3 Reasons Why Numbered Lists Work
If you want to grab your reader’s attention online, you need to stand out. That said, there are about a gazillion blogs and tweets online that are crying for attention. How can you still make sure your post is the one that is read? One thing clearly helps: include ordered lists in your title.
The most retweeted Mashable tweet on March 27, 2010 proves me right. “15 Essential Social Media Resources You May Have Missed” enlists 15 popular posts from the site earlier this week. 10 out of 15 posts include a numbered list in the title! Just take a look at “5 Stellar Ways to Explore Space Using Social Media“, “6 Easy Ways to Score the Best Deals with Social Media“ or “4 Ways Non-Profits Can Use Google Buzz“. Or how about “3 Useful iPhone Apps to Help File Your Taxes“? I believe I’ve made my point.
Why do we keep making these lists?
- People have the tendency to cling to numbers if they see them. Numbers are simple and attractive, exact and secure. If a post states 10 reasons why Twitter is popular, we will generally accept those reasons to be true even when foundation is missing.
- Our brain can handle far more content if that content is clearly structured. Given the fact that time of internet users has become precious, numbering content can speed up the process of reading. Numbers organize our thoughts.
- It is a well-known fact that people remember things better if they are enlisted. Try memorizing a full text. Then summarize it in 5 main points and memorize again. The difference is obvious.
Now, are you planning on starting an influential blog any time soon? Start making those beautifully numbered, claiming-to-be-true lists!
Evi
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