Your Old Content Has Value On Flipboard
Content older than 24 hours is a BIG no, no for most bloggers, especially on Flipboard. The algorithm is designed to show the most up-to-date information.
But some of your best articles were published five years ago. How do you get your readers to view your content and remain compliant?
Don’t put that great information into the round files just yet. If you have a good strategy, adding old content to Flipboard can still be beneficial.
In this article, I share some suggestions and best practices—many of which I have used myself.
The “Niche” Magazine
The Flipboard platform is designed to get people to narrow down on topics of their choice. This makes for a perfect environment to create a niche magazine.
Keeping this in mind, curate this format by looking for specific topics and personalizing your search to explore more interests.
- When creating a magazine, it’s important to target the people who are interested in the topics you cover. Flipboard helps by actively searching for new and relevant content to keep your magazine fresh and engaging. Your followers are more likely to be interested and keep reading if the platform ensures they’re exposed to content that matches their preferences.
- Make sure your articles are up-to-date. Don’t add irrelevant information. So freshen up your blog.
- Make sure you curate beautiful photography, Flipboard is a visual platform. If you are not a photographer, source your images from reputable royalty-free websites.
- Find articles that were reflipped often and add them. If I see popular articles appear on my “For You” feed, I am likely to read them even if they are “older”
- Use the “Note” feature to introduce your magazine; Here’s an example:
“Dear readers, this magazine is a collection of my most popular “DIY” articles. Enjoy”
- Your title and description are excellent avenues to introduce your niche magazine.
Here’s a sample of a “Niche” magazine that has worked for me. I love food history and created this magazine based on my passion.
Example: Food Through The Ages:
Pro Tip: To get more visibility: Share outside of the platform. This is a great opportunity to cross-pollinate this magazine on the Fediverse. Use the appropriate hashtags.
Seasonal Magazines
This is a great time to revive or recycle that seasonal magazine. This applies to Holidays, Travel, DIY, Entertainment, Sports, History and so much more.
Or you can start a new one with a whole new concept. Get creative, if movies are your topic, create a magazine like “Last Year’s Movie Binges” and put in last year’s hits.
- Find your best seasonal content. It has value for your readers. Add to an existing or new magazine or storyboard (if available). Those old Thanksgiving tips take on a new life this season and are helpful to your readers.
- Rewrite the headline to freshen it up and make it more current. As time passes so do trends. Rewrite for today’s mindset.
- Add a new photograph to the article. People love looking at images. An eye-catching image will incite curiosity.
- Add keywords to your description.
I have been recycling magazines for 12 years and counting. Here’s an example of two “ancient” magazines that keep making the rounds every year:
Example 1: Happy New Year (Insert New Year)
Example 2: Glorious Fall
Pro Tip: Add captions to your articles when you share. This makes a big difference when sharing to the Fediverse.
Storyboards (if available)
Storyboards are a great way to repurpose old content because they get a new timestamp. Pick 5–10 topical evergreen articles and add them to a storyboard. User Visibility on Flipboard is approximately 48 hours (sometimes more). It’s best to publish a storyboard on a Sunday.
Note: This Storyboard information is based solely on my experience.
Reflip “Old” Content into Group Magazines
The content you shared a while ago can be reflipped it into a group magazine. Check with the magazine owner to see if they don’t mind. Some curators have specific timestamp requirements.
- If it’s travel season and you have an article about Europe Travel, reflip it into a group magazine.
- Also, reflip their evergreen content into your magazines.
Pro Tip: We forget that people follow your magazines and bookmark them to read later. They will visit periodically to read your content.
Here’s a content guide that can be recycled. Read on.
Examples of evergreen content. This is just a partial list that can go on forever.
- Food
- Holidays
- Listicles
- Travel
- Seasons
- DIY
- Gaming Tips
- Lifestyle, Style
- Finance, Like Investment, Tips
- EDU Content, Like History, Science
Examples of content that is dated after 48 hours:
- Sports
- News
- Some Tech
- Gossip
- Finance, i.e. Stock Tips
- Elections
- Sales
Understanding how Flipboard looks at time-sensitive content can help you reuse your old posts. Your magazines can still be relevant and on target.
Other Considerations
- Make sure that you share your magazines outside of Flipboard.
- Monitor your analytics and watch your updates.
- Watch what readers are reflipping to get an idea of what resonates with your audience.
Happy Flipping!
