Using Content Aggregators and Directories

Once you've published a great piece of content, you want to get it in front of as many relevant people as possible. While social media and email are great for reaching your existing audience, how can you reach a new one?

One effective, though often overlooked, strategy is to submit your content to content aggregators and niche directories.

What are Content Aggregators and Directories?

• A Content Aggregator is a website or a platform that collects and curates content from various sources around a specific topic and presents it in one place. They are like a "news feed" for a particular industry.
• A Niche Directory is a curated list of high-quality blogs, resources, or businesses within a specific industry.

By getting your content featured on these platforms, you can tap into their pre-existing audience of people who are actively looking for high-quality content on your topic.

The Benefits of Using These Platforms

• Increased Reach and Exposure: It gets your content and your brand in front of a new and highly relevant audience.
• Drives Referral Traffic: A feature on a popular aggregator can drive a significant amount of engaged traffic back to your website.
• Can Lead to Backlinks and Social Shares: If your content is seen by other bloggers and influencers on these platforms, it can lead to them sharing it or even linking to it from their own sites.

Popular Content Aggregators and Communities

The right platform will depend on your industry. Here are some of the most well-known general platforms.

1. Reddit

Reddit is a massive collection of niche communities, or "subreddits," for almost any topic imaginable.

• How to use it: Find the subreddits that are relevant to your industry. Before you post your own content, become an active and helpful member of the community. Participate in discussions and share other valuable content. When you do share your own content, make sure it's genuinely helpful and not just self-promotional.

2. Quora

Quora is a question-and-answer platform.

• How to use it: Find questions related to the topic of your blog post. Write a detailed, helpful answer to the question, and then you can include a link back to your article as a source for more in-depth information.

3. Medium

Medium is a popular online publishing platform. You can republish your existing blog posts on Medium to reach its large, built-in audience. (This is a form of content syndication, so be sure to include a link at the bottom of the article that points back to the original post on your website).

4. Niche-Specific Aggregators

Many industries have their own popular content aggregation sites or community forums.

• Examples:
  • For tech and startups: Hacker News or Indie Hackers.
  • For designers: Designer News.
• How to find them: Do a search for "[your industry]" + "forums" or "[your industry]" + "community" to find the platforms where your peers and your audience are active.

Best Practices for Submission

• Read the Rules: Every community has its own set of rules regarding self-promotion. You must read and follow them, or you will be banned.
• Provide Value First: As with any form of community engagement, your primary goal should be to be a helpful member of the community. Don't just be a "link dropper."
• Submit Your Best Work: Only submit your most valuable, in-depth, and interesting pieces of content to these platforms. You want to make a great first impression.
• Engage with the Discussion: If you submit your content and people start to comment on it, you must stick around to participate in the conversation and to answer any questions.

Conclusion

Content aggregators and niche communities can be a powerful channel for extending the reach of your content beyond your own audience. By taking the time to find the right communities, by participating in an authentic and helpful way, and by sharing your best work, you can tap into a new source of relevant traffic and build your reputation as an expert in your field.