Apparently without realizing it I’ve become known for writing list posts. It’s not so surprising: I’ve always been a list-maker, it’s just my nature.Writing articles with lists, I think, goes back to my newspaper days, when we were trained in the USA Today philosophy of breaking up long stories with boxes of information and bulleted lists that made things easier to read. While I’m not a huge fan of USA Today, there is something to the idea of highlighting important information for readers in a hurry.However, I’ve been criticized for list posts, by bloggers I respect. They aren’t fans of the “5 Ways to ….” posts, and I can understand that. Those kinds of posts can be overdone.I’d like to make a case for list posts, though, to present the ideas behind them and why they’re a good way to present information to your blog’s readers.And to do that, I’m going to present it in a list!1. Readers are in a hurry. Sure, it would be nice to spend some quality time with each post, perhaps read it on a lazy Sunday morning when the neighbors are at church, as you smoke your pipe. However, the reality is that most of us read through a large number of posts in a limited amount of time. We want to be able to get to the information we want, quickly. Lists help the reader do that, by highlighting the main points.You can complain all you want about lists, but the bottom line is that they make things easier on the reader. And if you don’t make the reader’s concerns your most important concern on your blog, you will soon lose the readers. Put your readers first.2. It crystallizes your main points. Too many posts end up rambling about various topics, without forcefully stating their main points. It leaves the reader confused, and is often a waste of time. Sure, it’s very possible to write a well thought out post without using a list, but the list forces you to understand the main points of your post, and to stay on point. That’s a good thing in my opinion.3. It’s concise. Lists say in a few words what would ordinarily be said in many. They eliminate the need for transitional sentences and segues. They present a lot of information in a small amount of space, and conciseness is one of the foundations of good writing.4. List headlines are informative. Sure, the “5 Ways to …” headline might be a bit trite, but it’s used so often because it’s effective. It communicates in a few words exactly what the reader needs to know. Unlike the more vague titles such as “The Virtues of a Mac” or “On Blogging”.The list headline tells you 1) what the post will teach you; 2) that the post is showing you how to do something useful; 3) that the post is in an easily read list form; and 4) the exact number of items in the list. Now, you might argue that the last item isn’t necessary, but then you’d be arguing for providing the reader with less information rather than more. And again, you should put your reader first.5. It’s useful. Many posts talk about a subject, but don’t tell the readers how to take action, how to accomplish what’s being talked about. That’s not terribly useful to most people. “Fine,” they say, “good points. But how do I implement them?”The list post, however, is made up of practical steps or tips. At least, the ones I write try to be. And that’s much more useful to the reader — they not only make their point, but tell you how to take action. Practical advice on implementing it in your life.
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And I implemented this when I was a writing an article on our publication (and it’s about starting a blog). Even I, myself was surprised that I can understand my own article.
Thanks Leo for making a superb post. One more reason for creating lists is: people will follow through the main points of the entire article. You’ll have their attention till the end.I remember Guy Kawasaki saying that he usually gives his keynotes in Top-10 list format so that the audience can follow him till the end even if they get distracted in the middle of his presentation.I use lists online as well as offline. And its always been effective.Using bullet points is one of my best writing techniques along with using the Q-&-A format to make sure readers read till the end.
Is it all that bad to be known as a “list blogger”? As long as the quality of your lists are first rate, your readers know what they are getting whenever they read one of your posts.
I think another reason readers might like the listed posts would be to skip through the list to what the reader was looking for. Yeah we would like all our readers to read everything we write but thats not always going to be true. So this gives the reader a chance to read exactly what they where searching for or skip through things they have already discovered.
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Also, by making lists, you kind of take a “hassle” of the shoulder of the prospect. In the mind most people break up the posts themselfes, at least I do if I read a long post. Great post.- Alex
I agree with Philip, and would add that both types of blog posts have a place. When I go to the grocery store I take a list so I can get *exactly* what I want in the *least* amount of time. It is nice to be able to do that on the web as well.
Good points Leo
As much as lists wont win you awards with any literature society they do make the content very accessible.Some of the best business communications I’ve received that are actionable by me have been lists of actionable items. A small thing like that gives me fuzzies that my boss gave a crap about my workflow and additionally I didn’t have to ‘parse’ a letter to figure out what things I actually had to do.
I like lists in general.Sure, there are list posts I don’t like, but posting a premise, and then supporting it with a list of examples works. Plus, when reading, it’s easy to go back and double check something you want to focus on.I just wish comments permitted lists. (No, that’s a lie. If you want to write a list in a comment, it’s best to write a post! )
I don’t think it’s the list post format itself, it’s the abuse of the list post format. Lists represent condensed information. When someone has “Top 50…” or “78 ways to improve…” it comes off as a trendy, cheap way to get the point across, all while making the writer look inexperienced because they really couldn’t get it down to the most essential items.
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Hey Leo,Good one. Thanks. And I’ve noticed that listed posts usually gets a lot more visitors than vague ones (except when one is writing about Harry Potter
)Cheers,Mohan
some good reasons. glad i found the site.
As a reader myself, I enjoy reading bulleted lists as well. It will be easier for my brains to analyse what are wanted to be conveyed faster.Also, I find using this way of writing can bring in more commentators! Maybe they know what they have read.
Being a reader i prefer the list ones.Because they are easy on eyes & minds.But while writing i hate to do that.