Five Things Not To Do in Your Five Things To Do Post
The interwebs are littered with list posts. You know what I'm talking about: five ways to make your blog stand out; 100 ways not to get arrested; 8 tips for getting your content on Mashable; or, 10 YouTube videos that really rock.
My point is, blogging about tips and lists is an easy thing to do and that's why most bloggers will write them. Heck, that's why I'm writing this one.
However, I'm not writing it to give you tips on any of the subjects listed above, I'm writing it to give you tips on what not to do when writing your tips post.
With that said, here are five mistakes to avoid:
- Don't be Captain Obvious. No one likes to be told what they already know, especially when they think they are going to be reading something that could be helpful for them.
- Don't use fake examples just because it fits the point you're trying to make. If you want blogging street cred, write from experience.
- Don't make a list of all lists. Keep it brief and digestible so your readers can remember what they read and retain it. A list of 20 plus items is only as good as what your reader can retain, which in most cases will be about three to five things.
- Don't forget to tip your waitress, or in the case of blogging, source your material. With the volume of blogs that are out there, your list post probably has a twin brother floating out there somewhere. If you find one, source it and give credit where credit is due.
- Don't forget your audience. If you think the list post will be helpful because you find it informative, it doesn't mean that your audience will find it informative. Ask yourself: What does my audience typically like from me when it comes to content. What types of posts typically drive traffic? Use those parameters to help you build a list post that will meet your audience's pain points.
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