They create dramatic tension
People want to know what’s on the list? What is it? Is their favorite something going to be on the list like a web site or singer. Who the heck is number 1 and who is not on the list? It gives a person that thought, “I have to find out what’s on the list.”
Something short and sweet
There is a lot of information out there so if you narrow down something to 5 or 10 items than it really does trigger people to check it out. People want to read about the best of the best.
To receive information and knowledge
People want to read lists because they can gain information and knowledge very easily by just reading the one article. They might be able to gain new knowledge about 10 different things by one article.
They appeal to people’s needs for hierarchy
It’s really absurd that we are all so obsessed with what’s first and what’s last. We do all care though and we like to find out if we agree with the writer. However, most the time we don’t agree and that is what makes lists so appealing.
They give us a unique format
Lists are fairly easy to read and are not written like other blog posts or articles. Other articles tend to get long and bore people. With lists you get to read each little section and then start with another one. You always know that you can skip over one if you don’t care to read about it. In articles and essays you usually realize that you have to read from the top and go all the way to the bottom to fully understand article.
There are plenty of reasons to like lists so add to the list.
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
This is so true, I am the typical blog reader! Bravo
Same here.
plus, they’re easy to skim through and repeat to your friends at the pub like you know something
Andy Baileys last blog post..Just a lick of paint… oh and Wordpress MU?
haha. So true.
I am glad that you used a list for this…otherwise I would have had to reach through my computer screen and slap you, lol. I am with Andy. Lists are easy to skim through looking for something that catches your eye unlike blocks of pure text. I think that breaking up large blocks of text with something – anything – is helpful. Whenever I see a post that is nothing but paragraph after paragraph of text I am more inclined to skip it.
Jamess last blog post..Is Your Religion True? An Illustration
I would of looked idiotic if I did not use a list. Haha
Nice post here Franklin. I know that people love reading lists, so that’s why I write a lot of them on my blog. It’s always worked out with much success.
Sly from SlyVisions dot Coms last blog post..Quick Links – September 4, 2008
Nice and to the point. They appeal to my anal nature (no cracks at that please) hehe
I think lists are more consumable by readers too. This list is probably why that’s true.
Waynes last blog post..Why is that pussy being so dramatic?
Anal nature, so true, haha.
A very unique topic but Nice one
. I 100% agree with you. Another reason is it is easy to read and fast to skim.
Skimming is huge anymore. We are a world of skimmers.
Pleople these days feel like they are inundaded by online tasks and prefer a post that is short, and into this of course, are the lists. They save time and are quickly read.
TonNets last blog post..Sex Education and How to Deal With Abortion Under Republican Runners
They do make for a quick read.
Congrats on selling your blogs for millions! I came across your site from Tim Ferris’s blog. I like the content you have and I look forward to reading more in the future. Good luck to you Franklin.
Thanks a lot. I will enjoy hearing your opinions.
Thanks for the tip. Yes, lists do sound like a good idea for all the reasons mentioned. Not only for educational purposes, but I am thinking for fun too. Think of the lists you could create for entertainment purposes! You could do seriuos lists also. Somebody above said they hated to read blog entries with paragraph after paragraph of text. There is something I hate more. Blog entries with one long paragraph of text. In other words, what should have been about six paragraphs never broken up, but instead left into one long paragraph. I have actually seen that in some blogs! Don’t they know that what they are doing is incorrect?
I am one of the people who love blog posts with lists
I like to quickly skim over info and take what I want or need out of it instead of having to read word for word. I also like writing posts with lists quite a bit, i’d say just about every other article i write is one with some sort of list or another!
Chelles last blog post..Pros, Cons & Online Dating
Lists ROCK!! Just check this out, I know the guy from http://frugaldad.com and he wrote a great articles title “75 Tips to Survive a Recession”! Yea, well to say the least, it this simple list make it on the front page of MSN and he was rocking with traffic for the a long time. All because of some basic list that he made up! Lists ROCK…just list it!
Erics last blog post..$200 For Being a Commentator It’s Just That Simple – Keep it SEO Simple
Articles with lists are always big sellers. Internet surfers like to be able to scan to get info quickly without reading a bunch of drivel. I prefer lists with bullet points as well.
Jamies last blog post..9 Steps to Clearer Writing: Keep it Flowing
Lists just really organize everything. I know what you’re saying when you are talking about Internet surfers being able to scan information quickly without having to read all the other crap.
This is a really great article to help people understand why they like lists. I know I always read a list if I see one on the Internet. There are a very quick read and I know I’ll not have to read something that looks like an essay.
This is so true. I both love reading blog posts with lists and I love writing blog posts with list. It means you can skim read then and you don’t have to digg through the 1,000 words to find that helpful advice you are looking for. Lists are the best by far and I would always recommend them for bloggers
I totally agree. Lists are a great way to present information without making it seem too wordy. I tend to use them whenever possible myself and it seems to be working out well. Regardless of what people’s reasons are for liking them, they are effective and that’s what counts!
Keep It SEO Simples last blog post..Application Letter For Copywriting Position
Posts with a list really do make me slow down and it catches my eye. Makes me want to read. I never realized the power of a list untill you pointed it out in the post. I will now have to make myself do this more often.
Combining your ideas together I had a list in a recent guest post! People definitely seem to respond to it. If I don’t have a list I still try and do something to break up the block of texts, whether that is using headers to section it off, blockquotes, or images. Anything to keep the eye interested and locked on the page.