• Listicles By Oceana
• Listicles Game Online

12 official Himig music videos released. January 07, 2021 AT 11:27 AM. One of these 12 Himig entries will soon be hailed as MYX Choice for. Simply put, a listicle is an article written in list-format. Each list item will typically include either a few sentences or multiple paragraphs, and a listicle is meant to either educate or delight readers. You might read a fun listicle, like 'The Top 10 Movies of 2020', or a more informational one, like '7 Steps to Build a Website'.

For those of you who haven't seen the Internet in the last five years, listicles are quite popular. The 'listicle,' arguably popularized by Buzzfeed, is a sort of catchall phrase for any article that appears in the form of a list. Often, there are GIFs accompanying each point, though there can also be still images, or sometimes, no images at all. Sometimes, listicles are made up of 45 points, with only one line explaining each; other times, there are only eight points, with several paragraphs explaining each, like this one. As I'll get into below, there are many ways to write a listicle, and no one formula for utilizing the form.

That said, as one of the people who reviews the freelance pitches that come into Bustle, I can tell you what I'm looking for in a listicle as an editor. Sites like HelloGiggles, Buzzfeed, and Mic might have different things they're looking for in a listicle, and as a rule for pitching in general, you should be sure to familiarize yourself with what the articles look like on the site you're pitching to, and cater to that. But in general, I think many of these rules should serve you well, no matter where you're pitching.

Here are my eight tips for getting your listicle published.

1. Remember: Listicle Does Not = Lazy

This is the most important tip on here. Just because you're writing a list, that doesn't mean your writing or ideas can be lazy. In fact, because you already have a lot of the structuring work done for you, you should be devoting even more energy to your concept and form. Often, people get lazy with their writing or ideas when they put things in list form, which is the easiest way to have your pitch rejected. Because so many lists have already been done, you need to put even more energy into making sure your idea is original and well-executed. Which brings me to...

2. Choose Your Angle Wisely

Let's say, for example, that you want to write about your experience living abroad. I get a ton of pitches for lists on that topic, so you need to find a way to make your listicle stand out. Ask yourself: what was unique about my experience? What wouldn't people expect? What didn't I expect? Write out a few sample headlines, trying to get to as interesting an angle as possible.

So, for example, instead of writing '9 Things I Learned Studying Abroad,' you might write '9 Ways French Guys Are Different Than American Guys' or '9 Things That Surprised Me About French Culture When I Studied Abroad.'

3. Map Out Your Subheds

Once you have an angle, it's time to map out your subheds — aka the title of each point on the list (3.'Map Out Your Subheds'). You don't have to follow these no matter what — you might find when you're writing that one subhed is actually two, smaller points, or that one point ends up being repetitive — but you should try to have them mapped out before you begin writing. You also want to make each subhed as specific and surprising as possible. So, for example, for a piece I wrote, '11 Things I Didn't Expect About Getting An IUD,' these were my subheds:

1. They Wouldn't Let My Boyfriend Come Into The Room; 2. I Had A Spiritual Experience ... With RBG; 3. I Had Some Very Surprising Feelings About My Fertility; 4. Dealing With The Insurance Was Worse Than The Pain; 5. The Procedure Was Kind Of Like Demented Yoga; 6. She Spent A Lot Of Time Washing Out My Cervix; 7. Getting Shot In The Cervix Is Less Painful Than You'd Think; 8. I Wasn't Sure When It Actually Went In; 9. I Started Crying When It Was Finished — But Not In Pain; 10. It Didn't Totally Ruin My Night; 11. I Was Afraid Of The Wrong Things.

Note that each of these points are pretty specific. Most of them also leave something to be understood further — you don't want to give away everything in the subhed. Because people tend to skim lists, you want to write subheds that entice the reader to read your actual piece. They should be specific — but not too confusing or vague — and make the reader want to know more, and actually read what you wrote.

Writing out subheds this specifically will also help you keep yourself focused on what's interesting about your story, grounding you in the details, rather than vague summaries. When in doubt, split up broad subheds into more, smaller subheds.

4. Know Your Different Listicle Options

There are actually lots of different kinds of listicles out there, and it's useful to know which kind you're aiming for before you start writing. I'll list a few listicle formats that I publish on Bustle, but again, you'll want to familiarize yourself with each site you're pitching to, and match their preferences.

1. The Personal Essay-Turned-Listicle. This is really a personal essay disguised as a list. It is about an experience you had, and it should be very personal. Often, if these lists are well done, they also incorporate some outside research and context, the way a reported story would. A few good examples: 'What Getting A Medical Abortion Was Like For Me,' '6 Reasons I'll Never Wear A Bra Again,' '5 Things That Changed After I Stopped Eating Animals.'
2. Advice-Based-On-Experience-Listicle. Much like the personal essay lisitcle, this is based on your personal experience, and might incorporate research. The difference is your tone is not only of sharing your experience, but also giving (humble) advice. Some examples: 'What Should You Say To Someone Who's Lost A Family Member? 9 Cliches To Avoid — And 3 Things That Might Help,' 7 Hacks To Get Turned On ASAP (Or Better Yet, Slowly & Deliciously),' 'How To Respond To 9 Common Anti-Feminist Comments.'
3. The Researched Roundup. These are heavily researched stories, in list form. They should be linked thoroughly from multiple, credible sources. Many of the articles that Bustle's JR Thorpe writes are great examples of these. A few I loved: 'How To Help A Friend Who's Having An Abortion,' '9 Signs You Have A Toxic Parent,' 7 Old Wives' Tales That Are Actually Scientifically Proven.'
4. The Reported List. If you're new to reporting, or if you just want to find a more marketable way to pitch a harder news story, you might consider turning it into list form. I love doing this sometimes myself — none of the reporting should be dumbed down, but it can be a great way to trick people into learning something. A few examples: 'Are Tampons Safe? 7 Reasons We Should Be Concerned About The Ingredients In Feminine Hygiene Products,' 'What's Next For The Gay Rights Movement?'
5. The Lots-Of-Little-Points List. This is your traditional long listicle, and it can potentially be a good way to start publishing — if you have a specific enough angle and execute it well. For these, you want to focus again on the specificity of your points, but keep text under each GIF to a line or two, rather than a few paragraphs. A few examples: '30 Things Only Oakland Natives Understand, Because We Hold The Fairyland Key,' '45 Little Ways You Know You Have A Good Boyfriend.'
6. The Editorial-Turned-List. This is political and editorial in nature, and you are trying to argue a specific point, often pegged to pop culture or the news, though not necessarily. Some Examples: '5 Important Reasons I Can't Love Taylor Swift Anymore,' '7 Reasons Why Every Woman Should Absolutely Poop At Work,' '7 Things That Prove You're A Feminist Even If You Think You're Not.'

5. Keep It Tight

In general, if you're pitching a list to Bustle, you'll want to follow this format: 220 to 300-word intro, 7+ subheds, 1-2 paragraphs under each GIF. It is slightly different for a list over 15 or so points (intro is the same length, but each point should only have 1-3 lines under a GIF), or a personal essay list (there's a bit more room, potentially, for 3-4 graphs under each point). That said, you always, always want to make things as tight as possible when you're writing, and should compose your list with that in mind. (Here are some tips on self-editing to help with that.) For our site, lists run anywhere between 700-1300 words. Make sure you're within that range if you're pitching.

Once again, this is what I'm looking for — these are by no means formatting rules for other sites. You'll want to check out their lists and copy the average format and word count to cater your pitch to them.

6. Choose Your Images Wisely

After you've written your list, you can stand out by already embedding GIFs (or still images, if your piece is very serious) into your attached full draft.

When you're choosing your GIFs, you should have fun with it, and keep paying editorial attention. Just because GIFs are silly, that doesn't mean they should be random. Look for ones that help reinforce your point, or add humor to the piece. Though images of thin, white, cis people dominate all media, go out of your way to represent many different types of people in your GIFs.

To find the right GIF, I like to just Google specific phrases + GIF, based on the subhed (i.e. for subhed 'Keep It Tight,' I Googled 'Keep It Tight GIF'. You could also use a site like Giphy to find your images.

7. Don't Skimp On Your Ending

Sometimes, people get a little lazy when it comes to wrapping up lists. I can see how it's tempting to just end it, but just because it's a list, that doesn't mean you should end too abruptly. Either take a moment to wrap things up, or have a great kicker (that would be your witty last line).

8. Make Sure The Site You're Pitching Hasn't Published Your Listicle Already

Once you're ready to pitch, read my article on proper pitching etiquette, but add a crucial step: make sure the place you're pitching hasn't already published the list. Sure, there are a lot of ways to come at a popular story, but you need to make sure your exact angle hasn't been done.

I suggest Googling your headline with the site's name to figure this out, (e.g.,'Reasons Not To Shave Your Legs Bustle'). If you find the site has done it (and we very well might have) that's your cue that your headline, and potentially your subheads, need to be made more specific. Rework it until your angle is fresh. (You can also troubleshoot this before you start writing, by doing a simple Google search of your sample headline and seeing what else is out there.)

Good luck, and remember: listicles don't have to be dumb. Try to elevate the form whenever you can, by using humor, honesty, good writing, research, and originality. Compose your listicles wisely, and you'll be publishing in no time.

Images: FluxFactory/E+/Getty Images; Giphy

Everyone loves a good Top 10 list. We see them in magazines, scroll through them on blogs and usually chuckle when Clickhole or McSweeney’s serve up a satirical top ten.

Listicles provide a punchy way to assemble information in an easy-to-read article format. We asked writers and editors what makes a listicle work, why audiences can’t get enough of them and how to craft one.

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And, in true listicle fashion, we put it in a list.

1. Come Up with a Strategy

Listicles may look easy to put together, but there is quite a bit of strategizing that goes into these often simple-looking pieces. The first step toward listicle success is to keep the content fresh; tied into something current. “Perhaps there is a movie or popular TV show coming out that would make a good top 10 piece,” says Sarah Sekula, an Orlando-based writer whose “10 Great Places…” series appears regularly in USA Today.

Anahid Lisa Derbabian, founder of Integrity Communications in Michigan, says a good Top 5 or Top 10 article begins with a hot topic that can include an emerging area or current trend. Make sure your audience is going to relate to the theme: “Envision your audience and what they may find compelling, funny, interesting, helpful,” Derbabian says.

While you may not choose a headline first, the headline should have catchy phrasing. You can play off a familiar saying, a movie title, well-known song or an alliteration, says Marissa Spano, branding and marketing consultant in New York City.

Sometimes starting out by jotting down the five, eight, 10 or 15 points is a good start to help get your creative juices flowing. She says writers can branch out on ideas by drawing a diagram to help visualize the piece. “Then, create specific and value-laden points and go back and edit each to make your points impactful with as few words as possible,” says Derbabian.

Good Top 10 lists have topically relevant tidbits in the teaser copy or subheadings to lure in the reader, while the paragraph elaborates on the individual topic, Spano adds. The key is to keep things concise, she notes.

“You’re not writing a book—you’re just listing its chapters,” explains Spano. “With a society stricken with ADD, it’s the easiest way to get across your message.”

Josh Catone, press writer at Seant, said listicles haven’t become popular because people lack attention spans, but because our attention is more fragmented—so the lists work well to convey information. Since Web audiences are generally multitaskers, “a format like the Top 10, which steps the reader from beginning to end in a clear, easy-to-follow, chronological way, works really well,” says the Texas-based editor. “It’s hard to get lost in a list post because you’re being ushered through.”

2. Rank and File

In Sekula’s USA Today listicles, she doesn’t rate the stores or swimming locations to show which is better than the next—all are top picks. Another way to present a top 10 is ranking items from good to best (or bad to worst), and it can be alluring to read your way down to No. 1.

If you do choose to rank your tips, you’ve got to put a lot of thought into the process, says Scott Ferguson, a copywriter from California. He says polling other people from a relevant demographic can help you get ideas for which topics to feature. Once you’ve got what you think is the best of the bunch, ranking them properly is crucial.

“You don’t want your best, most entertaining entry in the No. 8 slot, for instance,” Ferguson says. “If a majority of readers think your No. 10 should really be No. 1, then you’ve sabotaged your list’s integrity.” Some writers may be naturals at ranking; others can tap their original resources to get feedback on list order, Ferguson suggests.

“The list should build in interest, relevance and ‘I-didn’t-know-that’ surprise as you count down to No. 1, Ferguson adds. “The payoff needs to validate the time spent reading the entire list.”

3. Use Humor—and a Little Snark

One thing you’ve probably noticed in your favorite Top 10 lists is that they’re a little edgy—not only in what they say, but in how they say it.

“The art of the list is all about the humor. The snarkier, the better,” says Brock Cooper, an Illinois-based writer.

He notes that many people anticipate what’s in a listicle when they read the title. “It’s how you package that keeps them reading,” adds Cooper. He says that if you hook the reader with the first entry on your list, you’ll likely get them to read the entire thing. But if you fill your article with boring facts, the reader will move on.

Cooper says that as more articles are created using the list format, many are becoming too predictable.

“The readers are familiar with the subject and have an idea of at least what some of the listings are going to be,” he adds. “You have to have three or four that come out of left field.” Cooper recommends including a rare trivia fact or something that will engage the reader in order to make a listicle stand out.

Britt Reints, a Florida-based freelance writer, agrees that adding something unexpected is vital to a solid listicle. “Sure, a few of the items on your list might be no-brainers,” says Reints. “But if you’re not adding anything new to previous discussions, your Top 10 list is nothing more than a regurgitation of other people’s ideas.”

When Reints wrote a listicle about the worst zombie movies of all time, he chose Land of the Dead to start his article. Some readers say movie did not belong on his list, since the director is a pioneer of modern zombie flicks. “It got a rise out of them,” notes Cooper.

4. Boost Shareability to Drive Traffic

Readers like listicles, but there are payoffs for magazines and writers, too. Top 10’s usually generate quite a bit of traffic online, which can boost the reputation of the writer and the publication. Use the right keywords—and not too many of them—and you can strike gold.

“Lists are great for generating traffic, particularly online,” says K. Tighe, former publisher and editor of Poor Taste magazine. “The key is making sure we don’t trade quality content in for the easily searchable kind.”

In addition to the right blend of keywords to drive traffic to a list online, Tighe says another way to drive traffic to an article is to create a buzz around it. She recommends that editors and writers work together to determine which criteria is necessary when doing a ranked list. This ensures the list is well thought-out with the purpose of engaging readers and, in the social media age, getting them to talk to each other about the piece.

“People will disagree, controversy will ensue, which is great for traffic,” says Tighe. “But controversy should never be the goal. Great content should be the goal.”

What’s all the fuss about when it comes to driving traffic? Websites like Digg encouraging people to read listicles helps to get them to read your publication, and ultimately, to purchase your product or service.

Because of the nature of listicles, they are likely to be shared, adds Mashable’s Catone. “There’s something about lists that make them eminently sharable,” says Catone. “The anticipation you experience while reading through a list makes it almost feel participatory. That, coupled with their accessibility, makes lists good material to share with large groups of people, which of course makes them very attractive to editors.”

5. Ask Yourself: “Should I Say It in a List?”

So if you’ve got a monster idea for a listicle, is this the right format for your words?

“Pretty much any piece of journalism can be converted into a listicle, but not every piece should be,” Tighe says.

Because Tighe covers the food industry in her publication, she uses listicles to help identify trends, incorporate dishes and restaurants from different locations and get fresh content up quickly. “If a reader wants to know where to eat the best Chicago hot dog, a long-form piece on its history isn’t going to be much help,” she says. “A pithy list of the 10 greatest dogs in Chicago, with representation from various neighborhoods, is exactly what readers need.”

A listicle can include ramblings off the top of one’s head, or it can incorporate interesting facts and quotes from related sources. According to Catone, it all depends on the goal of the feature, and it depends on the website, as well as the audience.

“At Mashable, if we’re talking about the top 10 ways to market your site on Twitter, we’re going to look for anecdotes, stats, expert opinions and examples to lend credence to our advice,” says Catone. “But for another site, say the personal blog of a known social media expert or someone trying to brand herself as such, just their opinions might suffice.”

Listicles By Oceana

So go ahead and get familiar with the numbering feature in your word-processing software. Once you start writing your listicle, it’s hard to stop at 10. And why should you?

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