What's A List Post? How To Write One?

Reading time: 5 minutes

A list post or listicle is an article that lists reasons, tips, methods, shortcuts, secrets, types, ways, items, or trends. It delivers an all-around view of a topic.

It is the most popular post type in terms of social shares, second only to infographics. Readers love to share and bookmark list posts.

These types of articles are perfect for someone who loves scrolling at lightning speeds. Their roving eyes can easily scan the article to skim through the points, and still come off wiser.

According to one survey, the most popular list posts had the following number of items: 10, 23, 16, and 24 (in this exact order).

How To Write A Compelling List Post?

These are some of the best tips out there on how to write a list post:

Start with a compelling headline (“the hook”) that will grab the reader’s attention and make them want to click on your article.
Organize your content into a clear and simple list structure, with each point delivering valuable information or insights. Don’t just build a list for ten points and then add two “pointless points” after you have said everything you had to say in eight points.
Break up the content and make the article more engaging. Use extraordinary images and multimedia elements like videos and infographics.
Keep your language simple and straightforward, avoiding technical jargon, difficult words, or complex sentences.
Pro-tip: End your article with a strong call to action that encourages the reader to take some kind of action, such as sharing the article on social media or signing up for your email list.

So, create a listicle that is both informative and engaging, and it can turn casual readers into subscribers and repeat visitors.

Why Write List Posts?

List-posts on any blog are a fun project for three reasons:

A list post is a popular format for niche content creators. It comes with built-in bragging rights for showcasing your ability to distill a complex topic into a few easily digestible points. It also gives a fast ‘heads-up’ on what’s going on in the specific niche.
You get a pushover motivation from another creator.
And, of course, this kind of post can do a carpet-bomb style of outreach to those multitasking readers who are extremely busy with their schedules.

For any person who arrives at a list post but does not read one extra word beyond the list of subheadings, it would be totally fine for both the reader and the writer.

The reader would have gathered their arrows, and the writer would be happy to have passed on the essence of the topic in a blink. World peace, indeed.

Success comes from giving more than expected.

Larry Page famously said, “Always deliver more than expected.” Most entrepreneurs feel he was right.

Success comes from giving more than expected.
A list post delivers more than expected.

How To Build A Topical Authority With List Posts

Topical authority is vital these days.

A common blunder new site owners make is writing about random, unrelated topics. Instead, in the early days, you need to keep your content tightly focused to build topical authority. Even if a keyword in your topic cluster is competitive, you should target it to help build your topical authority.

Another way to see it is this: Typically, blog content does not result in direct sales, but, it increases your site’s topical authority. And topical authority helps rank your internally-linked product pages. Then your product pages generate sales.

So, create a content hub (topic cluster) around the products you’re selling.

Write a main “best of” article for a product category
Write a few “best x for y” articles in that category
Write some individual product reviews
Write 10+ relevant informational content
Internally link all of these together using links within the content

If you have already written many list posts on a certain category. Then write a new post that includes at least ten of your best list-posts in that category or silo, with a little introduction and a few lines on each post.

Some of the finest listicles are found on Listverse. (I love them for their high-quality information and inspiration, and have no profit to gain from sharing their site). See their 10 Incredibly Unusual Phobias That Are Actually Legit.