We’ve looked at both the best ways to find and smartest ways to build great lists, but there’s a lot to keep track of and you may be wondering if there’s an easier way to remember everything we’ve talked about so far.
We’ll you’re in luck because we’ve developed a simple acronym to help with your lists: QUEST.
[Q]uestion – Every great list begins with a question, usually reflected in its title, and the more focused the better. From what’s the best place for burritos to which non-fiction murder mystery books to read, start by knowing what purpose this list serves and understand the fundamental question you want it to answer. Every list item you add should answer your question as directly and completely as possible.
[U]se – Make sure the list is practically useful. Is it a checklist? Include check boxes for users. Is it a list of top places to visit in Rome? Include maps and links to booking sites. Even a list of top Hollywood actors should at least link to their IMDB or Wikipedia profile to learn more. The less a list makes you work to find information or take action on it the better.
[E]ngage – Text is fine but it isn’t as great at holding our attention the same way pictures, videos, and maps are. When your attention strays you lose focus and when you lose focus you skim past important information. The more visually engaging a list is the easier it is to absorb or pass on to others the information contained in it.
[S]horten – Remember the rule, any more than ten list items is too many for a user to fully comprehend. If you’re trying to list the top spots of a great vacation destination you want your reader to be able to consider how all of your suggestions holistically make for a great trip when considered together. A short list also helps with engagement, is more approachable, and can assist readers in mentally processing rankings and ‘best of’ lists. Sometimes this means getting creative and breaking down a larger list into smaller groupings but it will definitely improve the value of your list to the user.
[T]arget – Finally, maintain focus with your list. Set answering your primary question as the target each list item must hit. You might think working out at the gym is the best way to get exercise, but if your list is for the best ways to get exercise on a budget suggesting a costly gym membership doesn’t make sense. This also includes sticking to what your list promises. If your list is called ’10 best beaches in France’ it should contain ten list items. This means no ‘bonus’ list items or including smaller lists under a broader list item. When your content doesn’t match your title it confuses readers and can leave them with more questions than answers.
Hopefully, this helps keep list best practices top of mind and improves the lists you create and the lists you choose to use.
Happy QUESTing!
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