Top 10 Marketing Tips for Top 10 Lists
The Obligatory “Top 10 List” Style Blog Post
There’s a reason the internet hosts a gazillion “Top 10 List” blog posts. Several reasons actually—and countless Top 10 lists dedicated to discussing the pros and cons of writing a Top 10 list style blog post. Not only that, but there are countless Top 10 lists for ranking the best Top 10 lists and entire websites dedicated to compiling Top 10 lists. [Listverse: Top 10 Lists, Toptenz.net: Top 10 Lists, Top10Buzz.com: Top 10 Lists, and Ultimate Top 10s to name just a few.]
From a marketing perspective, like them or not, the reason to create Top 10 List style blog posts is quite simple: They work.
They’re easy for consumers to digest, and they’re proven to generate higher traffic and engagement than other styles of posts.
All the minutia of opinions and pros and cons theories aside, here’s what you need to know about marketing your Top 10 list style blog posts. Using the obligatory Top 10 list style of course…
Top 10 Marketing Tips for Top 10 Lists
1) Top 10 list styles don’t have to be “Top 10.”
Were talking about a style formula here. The formula is: Adjective + Number + What (+ sometimes Why.) Using “Top 10” specifically however can assist with search engine optimization, since most consumers actually search for “top 10 zyx“.
2) Use superlative or comparative adjectives.
Superlative or comparative adjectives, (Top, best, least expensive, easiest, etc.) are a primary reason the list style formula works. Consumers are relying on you to tell them what’s important so they don’t have to do their own research or sift through tons of individual posts on the subject.
3) Pick a number, any number.
10, 7, 5 are the most common numbers used for list style posts, so sticking with those are more likely to resonate with consumers and potentially assist with search engine optimization as well. If your brand persona is a bit more edgy or contrary, or you simply want yours to stand out a bit from all the other lists out there, you might choose a less commonly used number.
4) Be sure your title is engaging.
If your title comprising of Adjective + Number + What isn’t compelling in and of itself enough to entice someone to read it, add the + Why to your title. For example: “Top 10 Security Threats” is compelling, but doesn’t indicate why a reader needs to know this list. “Top 10 Security Threats for iPhones” or “Top 10 iPhone Apps To Avoid” helps clarify the what and why, while targeting your message specifically to iPhone owners concerned with security.
5) Keep your title short.
Your title needs to be short enough to not get truncated in Google search results displays, and when sharing on social media to drive traffic to your post. Use Twitter as your benchmark. Will your post title — including your shortened URL post link, and image URL link — leave room for you to also include an appropriate #hashtag or @person tag?
6) Keep your content short.
Consumers are attracted to Top 10 list style posts because they’re easy to digest. Provide valuable content, but don’t write an entire dissertation about each list item. If you have more to say on any given list item, create a separate blog post on that particular topic and create an internal link to it from your Top 10 list post.
7) Break some rules.
Changing up the formula or breaking some style rules can help your list post stand out from all the others. For example, if you’re an attorney, maybe your list is titled “Top 10.2.1 Xyz List” and numbered as sub-sections. Get creative!
8) Create outbound link to others’ posts.
Linking to other creditable resources and/or referenced information is always good practice, for list style posts or any of your blog posts. Remember to tag those you link to in your blog when you share your post on social media.
9) Include images if you can.
A picture’s worth a thousand words, and more importantly, easier to digest than words. Illustrate each of your list items with an image whenever possible. Don’t include random images just for the sake of having an image though; make sure they support and enhance your content.
10) Promote your post.
Rather than posting your list on your own blog site and sharing your post through your traditional content marketing channels, you might consider submitting your post to Listverse, TopTenz, or any number of other Top 10 list compiling websites instead. You’ll want to review their guidelines and edit your post as needed prior to submitting though. Keep in mind, if you choose this option your list is no longer “yours”, and you cannot post it on your own web blog…
Now go create your own top/best/whatever numbered list about something relevant to your consumer’s interests, and happy blogging!