Best Practices for Writing Listicles

A listicle is a web article or blog post in the form of a list that is outlined in a numbered or bullet point fashion. Why listicle best practices? Well, because listicle writing is actionable, it is imperative to do it right. Simple! Since listicles are easy to write and read, and are often straight to the point, they can be a great way to reach your audience, easily.

Here are a few ideas on how to write a listicle that will increase traffic to your blog massively:

Explain the benefit of the list

This is a must-have for any list looking to gain any significant traction online. This should be some introduction that explains the actual advantage of your list to the audience. Be sure to deliver what you’ve promised in the intro.

Number each item in the list

Listicles can be about any topic. When writing one, choose a topic that you’re super excited to write on. Then, once you’ve settled on a killer topic, start by defining and numbering your subheads. Numbering your list will make readers keep track of where they are. It will also have a tremendous impact on the neatness

Use an odd number in the listicle title

Research shows that readers are more inclined to click on an odd number listicle. Having a listicle with odd numbers, therefore, means that your list is likely to generate more engagements, likes, and shares.

Be creative with your Title

Top, best, most, brilliant. These words, when used in a listicle title will be the icing on the cake. People are always looking for information but will trust an article that is titled the best. Some of the examples would include:

• 11 top reasons to be a vegan in 2018
• 21 Mistakes most writers make
• 9 top bloggers to follow today

Table of content

Providing a list of tables to a lengthy article makes it easy for your target audience to scroll through the list by simply clicking on the ToC. If you’re using WordPress, you can use plugins such as TOC+ plugin to help you itemize your list.

Break your list into categories.

If your list is too big, it is best practice to break it down into palatable categories. This makes it easier for readers to browse the listicle and easily find important info. You can group similar processes, or methodologies together to help organize and segregate the content.

Add Images:

Images allow you to break the walls of a rather dull listicle down. Images and GIFs give you the freedom to add some humor and breathers.

How to write a listicle

These are some of the best practices when writing your listicle. With some of these best practices in mind, let’s now briefly look at the process of writing a listicle blog post. You will need to:

• Choose an appropriate topic for your listicle
• Select your keyword(s) if you’re hoping to rank it
• Choose a unique angle that falls within your niche
• Write the list points.
• Use catchy subheads to keep the audience engaged
• Use images and gifs to illustrate your points
• Include a solid conclusion

Choose an appropriate topic for your listicle

When writing a listicle, choose a topic that isn’t too complex, but still has plenty of scope for discussion. Listicles work best when the content is easy to break down into list items. Also, choose a topic with one core theme, so your readers won’t be confused and may doubt the value of the content. In addition, listicles are an easy format to convert to an article, which will make your writing more valuable and shareable.

Select your keyword(s) if you’re hoping to rank it

Using a listicle to promote your clients’ websites is an effective way to boost search rankings and drive more traffic to their websites. Search engines like Google look for lists that contain bulleted, numbered, or section headings, and good listicles can land your client at the top of search results for competitive keywords. Listed content will attract more readers than a single paragraph, so make sure to select your keyword wisely and optimize the content for it.

Listicles should be targeted for long-tail keywords, since these search terms are much less competitive than generic terms. They also reflect the search intent of users and are therefore more targeted. If you can optimize the content for long-tail keywords, you’ll improve your chances of ranking highly for that keyword. There are several ways to optimize the content for a listicle, and the first one is to use Keyword Explorer to find relevant topics and terms.

Creating a listicle article is not a complicated process. In fact, most articles will contain as many as 60 items. The best ones will have a hook that captures the reader’s attention and leads them to the main topic. The hook should be short, to the point, and relevant to the topic of the article. Then, write a strong and unique article. The following are tips to help you create the best listicle.

Choose a unique angle that falls within your niche

For listicle content, you can choose a topic relevant to your audience, or a topic that you’ve wanted to write about for a while. It’s important to create a document in your writing application that captures the main purpose of your listicle. Knowing this can help you decide which angle to tackle the topic from. For example, if you’re writing an article on how to start a blog, you can choose to tackle a topic related to your business.

A listicle should be short and to the point. Remember that the average human attention span is eight seconds, so your title needs to be readable. Your title should tell readers exactly what to expect in your article, including the length, number of pages, and number of tips. Listicle content is also easy to create, with an introduction, a list of ideas, and a conclusion.

The key to a listicle is to add value and avoid regurgitating existing content. This will lower your chances of attracting readers and decrease the number of comments you receive. It’s also important to outline each item, gather relevant research, and ensure you’ve answered your audience’s burning questions. Regardless of what niche you’re in, there’s a listicle out there for you!

Write the list points

The first step in writing a listicle is to make a solid set of key points. Do not worry if you can’t fit all the points in a single article – just write as many as you can. Besides, users often prefer listicles that have an odd number of points. The next step in writing a listicle is to keep track of the main points and add other relevant information as you go along.

The body of the list should be the same length as the list points. If there are too many points, it will look jarring and ill-organized. Also, include pictures or images that break up the text. These will increase readability. In addition, listicles should be keyword-optimized. Using images can boost the ranking of a listicle and increase click-through rates.

The listicle should include one or more images or gifs to make it interesting for readers. The article should also contain a call to action that encourages readers to take action. This could be signing up for an email list, joining a webinar, or purchasing something that has been mentioned in the article. Lastly, keep the listicle to five to 10 points. Otherwise, if the article is about cars, you can write more points.

Use catchy subheads to keep the audience engaged

Listicles are easy to write and read, but they are often filled with worthless drivel or clickbait. Make sure you choose an angle that sets your listicle apart from the rest and add some catchy subheads to keep the audience reading. Lists can be a great way to share information and educate the public. To keep your audience interested, write a list of 5 to 10 things for each topic, with a short introduction and conclusion.

Your title is your chance to sell your article. It should be exciting, yet not misleading. The list format pulls the reader forward, and its numbered subheads create a concrete sense of progression. Because list articles are scannable, they are easy to read by readers short on time. It also catches the attention of your audience, and they’re more likely to continue reading your content.

The purpose of a listicle is to grab the attention of readers and keep them reading. They’re often scannable, and people’s attention spans vary greatly. Five solid paragraphs might be appropriate for a textbook but wouldn’t work well on a blog. So, make sure to make subheads a crucial part of your content.

Use images and gifs to illustrate your points

The first step in writing a listicle is to choose a format. Next, consider the angle you want to take. A listicle article is primarily comprised of bullet points, so you need to find something unique to write about. To keep your readers engaged, use images and gifs to illustrate your points. Using a list format can help you create a more compelling and memorable article.

You can also add flavor to your listicle by incorporating relevant images or gifs. However, remember not to overdo it! Regular articles have separate sections with images so that readers can scroll through them. When using images, ensure that you get the appropriate permission levels from the owner before using them. Once you have permission from the image owner, you can include it in your listicle.

While listicles are easy to read and easily quoted, they lack eye-catching content. Using images and gifs to illustrate your points will help your article stand out. They will also make it more appealing to the reader. This is especially true on social media. Using images and gifs will increase engagement with your content. In addition to images and gifs, you can also include videos and graphs to help explain your points.

Include a solid conclusion

Most listicles have a weak conclusion, merely summarizing the content in one short sentence. But, there are many examples of listicles that end with additional information. Check out these examples from Huckberry, Bonobos, and Zappos to see how they ended their listicles. Adding a solid conclusion to your listicle is an essential part of your overall content strategy.

Adding a table of contents and jump links to your list is a great way to make your listicle easier to digest. If your list is very long, consider including a table of contents or jump links to help your readers skip to the section of your post that interests them. Listicles have a reputation in the content marketing community, but there are some things you should know before you publish one. One common mistake that many writers make is misleading titles. While they should never be sensational or misleading, a headline that contains these factors can lead readers to click the link.

The conclusion of your listicle should reinforce the main takeaway and should include a call to action. For example, if you are promoting a new product, you can direct readers to the website of your client, or to their contact information. Remember that listicles are not for every topic, but they will increase your credibility as a freelance writer. Just make sure you choose your topic carefully. A listicle can be very useful for your readers, so be sure to keep it as brief and relevant as possible.

Conclusion

That’s all folks! I hope this guide inspires you to seize the full advantage of listicles. If you haven’t made a listicle blog post yet, try posting one today and see if it has any significant impact on your blog traffic, your audience engagement, and customer conversions. Be sure to add some humor, good writing, honesty, research, and originality.