Three Dangerous Myths About List Posts – Busted - DailyBlogTips

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Three Dangerous Myths About List Posts – Busted Posted: 19 Mar 2012 04:25 AM PDT How do you feel about list posts? Some bloggers like them; others hate them. We've all seen guest posts that are badly done – perhaps with lots of "fluff" items that don't add value, or with poor formatting and construction that makes them hard to read. But like it or not, lists work. Putting a number in a headline is a sure-fire way to get readers to pay attention. (Look at the cover of any magazine, and there's a very good chance you'll spot some numbers. These editors know what they're doing.) So let's bust some silly myths: Myth #1: "List Posts Are Just for Lazy Writers" Sure, some lazy writers slap together a few bullet points and call it a post … but that doesn't mean you have to do the same. A great list post can take just as much craft as any other post. In fact, spending time and energy creating a strong list post is a great way to develop your writing skills. Myth #2: "List Posts Aren't Right for My Style/Niche" Some bloggers are convinced that, while list posts work, they don't work for them. Perhaps they think it's a "dumbed down" format. When I started my blog Aliventures, I was determined not to use list posts. But I tried just one list post after several months – and readers loved it. The content I wrote was just as in-depth as any other post on my blog, but it was delivered in a format that worked well for my audience. Myth #3: "List Posts Have to be Really Long" Although big numbers do tend to get attention on social media, that doesn't mean that every list post you write needs to have 100 points. A list can be just three items. In fact, huge long lists tend to get bookmarked and tweeted, not read. If you want to draw people through a list in order to get to a powerful call to action, keep the list to around 7 – 12 points. The list format is simple and classic. It's never going to go out of fashion. It suits every niche and topic. And it forces your post into a clear structure that's great for your readers. Try out a list post today – and let us know how you get on. Bio: Ali Luke writes a regular column for Daily Writing Tips. If you'd like more blogging tips and tricks from her, check out her three info-packed Blogger's Guide ebooks. Original Post: Three Dangerous Myths About List Posts – Busted

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