Business Model Generation: Value proposition

Curation

Help customers make decisions by making sense of overwhelming choice

Illustration of Curation
Run a Curation play

Element

Also called: Curated retail

See also: Affiliation

Key Partners Key Activities Value Propositions Customer Relationships Customer Segments
Key Resources Channels
Cost Structures Revenue Streams
The business model canvas was designed by Business Model Fondry AG and distributed under a Creative Commons license.

How: Collect available options and guide customer choice by identifying the best. Profit through Hidden Revenue streams like ads, affiliate fees, or sponsorship. Revenue is typically proportionate to your readership size.

Why: Profit from the best collection of content rather than from manufacturing goods.

This business strategy is part of the Business Model Patterns printed card deck.

Proven business models that have driven success for global leaders across industries. Rethink how your business can create, deliver, and capture value.

Get your deck!

In the face of this information overload, the curation business model offers a solution by collecting and presenting a selection of products and assisting consumers in making informed decisions. This can be done online, eliminating the need for physical showrooms or even the need to purchase the products oneself. By providing recommendations and potentially earning a commission through affiliate links, a business can thrive by guiding consumers towards the best options available.

There are a variety of reasons why creators, influencers, and brands may choose to curate content, including building a personal brand or audience, filling a market need, creating a new category within an existing business, or generating additional revenue.

With the abundance of creators, content, and choice available, consumers may find themselves in a state of “analysis paralysis,” unable to absorb all of the information presented to them. In this environment, the true scarcity is not content, but attention. Consumers must pick and choose what is most important to them or seek out individuals who can curate the information for them. As the market for credible curators grows, so does the willingness of consumers to pay for high-quality content. The Everything Bundle, created by Nathan Baschez and Dan Shipper, is a prime example of the success that can be achieved through intentional bundling in a climate of “unbundling.”

Applying the Curation business model

There are various ways to monetize curation, such as paid newsletters, blogs, ebooks, e-commerce stores, and consulting or speaking engagements. There are several factors to consider:

  • Initial cultivation of traction
  • Shifting focus from the individual to the media brand
  • How to continue scaling and keep adding value

Unfortunately, many individuals and websites attempt to curate products in a haphazard or superficial manner. Simply listing links to a variety of products without providing guidance on how to choose the right one or establishing principles for selection can result in a disorganized catalogue or a collection of outdated affiliate links for unavailable items. Successful and popular curation involves careful selection and thoughtful presentation to assist the reader in making informed decisions.

Examples

Jetsetter

Jetsetter collects and curates the most interesting travel deals and earns affiliate fees for any customer taking the bait.

Stitch Fix

With more than 3000 stylists, customers receive a monthly box of clothes curated to the style of the individual customer.

Trigger Questions

  • How can you communicate your expertise and trustworthiness to get customers to follow your lead?
  • How can you tailor curations to specific segments or individuals?

This business strategy is part of the Business Model Patterns printed card deck.

Proven business models that have driven success for global leaders across industries. Rethink how your business can create, deliver, and capture value.

Get your deck!

Related plays

Want to learn more?

Receive a hand picked list of the best reads on building products that matter every week. Curated by Anders Toxboe. Published every Tuesday.

No spam! Unsubscribe with a single click at any time.

Ice Breakers

Relieve initial group awkwardness and establish a safe space

Educate

Broaden knowledge or insight regarding the behavior or situation to inform decisions.

Demonstrate

Show practical examples or models of the desired behavior for clear guidance.

Alert

Highlight current actions and their reasons, bringing unconscious habits to awareness.

Train

Develop necessary skills and competencies to enable effective action.

Community events
Product Loop

Product Loop provides an opportunity for Product professionals and their peers to exchange ideas and experiences about Product Design, Development and Management, Business Modelling, Metrics, User Experience and all the other things that get us excited.

Join our community

Made with in Copenhagen, Denmark

Want to learn more about about good product development, then browse our product playbooks.