Write a great list with this listicle template

6 tips for crafting list articles, blog posts

People love listicles. Lists get attention, reach skimmers and scanners, get remembered and shared.

No wonder you see so many communicators write listicles and long-form list posts for their social media and content marketing streams. But not all listicle formats are created equal.

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What format works best for listicles? No matter what type of listicle you’re writing, use this six-step template for formatting high-quality listicles and list articles:

1. Show the parts.

Add bold-faced lead-ins so skimmers can see at a glance what the list items are:

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2. Show the whole

OK. Now I know what the items on the list are. But what is this a list of? Add a subhead so skimmers can see the whole as well as the parts:

How to wash produce

• When preparing any fresh produce, begin with clean hands. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water before and after preparation.
• Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fresh fruits and vegetables before preparing and/or eating. Throw away any produce that looks rotten.
• Wash all produce thoroughly under running water before preparing and/or eating, including produce grown at home or bought from a grocery store or farmers’ market. Washing fruits and vegetables with soap, detergent or commercial produce wash is not recommended.
• Even if you do not plan to eat the skin, it is still important to wash produce first so dirt and bacteria are not transferred from the surface when peeling or cutting produce.
• Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
• After washing, dry produce with a clean cloth towel or paper towel to further reduce bacteria that may be present on the surface.

Now this list is a free-standing information package. Flippers and skimmers can get the gist of that message without reading every word.

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How do you reach nonreaders with words?

Most readers spend, on average, fewer than 15 seconds on a page, according to a study by Chartbeat.

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