What is a Listicle Article? How To Write and Examples

A listicle, "list article" or "list post" is an engaging article format usually in a numbered list that is composed of a series of lists and visuals.

It has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its simple, informative, and entertaining nature. Listicles often summarize key topics, making it easier for readers to quickly understand the overall message of the article.

For example, a listicle about fashion trends may include information about the latest styles or tips on dressing for a certain occasion.

The exact origin of listicles is unknown, but some media sources attribute their rising popularity to scroll-friendly platforms like Instagram and Tumblr which allow this type of content to be shared easily between users.

Irreverent topics such as celebrity gossip, memes, and pop culture are often discussed through this engaging medium as well.

Listicle Examples

Listicles are short lists of items, usually bullet points, that are designed to convey information quickly. They are great for sharing information, building trust and authority, and making it easier to share on social media.

Here are some examples of listicles you might see online:

• 10 Things You Didn't Know About...
• 5 Ways To Make Your Next Party More Memorable
• 7 Reasons Why People Are Still Talking About This Guy From High School
• 8 Tips For A Better First Date
• 9 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I Started My Business

The Benefits of Writing Listicles for Your Blog or Website

Writing listicles can be an incredibly rewarding experience for a blog or website.

From educational to entertaining purposes, writing listicles can provide all kinds of content for readers. Not only do list items make digesting information easier for your audience, but it also provides instant gratification since readers know what the title of the list implies.

Writing in a list format is easy because authors can focus on specific topics with explanations and examples that relate to the overall point of the article.

Not to mention, readers usually earn some kind of takeaway from your succinct piece that they can use in any way they'd like. For those looking to publish something quickly and easily, utilizing a listicle format style could be a perfect choice.

Another advantage is that search engines like Google love list posts. This means having your content read by others using this style of writing is greatly increased.

How to Write a Listicle

Here are some actionable steps you can take right now.

1. Brainstorm Ideas

Start with a topic that interests you and think about what you know about it.  Brainstorm ideas for the list. Can you come up with at least 10 items that are related to the topic?

2. Research and Plan

Do some research on your chosen topic. This will help you further plan out your listicle and decide which points you want to include. You can also look for interesting facts or statistics to back up your ideas.

3. Avoid Using Clickbait Titles

Clickbait titles are misleading headlines designed to entice you to click on the link. They often promise something sensational, like "10 Ways To Make Money Online," or "How To Get Rid Of Acne In 3 Days." 

But once you click, you'll find out it's just another boring article about how to make money online. These headlines aren't helpful because they're too vague; they don't tell you what the author actually wrote. And they're deceptive because they imply there's some secret formula that will help you make money online.

Don't use clickbait titles. Instead, write honest headlines that describe the topic of your post. You might even consider writing a separate headline for each section of your blog post. This way, visitors know exactly what they're getting themselves into.

4. Have a Catchy Title

A great title tells readers what the article is about. If you don't have one, it could mean losing out on traffic.

The best headlines indicate the value of the article without being too promotional. They're short and sweet and include keywords people might use to find similar information.

5. Use Category Buckets if You Have a Long List

Category buckets are a great way to organize long lists of information. They make it easier for people to scan through the entire list because they don't have to scroll up and down. This makes it easy for readers to find what they're looking for.

A good way to organize your own data is to group similar things together. If you have a lot of different types of products, you could put them all under one umbrella category like "products." You could even use subcategories within that category. For example, you could have "electronics," "gadgets," "phones," etc.

6. Use Plenty of Images

Lists are boring without images or GIFs. They add visual interest and make it easier to understand what you're saying. You can also use images to explain complex concepts or data.

7. Include Pros and Cons

Including pros and cons gives readers a balanced view of the topic you're discussing. It helps them make an informed decision about the topic and shows them both sides of the argument.

8. Keep it Concise

Keep your listicle short and sweet. Longer lists tend to lose their impact because readers get overwhelmed by too much information at once.

Use succinct language, break up sections with headlines, and include only the essentials in each section so that readers can quickly identify what's important to them.

9. Give Your Audience Actionable Takeaways

10. Make Sure Your Listicle Is Consistent

A listicle is a short article that uses bullet points to organize text into bite-sized chunks. They're great for breaking down complex topics into digestible pieces. But you don't want to confuse readers by having inconsistent formatting throughout your piece.

For example, if you use different fonts, sizes, colors, or spacing for each item in a list, it'll make it difficult for people to understand what's being talked about. And if you use too many different styles, it could look messy. So keep things simple by making sure every item in your listicle follows the same format.

11. End with a Call to Action

12. Proofread and Edit

Proofreading is essential for any writing piece, but it's especially important for listicles because people are scanning rather than reading your entire post.

Check for typos, incorrect facts, and spelling errors before publishing so that readers trust the reliability of your content. Additionally, edit for clarity and brevity to make sure your listicle is concise and easy to read. 

How to Promote Your Listicles on Social Media and Other Channels

Listicles are a great way to engage viewers and communicate complex ideas in an interesting and digestible format.

As such, it's important to make sure that your listicles reach as many viewers as possible.

Social media is one of the best tools for gaining traction with listicles - platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn offer the perfect opportunity to quickly gain visibility.

Additionally, strategically using SEO keywords in your headline can help ensure that your listicle shows up in Google search results when people are looking for related information.

Finally, email newsletters are a great way to share listicles with existing audiences who have chosen to subscribe to things you're talking about. All of these tips will help you to share your awesome content with the widest audience possible!

Conclusion

So there you have it – a comprehensive guide to creating and promoting your very own listicles.

By following the tips I've outlined, you should be able to create engaging content that will keep readers coming back for more.

And don’t forget to promote your work on social media and other channels – the more people who see your amazing listicles, the better!

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