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NOTE: This is part 4 of a 7-part series that describes the main types of blog posting formats. See the index to this series for the complete list.

A list-format blog posting combines several short items into a single posting. This could be a collection of anecdotes, examples, categories, links or link blurbs, quotes, product recommendations, etc. It also might be a series of instructions for readers to follow.

List-format blog postings are preceded by a brief introduction, but they don’t necessarily require a conclusion.

Example: Most of my Grab Bag postings are compilations of link blurbs. Also, see this recent posting from Dina Mehta. My 10 Cool things to do with Furl piece was a list posting. And of course, there is this list posting on the Top Ten Reasons Why Hurrican Season is Like Christmas.

ADVANTAGES: Easy to Scan and Read, Allows Detail

If your blog covers several topics, list-format postings can help you bundle together items that belong to a particular topic. In some cases (depending on your blog’s layout) this can actually make your blog easier to scan than posting each item separately – especially if the items being bundled into a list posting are all links or link blurbs.

Or if your blog primarily offers more in-depth postings, an occasional list-format posting can allow you to publish many smaller items without overburdening your readers with the initial appearance of lots of long articles.

If you need to publish a lot of detail about a topic or process, the list format can make that detail easier to scan and comprehend. The list structure inherently denotes connections and context associated with disparate pieces of information.

List postings can be either primary content or referral content – or a mix of both. Again, the difference is focus:

• For referral content, the main focus of the posting is a link to another site, perhaps with some additional commentary or context. Any non-link content in the post exists primarily to support the link. (link-only postings, link blurbs).
• For primary content, the main focus of the posting is what that author has to say. (brief remarks, short articles, long articles, series) Any links included in the post exist primarily to support the author’s message. In general, it seems that primary content is more likely to attract inbound links (from other sites, blogs, etc.).

DISADVANTAGES: Readers May Miss Important Content

If you choose to bundle several short items together into a list-format posting, readers who are scanning your blog’s home page (or e-mail alert, or webfeed) might not realize the breadth of information concealed behind a single headline. Thus, they may miss content that would appeal to them.

TIPS

Try to keep items in your list fairly succinct – just a paragraph or two each at most. Also, try to keep the items of roughly equal length. These strategies enhance the experience of a reader who is ready to absorb a big chunk of content broken into small bites.

If you publish a webfeed and/or e-mail alert: Each time you publish a list posting for which the headline doesn’t indicate a specific topical focus, include in your new-content announcement a table-of-contents-style rundown of the main headings within that list. This gives readers enough information to decide whether they wish to view the full posting.

For example, here’s how I announce a list-format posting in an earlier CONTENTIOUS e-mail alert:

9. AMY’S GRAB BAG: AUG. 26, 2004

Once again, here’s a smattering of interesting items which have caught my attention lately.

TOP OF THE LIST: The ASTD E-Learning Handbook, edited by Allison Rossett. My Dad just got me this book for my birthday. (See, my BestBookBuys wish list came in handy!) It’s fabulous. I’ve been devouring it in spare moments.

I’ve read several books on e-learning, mostly how-to and theory. This book offers unique appeal because it’s actually a compilation of articles where e-learning practitioners discuss (mostly in plain language) the practicalities, possibilities, and pitfalls of this field. It’s fascinating reading – right up there with my other favorite title in this genre, “Michael Allen’s Guide to E-Learning.” Thanks, Dad!

** READ THE REST OF THE GRAB BAG: http://tinyurl.com/4ea62

It includes:

• Personal knowledge management tools
• How sleazy can search engine spamming get?
• Innovation in blog design
• HTML email is not evil

Also, state whether there is a sequence or heirarchy within your list. If so, it’s best to come out and say so, rather than expect readers to pick it up by implication.

NEXT: The short article posting format…

PREVIOUS: The brief remark format

INDEX to this series.