How to Write a List Article (E-Course Part 6)
This is Part 6 in a 12-part e-course about the types of blog articles.
List Article
A kissin’ cousin to both How-To and Roundup articles, a List Article focuses on solutions to universal problems:
- 20 things to do when you’re stranded in an airport during a snowstorm
- 10 dieting myths
- Top school supplies for preschoolers through college-bound
- 5 fantastic family vacation spots in ___ state/province/country
- 5 haircuts that trim a decade off
- 20 must-have kitchen tools
- 7 ways to respond to failure
- 10 ways to grow your business, despite the economy
- 25 gifts under $25 that you’ll love to give
- 12 tips to manage your money
- 10 essential items to include in your carry-on luggage
- 30 ways to celebrate National Adoption Month (or any National ___ Month – see Session 1: Calendar Article for info)
Why write list articles
A list article is tightly-focused and includes a brief introductory paragraph followed by a list of items.
List posts tend to generate comments, because your readers will suggest list items you may have forgotten, debate the validity of your list items, or thank you for including them in your list.
List articles are a quick, easy way for you to share what you’re learning. They don’t require a huge amount of research or brain drain, and they give you the opportunity to show off your creative ideas.
Titles
Titles for list articles always contain a number. Doesn’t matter whether you share 5, 10, 12, 20, or 100 items; be sure to specify the number of items in your list.
Titles for list articles also focus on solutions to problems – things that will benefit the reader.
And like every good blog title, they should be optimized for searches. What keywords would people type into a search engine to find your list post? Include those words in the title.
Your Assignment
1. List 10 problems or dilemmas your readers might have (these don’t necessarily have to be earth-shattering moral dilemmas – they can be everyday stuff).
Example: I want to paint the exterior of my home but I can’t decide on a color scheme.
2. Flip those problems on their head and create keyword-rich headlines that focus on solutions.
Example: 10 Popular Exterior Paint Colors for 2015
3. In the Comments area, share one solution-oriented headline for a list article you want to write.
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[…] How to Write a List Article (E-Course Part 6) […]
[…] How to Write a List Article (E-Course Part 6) […]
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[…] How to Write a List Article (E-Course Part 6) […]
[…] How to Write a List Article (E-Course Part 6) […]
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[…] How to Write a List Article (E-Course Part 6) […]
[…] How to Write a List Article (E-Course Part 6) […]
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[…] Coming next: How to write a List Article […]
[…] Coming next: How to write a List Article […]
[…] How to Write a List Article (E-Course Part 6) […]
[…] Part 6: List […]