We read them every day and everywhere. Boring, old, lists.
There are to-do lists. There are lists to tell us what to buy at the grocery store. There are lists to help and motivate us with exercise and cooking. You name it; there is probably a list out there for it.
Some of these lists can just be exhausting.
Listicles can be one of the most challenging types of content out there. They have become wildly popular within the last few years, and it’s no surprise why. They keep our attention and they are all vastly different from one another. They stand out from our traditional copy. And, they are fun to read and to write.
When producing this type of content, there are some specifics editors are looking for when choosing a listicle to blow reader’s minds. Here are 5 tips to make your listicles pop compared to other content:
Don’t forget to do your research.
Know what your topic is and how you are going to approach it. Have a game plan before you even begin writing. Each point needs to be powerful. Study your topic before your fingers hit the keyboard. This will help you when you’re farther along in the writing process.
Keep it cohesive.
Don’t take your readers on a roller coaster ride. Make sure all the bullets fit together in an overlaying theme. Remember when writing that order matters. Don’t throw some bullet points together and call it a listicle. Think about it. Reorder your points and see what works. Experiment with it. Trust me, you won’t be sorry.
Think about your images.
Photos are a huge part of listicles. You don’t want too many photos. Make sure there is a good balance between copy and photos. Be sure to play around with what images go where. Never settle on something that just doesn’t seem (or look) right.
Word choice is everything.
Listicles should be as much work as regular copy, if not more. Your writing and journalism skills still need to shine. Just like any other piece of copy, keeping readers’ attention is vital. Your word choice can be a little playful, but still needs to be tight and to the point. Don’t overdo it on adjectives. Keep on point but add a little extra when necessary. That way, readers stay interested and you still get your information across.
Get creative.
Listicles aren’t your average, boring copy. They excite. They grab attention. That’s why publications love them and use them. So, get creative with it. Spice things up and show some personality. Use photos to make your words pop. Be creative with your words to let your photos sparkle. Prove a point. Make readers laugh. Write on topics that are relatable. And always have fun yourself. Remember, if you don’t want to read your own writing, neither does your audience.
Haley Vickers
As an Editorial Assistant, Haley uses her past journalism experience and editing skills to help create content, edit content and prepare files for online distribution for Family Features. She is a recent graduate, earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Mass Media: Multimedia Journalism from Northwest Missouri State University.