The Web loves lists! So do we! So does the Problogger himself.

But we know how difficult it can be get started on your first list. Taking the plunge can be difficult.

Never fear! We’re here to help! Keep this handy guide to making lists handy. You might even print it off and put it in your pocket!?

Top Ten How to Write a Top Ten Lists List

1. Count up or count down? Decide whether you’re going to count down from ten or up from one. If you have trouble, the numbers are in the following order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Reverse them for a countdown. You’ll see that I’ve chosen to go up from one, but you can do whatever you like.
2. Choose some content. This will make or break your list. As the saying goes, “lists without content are little more than numbers”. Once you have written the numbers down, decide what you’re going to put next to them. Words? Pictures? Suggestions? Video? I would not advise numbers, unless it’s a list of say, telephone numbers.
3. That’s two decisions made already, so we can move directly onto number four.
4. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Making a list isn’t the be-all and end-all. Sure, there are lots of really successful list-makers out there, but some of them don’t sleep, or have strained relationships with their partners. I know of one famous list-maker who hasn’t seen his children for four years. Remember: everything in moderation.
5. Is your list useful? Today’s internet users are a savvy lot. Is your list going to be useful? Or at least distracting. My golden rule of thumb is the following: “If you can’t eat it, wash with it, sell it, buy it, train it or find it, it’s just not worth making into a list.” How-To guides are very trendy at the moment. But everything comes in and out of fashion. Remember when we used to dance to Gary Glitter.
6. Who is your target audience? Examples of audiences include warm audiences, cold audiences, audiences that are eager to learn and audiences that know it all. Are you playing to a stadium or a church hall? Feel free to ask your audience what they want to hear. A simple question along the lines of “What kind of list would you like to see?” will suffice. Make sure your list appeals to your audience. People who eat food from a packet in public probably won’t be interested in fashion or fitness, for example.
7. Publish your list. Don’t be scared by the word publish! You don’t need a book-deal to publish your list (although God knows it helps!) Some people pin their lists to a window of a local shop, others put them on a Blog on an Internet. Once you’ve done it once, it will be much easier in the future, like drink-driving.
8. Try not to preach. Nobody likes somebody telling them what to do and what not to do. Helpful suggestions are more warmly received than instructions. You should not write in red ink, you should not WRITE IN CAPS. You should not write in any foreign languages, which are largely wrong, and you SHOULD accept God into your life if you don’t want to end up in the fiery depths of hell.
9. Welcome feedback. Your list might be great, but it could be greater. You should welcome constructive criticism from friends and local dignitaries. Some people who will be happy to give you feedback on your list include your mother, the local football coach, the man who delivers the milk and the librarian. People who will be less willing to give feedback are other list-writers and politicians. They are far too busy.
10. Do not run out of things to say …

So there you go! Happy list-writing and don’t hesitate to leave your comments! We’d love to hear from you!

The list-happy crowd at Eurojism!