This is Day 2 of 31 Days to Build a Better Blog, a group project 50+ other bloggers are doing together in an effort to help each other become better bloggers. You can read more about it and still sign-up to participate here.
What an awesome first day we had in this series yesterday. I am blown away! To see my observations from yesterday check out 6 Things I Learned from Day 1 of #31DBBB.
Today’s lesson is about the list posts. If you’ve been reading blogs for any length of time, you know list posts are very popular. In fact, we have done our fair share of list posts here at Christian Web Trends. Here are some examples…
Top 5 List Posts on Christian Web Trends
- 20 Ways to Share Your Faith Online
- Top 10 Signs Your Church Website Needs a Redesign –
- The 10 Commandments of Social Networking
- 12 Ways to Ensure Easter Attendees Don’t Come Back to Your Church Next Week
- 10 Things I Learned from the Online Church Blog Series
The lesson gives several reasons list posts are so popular. They are easy to write. They’re easy to read. They break the main point up into clearly identifiable bite-size nuggets. In fact, you could make the case that list posts are the Chicken Nuggets of blogging. (Would you like some dipping sauce with that?)
Personally, I have my own theory for why list posts are so popular…
Geeks like numbers.
But that’s just one number-loving geek’s theory. (Full discloser: I was on the math team in high school)
Assignment
The assignment for today is to write a list post for your blog. If you’d like some more advice about writing list posts, check out 10 Steps to the Perfect List Post
Discussion
- Do you agree that list posts are both easier to write and easier to read? Why or why not?
- Of all the tips you’ve read about list posts, which do you think are the most important?
- If you did the assignment and wrote a list post, include a link your comment.
The Extra Mile
A few other things you can do to take your blog, other bloggers, and this project even further today…
- Reply & give other bloggers feedback on their list post
- Go back to 31DBBB – Day 1: The Elevator Pitch & check out the elevator pitches.
- Tweet, share, & bookmark this post. (You could win a $25 gift card!)
- Ask & answer questions about blogging but unrelated to elevator pitches in the forums.
303 Comments
Good format on your list. I like the humor of having 13 top 10s.
I may have been off-base, but it is a list…..
Good ideas.
I have just this year made a church web sitehttp://www.newcovenantgj.org/ using OurChurch.com. I have recently added a Facebook page.
I don’t Twitter yet. Is it that important?
I have my blog both on the church site and blogspot.
Still in the planning stage for audio sermon files or podcasting.
Thanks Erica!
Good afternoon everyone!
Here's my list post for the day: http://campfirecowboyministries.com/2010/05/6-way…
I find that list posts are easier to write for many of the reasons mentioned here already. I do feel that there is one drawback to them. List posts are easier to skim read. If you are really trying to make a point, be sure and don't hide somewhere in the list. People tend to read the list outline and then decide if they want to read what follows it.
In my post, I chose to use the word "keep" in every item as well as in the title in order to keep come consistency with the flow of the post.
Paul, keep up the good work and keep on spreadin' the Word. I will keep on using the word keep until we keep on with tomorrow's assignment. Everyone else, keep doing a good job.
Great post Kevin. I really like the way you use the word "keep" to string through the post. Absolutely right about giving it some consistency and momentum. (also agree that your new layout looks great) About the skimming being a drawback… personally I do tend to skim lists more than reading them, but I think a list is also easier to remember and that's a huge plus in favor of lists.
I just commented on your site. I really enjoyed that list, and I look forward to reading more on your site. I used to ride horses a lot when I lived in the country, and now that I've moved to the suburbs, I don't get to as often. Your list brought back all of the motions and textures and sounds and smells.
I like that you had a short statement in bold at the beginning of each list item. Those are the elevator pitch for each item – they pull you in and make you want to read more.
Good work!
Great post Kevin. I really like the way you use the word "keep" to string through the post. Absolutely right about giving it some consistency and momentum. (also agree that your new layout looks great) About the skimming being a drawback… personally I do tend to skim lists more than reading them, but I think a list is also easier to remember and that's a huge plus in favor of lists.
On a side note, do you prefer to have people comment here or directly on your blog?
Either way…I am checkin' both of them.
I should have re-worded that better. The skimmin' is not a bad thing, just be sure a good point isn't hidden in there somewhere.
Thanks for the compliment on the new layout.
Either way…I am checkin' both of them.
I should have re-worded that better. The skimmin' is not a bad thing, just be sure a good point isn't hidden in there somewhere.
Thanks for the compliment on the new layout.
You didn't keep using the word "keep"! Keep your word! 😛
You didn't keep using the word "keep"! Keep your word! 😛
Great list Kevin – practical and down to earth.
I also loved the use of the word buck that could be mis-read. Whether you did that deliberately or not, it worked for me.
You also used the format I tend to use – introduce it first, then the list and then close it out.
Thanks Stuart….sometimes those are intentional, sometimes they're not. I'll let you decide which one it was this time.
Keep life simple, keep life fun, and if you ain't ridin' hard and fast, you're not really ridin'!!
Good point about being able to skim list posts more easily than essay style posts. Something to really consider.
I was expecting something totally different but I really enjoyed the post. Great job!
Nothing better than the list that keeps on giving: lists that help visitors find their way around your blog and help you lower bounce rates: I did one the other day with the intent of making it repeatable:
Top 10 Posts: April 2010 (page no longer exists)
My only failing in this list is that it does not offer a summary for each point – enticing the ready to take the next step.
Phillip – I guess if the titles are clear enough then adding descriptive text defeats the purpose. I did a list a few days back on my blog (7 Church Tech Blogs) that I added descriptive text to – but only because I felt a straight list in that case wouldn't work.
It might have caused more chatter if I'd said nothing though 🙂
Phillip – I guess if the titles are clear enough then adding descriptive text defeats the purpose. I did a list a few days back on my blog (7 Church Tech Blogs) that I added descriptive text to – but only because I felt a straight list in that case wouldn't work.
It might have caused more chatter if I'd said nothing though 🙂
I like the idea of blogging the top posts. Cool idea.
You crack me up (as I take over Paul's comment section)…
Easier to write. . .maybe. I've been having major writer's block for awhile now and that played into today's blog. It was nice having an 'assignment' to work from though.
Here is the post: http://matman42.blogspot.com/2010/05/top-10-podca…
It seems like your post isn't really connected to your elevator pitch. I know you mentioned that you wanted to blog about observations of life, but your post would also be more meaningful if maybe you tied it back into writing experiments. Your list for example could be something like "10 podcasts that help energize my write brain." or something like that. Just a thought.
It seems like your post isn't really connected to your elevator pitch. I know you mentioned that you wanted to blog about observations of life, but your post would also be more meaningful if maybe you tied it back into writing experiments. Your list for example could be something like "10 podcasts that help energize my write brain." or something like that. Just a thought.
This was one of those where I tried to come up with a tie-in, but my brain wasn't making the connection. I'm aiming for 90%-95% of my posts actually hitting the mark of being within the scope of the pitch. Occasionally it will go off topic though. To your and Kevin's point it could probably use a better title.
This was one of those where I tried to come up with a tie-in, but my brain wasn't making the connection. I'm aiming for 90%-95% of my posts actually hitting the mark of being within the scope of the pitch. Occasionally it will go off topic though. To your and Kevin's point it could probably use a better title.
This was one of those where I tried to come up with a tie-in, but my brain wasn't making the connection. I'm aiming for 90%-95% of my posts actually hitting the mark of being within the scope of the pitch. Occasionally it will go off topic though. To your and Kevin's point it could probably use a better title.
You did a good job.
I think that catchy titles are key to a good list post. (this is in addition to what justapen said)
Matt, the posts / lists where you detail what you read and why are always good fodder for a blog. Even if it doesn't get anyone else reading those blogs it can get you to teh attention of the blogger mentioned which may spark off another blessing altogether.
I alos tend to bookmark lists like these and refer back frequently.
Love that you included Steelehouse! Good list.
"Anytime" is just about right isn't it? But, I think it does help to focus on particular times so that I continue to be self-aware and prepared.