10 reasons why I love list posts

Posted by Ben on March 13, 2009 | Permalink | Hits: 673 

< 10 reasons to write a weekly round-up on your blog | Content | 10 tips for writing a blog post >

Image by numstead.

Regular readers of Top Ten Blog Tips will notice that every post is a list post. I guess the brand new readers will notice this too. (Welcome!) So what is it about list posts that made me start a blog devoted to them?

1. They're easy to plan.

Yes, dear readers, you too can write your own list post in record time. Think up a great title, then list (pun very much intended) your points. Your post has now been planned. Pretty straightforward!

The only drawback is when you find a topic that doesn't have a lot of points to write about - but that's why you don't limit yourself to the same number of points in every post. Do as I say, not as I do here. Sometimes, it's very tricky to get to #10...

2. They're easy to write.

After planning your headings, just fill in the gaps and you have a complete post! Sometimes it's so easy that it makes blogging a lot of fun. Obviously it's fun all the time anyway, otherwise why would anyone blog?!

3. They're easy to read.

Spotted the running theme yet? Don't worry, I'm not as easy as my blog. Reading a list post couldn't be easier - it's all nicely broken down for you.

Is there too much spoon-feeding with list posts? Not really - I'd much rather have a post split into sections than a big sprawling paragraph with no sign that the end is near. It gets pretty crazy in the middle of those big paragraphs...

4. They make it easier for people to comment.

No more worrying if people agree with you or not - just let your readers add an item to the list. Of course, it's fine if they want to agree or disagree with the points on your list, or say "I hate it when list posts do that" when you resort to cop-out tactics to pad out your list. Not that I would know anything about that. (No, really! I don't do it! OK, maybe one or two of my posts have a silly point at the end... obviously this one doesn't, does it...?)

5. They make you think outside the box.

Perhaps not the case if you only write a short list (but not a "shortlist"), stretching your list to "just one more item" could make it feel like you're scraping the bottom of the barrel.

But on the other hand, pushing yourself to think of more items can build a really great list. These are the things you might not think of when writing a non-listy posty. (sic)

6. It's easier to tell when you're done.

Sometimes I write a "normal" post and ramble on about this and that, not really knowing how far I am from the end. Who needs to plan when it's a stream of consciousness post?

With a list post, especially one where you set yourself a limit - such as the elusive 10 item list, the holy grail of all lists! - you know when you're done. You get to #10! With shorter lists, you run out of ideas, so it must be time to stop. Better to do that than wonder if you've covered all the arguments you wanted to.

7. They force you to split up your posts with paragraphs and headings.

This makes the post easy to read (see #3), but it also helps search engines to index your content. Use headers and the search engines will like you. I'm not sure why this is, for all you know my best friend is a search engine.

8. They're ideal for reference.

Once a reader has understood the information, it's easy for them to skim the list and get the info if they need it in future. Referring back to a series of lengthy paragraphs is a lot harder than skimming through a list to remind you of what was said.

9. They often get passed around.

Want to write content that travels? There's not much better than a list post. Well, except for a perfect post that isn't a list but that ticks all the other boxes in Ben's Secret Formula for Writing an Awesome Post. Which, incidentally, is also a list. Well, it would be if I got around to writing it.

10. They give a rather handy title for this blog!

Without lists, this blog would be a big number 10 with no content. I bet my wife would still subscribe, she's nice like that.

Why do you love list posts?

Want to read more posts like this? Subscribe!

Comments on 10 reasons why I love list posts

4

Ben | March 15, 2009 | Ben's home page | 207 comments

Thanks for the comments guys. :)

Carol - I covered that in #7. (Answer: yes.)

6

Ben | March 17, 2009 | Ben's home page | 207 comments

Thanks Leo! :D

8

Ben | April 08, 2009 | 207 comments

Thanks Canucklehead - incidentally, what's with italic text/bold text? Did you forget to type something? :)