DID YOU KNOW? People really like reading lists. I mean, they really like reading lists. And for content creators, they can be a really great tool to use in your writing. Of course, there are different types of lists you can lean on to enhance your work and to keep your readers engaged. I am a fan of all of them, including bulleted lists, numerical lists, slideshow top 5s and top 10s. They key is to understand where using a list is appropriate and which type will best serve your users’ needs.
Here’s why readers love reading lists:
1. Help with Comprehension. Having a well-organized list can help people scan the information they need to know quickly. They can also help people remember the need-to-know content.
2. Organize Information. Lists can help to organize information. I’ll use my favorite blueberry bread recipe as an example. To make the bread, you’ll need:
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 ½ cups fresh blueberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 ½ cups flour
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Mix well and bake in a lightly greased pan on 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
3. Put Things in Order. Lists can make it easier to understand the order of or to rank something. For example, my favorite sports to watch during the Olympic games are in this order:
- Track and field
- Gymnastics
- Swimming
4. Explain How to Do Something. Lists can be a great way to explain how to do something. For example, you invested in extra storage or a wardrobe to help your kid as they go off to college. You know how small the dorm rooms are. But, you’re going to have to put that thing together. Good thing for you, the box came with instructions to show you step by step how to put it together.
5. Fun to Read. People can’t get enough of slideshow lists. Curiosity is at the heart of most of it, and most people will usually keep people clicking until the end. What they want to know is did my favorite “blah, blah, blah” make the list?
Pro Tip: If slideshows are your thing as a content creator, be mindful of the number of items you choose to feature. Online readers have a very short attention span. Keep it interesting but don’t make it too long.
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