.

What Are the Benefits of Content Syndication?

  1. Expanding Reach: Syndication allows your content to reach audiences on different platforms, thereby increasing the number of people exposed to your message.
  2. Building Authority: By sharing your content on reputable platforms, you can establish your reputation as an expert in your field.
  3. Improving SEO: With the right backlinks and the implementation of canonical tags, syndication can boost your SEO, driving more traffic to your original site.
  4. Increased Engagement: Readers who discover and appreciate your content on syndicated platforms can become loyal followers of your main blog.
  5. Cost-Effectiveness: Instead of spending resources to attract traffic to your site, syndication leverages existing platforms to maximize the visibility of your existing content.

Now that we’ve explored the benefits of syndication and looked at some success stories, let’s dive into the specific platforms that can elevate your content to the next level.

Flipboard

Flipboard is a dynamic content curation platform that allows users to create and customize their own digital “magazines.”

What makes Flipboard a smart choice for those looking to generate passive income is its ability to aggregate relevant content from a multitude of sources.

By integrating articles and blogs related to affiliate marketing or other money-making strategies, you can create a consistent flow of information for your readers. The key to success on Flipboard, as with all platforms, is the relevance and quality of the content.

By selecting and sharing high-quality resources on the art of making money online, especially through affiliate marketing, you can position your Flipboard magazine as a go-to resource for those looking to increase their passive income.

  • Pros: Reach a new audience with a captivating magazine interface.
  • Cons: Risk of getting lost in the crowd if not actively promoted.
  • Best Practice: Use high-quality images to stand out.

Example: Gary Vaynerchuk is a well-known entrepreneur, author, and influencer with an active presence on various social media platforms, including Flipboard.

On Flipboard, he has shared articles and content related to entrepreneurship, motivation, and various money-making strategies, including concepts around passive income.

By using Flipboard, he was able to extend his reach and engage a diverse audience, which bolsters his personal brand and, by extension, his income.

Scoop.it

Scoop.it stands out as a content curation platform where users can “scoop” or select, organize, and share the best content they find on the web.

For passive income enthusiasts and those looking to make money through affiliate marketing, Scoop.it offers a golden opportunity to position oneself as an expert in the field.

By curating and sharing relevant articles, tutorials, and other resources on online income generation, you can build an engaged audience that views your Scoop.it page as an essential reference.

Moreover, by incorporating relevant affiliate links and directing traffic to your own offers or blogs, you can effectively monetize your presence on the platform. As always, the key is to provide real value to your audience, highlighting the most informative and relevant content on the subject of passive income.

  • Pros: Establish authority in a specific field through curation.
  • Cons: Limitations for free users.
  • Best Practice: Engage with other curators to broaden your reach.

Example: A well-known figure in the digital marketing realm is Martin (Marty) Smith. Marty Smith was one of the early and enthusiastic users of Scoop.it, and he shared numerous content pieces on digital marketing, e-commerce, and other related topics.

Google Publisher Center

The Google Publisher Center is a centralized platform that allows publishers to manage how their content appears on Google products, including Google News.

For those focusing on the realm of passive income and looking to make money, this platform is a boon.

By ensuring your content is correctly formatted and optimized for distribution on Google products, you increase your chances of reaching a broader audience interested in affiliate marketing and other forms of online income.

One of the main advantages of the Google Publisher Center is that it values high-quality content, giving publishers the chance to stand out in a saturated environment. Incorporating relevant information on income generation, affiliate strategies, and tips for maximizing earnings can position you favorably in Google’s recommendations.

It’s a savvy way to leverage the Google ecosystem to amplify your passive income efforts.

  • Pros: Drastic increase in visibility on Google products.
  • Cons: Need to adhere to strict standards to avoid penalties.
  • Best Practice: Ensure content is original and of high quality.

LinkedIn Publishing

LinkedIn is not just a network for professionals seeking to make connections; it’s also a powerful publishing platform.

For those in the passive income realm and looking to earn money through their knowledge, LinkedIn is the perfect place to share articles and advice on affiliate marketing and other monetization methods.

By targeting a professional audience, you have a unique opportunity to position yourself as an expert in the field of passive income, offering valuable insights to those looking to diversify their income streams.

  • Pros: Directly targets the professional audience. Can increase visibility in a specific field.
  • Cons: Content can get lost among a multitude of posts. Less flexibility in terms of design and formatting.
  • Best Practices: Post summaries or excerpts of your article with a link to the full content on your website.

Example: Bill Gates regularly shares his insights and perspectives on global issues.

Medium

Medium is more than just a blogging platform; it’s a space where thinkers, writers, and enthusiasts from around the world come together to share their ideas.

If you’re looking to develop a passive income stream, Medium offers a unique opportunity to monetize your content through its Partner program.

By writing on topics such as making money online or top affiliate techniques, you can not only establish your expertise but also earn an income from readers who value your work.

The trick is to provide valuable content that guides and educates your readers on effective methods for increasing their passive income.

  • Pros: Access to a broad, built-in readership. Sleek and professional writing interface.
  • Cons: Risk of duplicate content if not properly tagged. Sharing rights with Medium for articles.
  • Best Practices: Use Medium’s import tool to include a canonical tag.

Example: A prime example of someone who has thrived on Medium is Benjamin Hardy. He’s an author, a psychologist, and was one of the top writers on Medium for several years.

Benjamin used Medium to share his insights on psychology, productivity, and personal growth.

His articles often got featured on Medium’s homepage, allowing him to reach millions of readers.

Owing to his popularity on Medium, Benjamin Hardy was also able to promote his books and other ventures.

His use of Medium serves as a great example of how the platform can be utilized to establish expertise in a field, create a loyal fan base, and potentially generate additional revenue through opportunities outside the platform.

Reddit

Reddit, often dubbed “the front page of the Internet,” is a melting pot of opinions, stories, and discussions.

With the right subreddits, like r/PassiveIncome or r/AffiliateMarketing, you can dive deep into communities passionate about making money online.

By sharing tips, case studies, or tutorials on creating passive income through affiliate marketing, you can not only gain visibility but also engage in enriching discussions with other enthusiasts.

However, keep in mind the importance of authenticity on Reddit; blatant promotion is generally frowned upon.

  • Pros: Access to specific niches via “subreddits”. Active and engaged community.
  • Cons: Strong aversion to promotional content. Reddit’s etiquette can be challenging to navigate for newcomers.
  • Best Practices: Share genuine content and engage in discussions without being overly promotional.

Example: On Reddit, a prime example is GallowBoob (real name Robert Allam). Robert is one of Reddit’s most prolific and recognized users. He has a unique ability to unearth and share content that goes viral, earning him millions of karma points (Reddit’s “upvotes”).

Robert has not only gained significant notoriety on Reddit, but he’s also managed to turn this popularity into a career. He has been hired by various companies to assist with online content strategy due to his unique expertise on what resonates with the Reddit community.

This example illustrates how a dedicated Reddit user can not only earn recognition within the platform but also manage to convert that recognition into real-world professional opportunities outside of the platform.

Quora

Quora is the crossroads of questions and answers on just about any imaginable topic, including how to make money online.

By expertly answering questions about affiliate marketing or other passive income strategies, you can not only help others but also establish your reputation as an authority in the field.

The more your answers are appreciated and shared, the more likely you are to attract traffic to your own resources or affiliate offers.

  • Pros: Opportunity to showcase expertise. Access to users seeking specific information.
  • Cons: Requires regular engagement for significant visibility. Overly promotional answers may be frowned upon.
  • Best Practices: Provide in-depth and genuine answers. Cite your content as a supplementary source when appropriate.

Example: Adam D’Angelo, CEO of Quora, answers questions on entrepreneurship and technology, thereby establishing his expertise.

Points to consider during syndication

Platforms like Medium and LinkedIn Publishing also offer opportunities for syndication, but it’s essential to keep the issue of duplicate content in mind. For example, Neil Patel, a digital marketing expert, always recommends using canonical tags to direct search engines to the original content.

Why not syndicate everything?

Example: The company SEOGenius noticed a drop in its ranking after syndicating all of its content without precautions.

Examples of blogs and their approaches.

  1. Travel Blogs: Bloggers like Nomadic Matt or World of Wanderlust often syndicate their articles on platforms such as Medium or Flipboard to reach travel-enthusiast audiences.

  2. Culinary Blogs: Bloggers like Minimalist Baker or Smitten Kitchen might share recipes on culinary curation sites to attract foodies.

  3. Digital Marketing Blogs: Experts like Neil Patel or Brian Dean use syndication to share their knowledge on platforms like LinkedIn Publishing, thus reaching professionals looking to enhance their marketing skills.

  4. Fashion Blogs: Bloggers like Chiara Ferragni or Sincerely Jules might use visual platforms like Pinterest to syndicate their outfit photos, thereby attracting fashion enthusiasts.

    These examples illustrate how various bloggers leverage syndication to bolster their online presence and expand their audience. The key lies in choosing platforms aligned with the blog’s theme and target audience.

Newsletter

Daily dose of inspiration: Monetization, Affiliation & Passive Income.

Share this article
Tags