by If you’ve been blogging for more than a day, you’ve probably written at least one list post. More than likely, you’ve written a lot of them.
Easy to read, not so hard to write, and always popular, the list post’s basic premise is in the name itself – it’s a list.
A list of what? Well, anything you can dream up and write about. The list post is used to take a topic and break it down into multiple small chunks (your list items) so that they are easily to skim through to find information or answers to your questions.
Often, a list post is used to solve a problem – you discuss the problem or issue and then break it down into a list of multiple solutions/answers.
How Do I Write a List Post?
Easy. What’s something you get asked a lot, or perhaps you think about a lot? Does it have multiple answers? You’re on your way to a great list post if you said yes.
List Post Examples
Probably the easiest way to understand list posts and their value is to write about them in their own format. So, let’s dig in and write a list post about list posts…
1. Top Ten List
David Letterman knew the value of a list post, before the word blog even existed. Dave’s nightly Top Ten Lists were a feature that you always looked forward to and you always knew exactly what you were getting when the segment started.
2. List of Reviews
Think of something in your niche that has multiple products as a solution. If you are a tech blogger, you could write a list post about hosting companies. If you write about cooking, you could discuss the merits of different brands of pots and pans. Travel blogger? Not a problem, best restaurants in your favorite destination. Health and wellness bloggers have lots to review – from supplements to exercise equipment to the various training programs out there. You can review just about anything as a blogger – so sit down and write a list of all the lists you can make.
3. Resource List
Compiling lists of the best resources can make an excellent post. Imagine something along the lines of, “My Top Ten Websites for Blogging Tips.” (Hopefully, we made the cut. Here’s our version of a resource list post: “Choosing the Right Blogging Platform“)
4. List of Pros/Cons
If something has a positive/negative aspect to it, writing out a pros and cons list is always a great start. Take the idea one step further and post it to your blog.
5. How To Posts
While you may think how to posts deserve their own category, many of the best ones are written as list posts. How do I do it? Step 1, Step 2, Step 3… It’s all about the flow. (See “How to Start a Blog in 6 Easy Steps“)
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Much like the how to post, the FAQ is its own entity, but is often best presented as a list post.
7. Link Posts
There are times when the best way to explain something is to let other posts/websites do the talking. A list of links to other posts on your site can be very effective for SEO and a list post with links to other sites in your niche can foster a sense of community.
8. X Things to Do (or to Not Do)
You’ve read a million of these. 50 Things to Do Before Age 50. 7 Things You Should Insist on Today No Matter What People Say. 16 Things You Should Never Flush Down the Toilet. Top 23 Things NOT to Do on Maui (much love to the people of Maui – I can’t wait to see you again when the time is right). Did you see what I did there? I merged #7 into #8 in a modified #1.
9. Blast From the Past Posts
I’ve used these to great effect on some sites I’ve run in the past. Check out your Google Analytics and see what performed best over the past year and do a list post about those posts. I would often use it as a countdown to the new year and a way to get a few more clicks on some older content.
What are Your Favorite Lists?
That was just 9 quick ideas – there are a million more. List posts can be great when your thoughts are feeling a bit disjointed, because you can combine a whole slew of ideas into one post and not have to try and keep focus and order to a more lengthy in-depth post about a single topic.
What list posts do you keep in your back pocket as a go to? Is there one you can’t get enough of? How many list posts does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?
The world may never know.
