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10 great tips for writing lists

by Darren

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Every blogger writes lists. They’re a great source of traffic, because they get linked to all the time. I love writing lists. I can think of at least 10 reasons why, but I’ll save them for another post Here are 7 tips for writing lists.

1) Keep your points clear and to the point. A list is a structured way of looking at something, so the clearer you make your points to the readers, the better.
2) Try and think of something they haven’t heard before. The trouble with lists is, there are a ton of them. Try to make yours stand out by adding something new.
3) Stay on topic. If you’re giving out 10 tips about how to be the best bowler, don’t make one of them about crochet. Read the list for clarity before publishing.
4) Only use the tips that are best. If you set out about writing 10 great tips, you might only have 8 that are truly useful. Do yourself and your readers a favor and change it to 8 great rules. Cut the fat when proof-reading your list.
5) Keep your audience in mind when writing your tips. Consider who your readers are, and how they’d best benefit from your advice or guidelines. Talking over the head of your audience will not result in an increased readership.
6) Try not to contradict yourself on your own list. It’s easy to contradict yourself when blogging, especially as months pass by and your viewpoints change. But to contradict yourself in the same list is not something you want to gain a reputation for doing.
7) Create something new each time you do a list. Don’t just rehash old tips you’ve laid out before, but try and reach deep and come up with a new angle.
If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit. Okay, just kidding. Have at least one tip in your list that makes me people go “Hmmmmmm.”
9) Shock someone’s sensibilities so extraordinarily that you cause a transformation in their life. Definitely do this one, if you can
10) Stop writing when you’re getting bored! If you’re bored writing them, then imagine how the reader feels! I know I’ve had enough at this point. I don’t feel like making 50 items, so I guess we’ll stop here.

What ideas do you have for writing lists? Do you do them regularly? Do you think lists attract more links that other blog posts?

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