7 Reasons Why List Posts Will Always Work

7 Reasons Why List Posts Will Always Work

It’s a blogosphere favorite for good reason — “list” content works, in large part
due to the attention-grabbing power of the headline.

What may be news to some bloggers is that the effectiveness of this type of
headline and content is as old as the advertising hills. So you shouldn’t worry
about it dying out anytime soon.

Any headline that lists a number of reasons, secrets, types, or ways will work
because, once again, it makes a very specific promise of what’s in store for
the reader. A nice quantifiable return on attention invested goes a long way
toward prompting action, and as long as you deliver with quality content,
you’ll have a satisfied reader.

Plus, these types of posts and articles are perfect for building your authority
and demonstrating a mastery of your area of expertise. If you’re business
blogging, that’s key.
With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at 7 classic “list” headlines that you
can remix on your blog when you’re looking to boost readership (and maybe
even get a little link love).

1. Do You Recognize the 7 Early Warning Signs ofHigh Blood Pressure?

Use this type of headline to demonstrate the expertise that only comes from
really knowing your business or niche. People love to get a “heads up” on
potential problems.

2. 10 Ways to Beat the High Cost of Living

A classic that can only flop if you fail to deliver. Concentrate on writing content
that sparkles, and people will acknowledge that you not only know what
you’re talking about, but you also communicate it well.

3. Five Familiar Skin Troubles

Commiserate with your readers by setting forth problems you know they are
having, and they just might determine that you are the right solution.

4. Six Types of Investor — Which Group Are You In?

Let the readers self-identify themselves by providing categories into which
they will likely fall into. You know about the power of using the word “you”
when addressing readers, but people love it even more when they can focus
on themselves.

5. How to Give Your Children Extra Iron — These 3 Delicious Ways

A “how to” headline mixed in with a list — it’s almost not fair. Note that the
word “these” plus the number of items, followed by “(adjective) ways,” is an
extremely specific and powerful use of 4 simple words.

6. Free Book Tells You 12 Secrets of Better Lawn Care

Use this style of headline and content structure with a free report or tutorial
that you are promoting, and you should get wider circulation.

7. 76 Reasons Why It Would Have Paid You to Answer Our Ad a Few Months Ago

An especially bold headline that worked wonders for a popular news
magazine. The number of reasons given is so large it’s almost absurd, and
that’s good from a value standpoint with free content. Plus, by referring back
to previous ads, the piece points out the peril of not paying attention earlier.