Low on Listicle Ideas? Here’s How to Generate Them With Ease

Running low on ideas for your listicles? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Discover how to effortlessly generate amazing listicle ideas, write compelling headlines, and create high-quality list posts that will grab your readers’ attention.

We all know that listicles are incredibly popular in the blogging world. Both bloggers and marketers love them. But what about readers? Well, according to a study by Semrush, listicles drive a whopping 80% more traffic than other types of headlines. Not only that, but they also excel at generating social media shares and earning valuable backlinks.

Clearly, listicles are a content type that is worth investing in. In this article, we will show you how to brainstorm interesting listicle ideas and how to create engaging content using AI marketing tools. But first, let’s address the burning question: Why are listicles so popular?

The truth is, when people search for information, they want it to be comprehensive and easily accessible. They don’t want to spend hours scouring the internet or compare various sources to form their opinions. This is where listicles come in. They compile related information in one place, saving readers time and effort. This convenience factor is a major reason why listicles drive so much traffic from search engine results.

Imagine you’re searching for “content marketing statistics.” Which result would you choose? While other factors may influence your decision, chances are you would go for the article that promises to provide the most information. After all, the more information at your fingertips, the higher the chances of finding what you’re looking for.

But there’s more to listicles than just convenience. They also enhance readability and user experience by breaking content into numbered lists. This helps readers stay focused and makes it easier to revisit specific points later on.

Now, let’s dive into how you can generate captivating listicle ideas that will drive traffic and create a positive user experience.

Generating listicle ideas is similar to brainstorming ideas for your overall blogging or content marketing strategy. It’s all about understanding your audience and what interests them. This is where customer feedback and keyword research come in handy.

1. Listen to your audience:

Connect with your audience through surveys, polls, interviews, or online reviews. Engaging with them and truly listening can yield fantastic ideas. Look for common questions, challenges, or goals they have and transform them into list posts.

2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research:

Don’t just focus on how popular or competitive a topic is. Take search intent into consideration as well. There are four types of search intent: informational, navigational, commercial, and transactional. Tailoring your listicle ideas based on search intent can be a game-changer.

For example, if you offer an affiliate marketing tool, and your target audience consists of people looking to start a side hustle and eventually go full-time, consider these topic ideas:

– Informational: “9 Side Hustles That You Can Start Today and Scale Tomorrow”
– Navigational: “The Top 20 Resources For Learning About Affiliate Marketing”
– Commercial: “13 Must-Have Affiliate Marketing Tools”
– Transactional: “15 Places You Can Buy [Your Company’s Tool] to Make Affiliate Sales”

3. Let Jasper lend a hand:

When you’re stuck or short on time, artificial intelligence can be a lifesaver. Jasper, in particular, offers helpful templates for blog post ideas. Simply enter your company name, a brief description, your target audience, desired tone of voice, and even example headings if you have them. In no time, Jasper will generate plenty of listicle ideas to keep your content marketing team busy for months!

Want to create click-worthy listicles that grab attention and drive traffic? This is the guide for you! We’ll show you four formulas to generate irresistible listicle ideas that will have readers clicking and sharing.

Formula #1: Number + adjective + target keyword + rationale + promise

Learn from Optinmonster’s post, “10 Proven Tips to Create Blog Posts That Convert Like Crazy,” a perfect example of a well-done listicle idea. This formula tells readers how many tips they’ll get, instills confidence by mentioning they’re proven, and promises crazy conversions for their blog posts. You can use this formula too to spark interest in your content and earn traffic and backlinks.

Formula #2: Number + adjective + example description

Take inspiration from Ahrefs’ post, “7 Successful Amazon Affiliate Websites (That You Can Learn From),” which gets over 3,000 monthly visits. This formula sets expectations for readers and provides vivid descriptions that hook their attention. Don’t just cover general topics; break down real-life examples that your audience can benefit from.

Formula #3: Number + target keyword + benefit

Databox’s post, “24 Twitter Marketing Tips For Driving Engagement, Leads, & Sales,” proves that clarity is key. This straightforward headline tells readers exactly what to expect and aligns with the results they desire. Being direct leaves no room for confusion and can drive more interested traffic and qualified leads.

Formula #4: Number + noun + suggested action

Litmus nailed it with their post, “4 Strategies for Upselling Emails You Should Steal.” This formula identifies the topic and number of strategies offered and hints at the quality of information. Including calls-to-action in your listicle headlines can grab attention and encourage readers to take the next step.

Bonus: Other effective headline types for listicles

In addition to the four formulas above, other headline types that work well for listicles include how-tos, lessons, comprehensive lists/ultimate guides, questions, and research-based stats. Now that you have the formulas, here are

5 steps to creating an engaging listicle:

1. Outline your points based on your audience’s interests and needs.
2. Revise and organize your outline for the best flow.
3. Source examples or research to back up your points.
4. Flesh out the content in a first draft.
5. Edit, proofread, add images and numbers for a polished final product.

With these tips, you’ll be creating compelling listicles that captivate your audience and drive engagement. Start getting more clicks today!