Blog Talk: Creating vs Curating
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March 2, 2019
When it comes to the world of blogging, the community is full of a wide variety of bloggers – from personal style to fashion reporting and from creators to curators. But what’s the difference and why does it matter?
I want to start by saying that both types of blogs require hard work and talent to garner a following. They are both respectable arts, but by the end of this post, you will learn why I prefer one over the other.
In order to distinguish a difference, we first have to define each term. Creating is pretty obvious; it’s making something brand new from either nothing, or individual parts that come together to be something new and different. Curating, according to dictionary.com, is “to pull together, sift through, and select for presentation.” We are all curators in a sense–from our wardrobe to our home decor–but how do we go from curator to creator?
If you think about it, creation actually requires curation. In order to create an original image, the props, styling, etc. have to be curated by the creative director and stylist; in order to create an original dish, the ingredients have to be curated by the cook; in order to create an original body of text, the information must be collected, sorted by relevancy, and curated. Creators simply take the extra step in adding meaning and relevance to curation.
Think about your favorite blog, or even just any successful blog. What will you find there? Mostly likely it is purely original content: no stolen photos (yes, using photos that are not your own is illegal and considered stealing in most cases), no excessive quoting, no reblogging. Creating something new, as opposed to simply sharing something old, is held with more value in the blogging world.
My goal here isn’t to put down the curators (heck, I love curating – just look at my Pinterest or tumblr), but instead, I’d like to inspire creation. So I challenge you all to go the extra step to create something new, something original. Even if you don’t view yourself as a creative person, I encourage you to give it a shot. You just might surprise yourself.
Are you a creator or a curator? Which do you prefer in a blog?
Photo by Johnny Cheng.
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February 17, 2014 @ 9:00 am
Great post, Megan! I commend you for putting this out there. I agree with you and I prefer blogs with original content. I would consider myself and my blog the creator type.
Your blog is outstanding and I love your take on everything you write about. keep up the fabulous work.
XO, Gina
February 17, 2014 @ 9:23 am
Thanks so much! I was really nervous about posting this, but I went ahead did it anyway. Thanks for the positive feedback and I love your blog as well! 🙂
February 17, 2014 @ 9:38 am
I love this, such a good explanation of creating vs curating.. definitely will be keeping this in mind with my future posts. Thank you!
February 17, 2014 @ 9:44 am
So glad you liked it! Thank you! 🙂
February 17, 2014 @ 9:53 am
I always thought of myself as a creator, but you’ve got me worried now! I definitely prefer creative blogs, so here’s hoping that’s what mine is 😉
xo
Dolce
http://www.mydailysweet.com
Check out my blog for a huge $500 giveaway!
February 17, 2014 @ 5:37 pm
Just be authentic and it will all be ok! 🙂
February 17, 2014 @ 9:57 am
I totally agree with this – I much prefer to read blogs that have unique, self-created content, vs blogs that just share images and inspiration they found elsewhere (like pinterest).
The Style Scribe
February 17, 2014 @ 5:37 pm
Glad to hear you agree! I feel the exact same way.
February 17, 2014 @ 10:01 am
This is a really good point! I agree, both have their merits and are a lot of hard work, but the blogs that hold and keep my attention are the ones that create unique content, beautiful photographs, etc. Thanks for sharing! xx, Elizabeth
http://www.octoberjune.com
February 17, 2014 @ 5:38 pm
Yeah, there’s just something a little more special about blogs that create. 🙂
February 17, 2014 @ 3:42 pm
I probably read a good balance of both. I always try my best to have creative original content, which is why I started blogging in the first place, but curation definitely has its place–especially for inspiring new things. I think a really good blog focused ultimately on curation usually means that the writer has a super keen eye for styling and design, something I like to do but am not an expert at. Yet for me, creating new things seems to be what I’m better at. Very interesting & inspiring post!
February 17, 2014 @ 5:40 pm
I definitely think it takes curating to create. I just love it when I go to a blog and see beautiful photos that are original to the blog. I love seeing new things as opposed to just simply sharing – which is definitely important too! There’s just something super inspiring in original content for me 🙂
February 17, 2014 @ 5:37 pm
I love this! After years of using tumblr and simply reblogging whatever I’d like on my blog, it can be hard to create a brand new post everyday. I am really trying to make an effort to make my blog all my words and entirely original, but there is certainly a world of difficulties that come along with creating. Creating original content is so rewarding though, it is definitely worth the extra work!
February 17, 2014 @ 5:41 pm
I totally agree! But you’re right, it takes a lot more effort, time and resources. I’m lucky enough to have access to a photographer, which makes a world of difference!
February 17, 2014 @ 6:06 pm
I need some tea now! and I totally agree with this
With A City Dream With A City Dream
February 17, 2014 @ 7:01 pm
Glad to hear you agree! And enjoy your tea 🙂
February 17, 2014 @ 9:17 pm
What an interesting post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic. As a fairly new blogger I always find myself struggling to stay unique.
http://neatly-packaged.blogspot.com/
February 17, 2014 @ 9:34 pm
Thanks! Glad I could bring a little bit of perspective to the topic! 🙂
February 17, 2014 @ 9:30 pm
Hey! You make a really great point, and I basically agree with you! For me personally, I always try my best to post original content, but I can’t help but from time to time to curate. I do this when I come across a particularly inspiring fashion editorial or photos from tumblr (I rarely do this though), and it helps to fill the one or two days every few months that I have awkward gaps on my blog schedule and can’t think of what to post–and it’s also so much easier when you’re on the rush!
<(") Hoda
JooJoo Azad ~ Free Bird
February 17, 2014 @ 9:34 pm
I completely agree! I do curated posts about once/week (favorite things!) and I think most other bloggers do that too. I think it’s important to do both and curating is ideal for shopping, wish lists, etc.! I think there’s a place for both arts, there’s just no denying that my personal preference is creating!
February 17, 2014 @ 10:03 pm
Haha agreed! My personal preference is creating, as well! c;
<(")
February 17, 2014 @ 10:43 pm
I like to think I’m a little bit of both. 🙂 I’d also like to think that if I had time, I’d be 100% of a creator, but it’s hard for someone who can’t make writing their life to do so. I totally agree with you though!
allisonleighann.
February 18, 2014 @ 8:13 am
Yeah, I curate about once/week. That being said, though, I don’t use images or other work I am not authorized to use, which is very important. Thanks for contributing your thoughts!
February 18, 2014 @ 12:50 am
I try hard to create more than anything, but I definitely think that curating can be really relaxing, and it’s kind of nice to just share something cool you found.
That said, one of my blog turn-offs are people who just post images they find on pinterest and write a paragraph or so about it.
Another blog turn-off is when people CITE google or pinterest as THE SOURCE of their image. You couldn’t take the extra 2.5 seconds to figure out where it actually came from? Bleh 😛 If you’re going to curate, at least give credit.
February 18, 2014 @ 8:10 am
I completely agree! It’s actually completely, 100% illegal, no matter if you cite the source or not. I think I’ll have to write a post about it to spread the word. Thanks for your input!
February 18, 2014 @ 3:57 am
Beautifully written, Megan! I think about this a lot. I most definitely value creation over curation but I like how you pointed out that creation requires curation, even things like writing. I’m inspired!!
February 18, 2014 @ 8:09 am
That means so much to me! I’m so glad I could inspire you. Can’t wait to see what you come up with next 😀
February 18, 2014 @ 10:52 am
This is a really great + inspiring article, Megan! Creation > curation, any day. I have a difficult time with finding the right items + scenes of every day life to take photos of, but I am a new blogger, so I am sure it comes with time. Thanks for this article. It sparked my creativity today!
February 18, 2014 @ 12:51 pm
Yay!! That is so great to hear. Let me know if you ever have any questions about blogging!
February 18, 2014 @ 2:03 pm
I definitely agree with this! Sometimes it scares me when I write a blog that I’m simply just pulling from others and it definitely makes me step back and realize that my personal voice is just as important.
February 18, 2014 @ 2:40 pm
It really is! People want a unique perspective and you have that 🙂
February 18, 2014 @ 2:14 pm
I definitely prefer creating over curating, but I do have a personal tumblr just for the days when I feel like reblogging for hours. I agree that creating takes curating though. How else are you supposed to get inspiration for posts??
February 18, 2014 @ 2:41 pm
Curating is a great way to gather inspiration! I use Pinterest when planning photo shoots all the time 🙂
February 20, 2014 @ 3:11 am
Really true and and honest post. I prefer the creators blogs as well. It’s more inspiration in it.
http://theshortiesfashion.blogspot.co.uk/
May 11, 2014 @ 12:02 pm
So true! I’m glad you agree!
February 21, 2014 @ 7:11 pm
wonderful post! i am all about using your own pictures!! even though mine are not the best out there, they are mine and i am surprisingly even getting better at taking pictures!!
February 22, 2014 @ 9:42 am
Thank you! I’m glad to see you agree! It really makes a difference 🙂
October 10, 2014 @ 2:08 pm
Yes, creative content is the most engaging. I do like to see the occasional use of curation such as favourite things segments, recipe round-ups, etc, but used sparingly to supplement the original work. I haven’t really embarked seriously into blogging yet, but am starting to do a little research so I can get an idea of what works well (and what doesn’t, lol). Thanks for giving me another perspective to consider.