There is 1 sure-fire way to get ultimate attention from socially driven sites and that is to write an article that contains a really good listing. If you look at the current prominent articles on CopyBlogger you'll note the following:

10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer (397 comments)

Four Steps to Finding Your Ideal Writing Voice (144 comments)

Ernest Hemingway's Top 5 Tips For Writing Well (283 comments)

5 Steps to Going Viral on Twitter (282 comments)

10 Secrets to More Magnetic Copy (178 comments)

So you can see that internet marketing articles that contain a directory are extremely popular, because people just love lists, and here's why.

The Law of the List

Adore them or hate them, informational articles given in list layout are easily digestible, and allow for an efficient transfer of your value proposition to the browser.

Left Brain versus Right Brain

Simply put, lists work because they conform to the idea of "Left-Brain Marketing". Everyone has two sides of the brain, and each part controls a specific way of thinking. The left brain is analytical, and prefers a step-by-step approach (i.e. lists) while the right brain prefers to see the big picture first and then deal with the details later.

Many social media users like to know exactly what they're in for, and the list format caters clearly to that need. It lets them know up front in the headline what to expect and what their expected time commitment will be.

So what are the seven things you should know about making lists in your online marketing articles?

1. Do I have to make a list to be successful?

Making a list helps your content succeed because it is more palatable for social media, but of course other approaches work, too. The key is writing competent content, and creating an excellent list gives you an extra expand in terms of presentation and connecting with your readers.

2. Why does making a list work?

constructing a list within your internet marketing article works because of the specific nature of the headline. There is a very clear message of what the reader is in for, and the structure itself reinforces the perceived value of return against the attention invested by the reader.

3. Does writing an article with a list ensure social media success?

Not necessarily. While making lists increases your chances of social media success, there are no guarantees. Fundamentally it comes down to your content.

4. What kind of list should I make?

In order for a list to be truly notable it shouldn't differ from the kind of content you usually write. The piece must be relevant to your subject matter, but given in a distinctive way. A great list has sufficient elaboration on each item to properly flesh out the content.

5. How long should my list be?

There is evidence to suggest that top 10 lists may be viewed as somewhat contrived, while lists shorter than 5 may be seen as not containing enough information. The number 7, which humans have been fascinated with throughout history, may in fact be the magic number, with close to a 60% success ratio in 1 test.

6. I shouldn't start a sentence with a numeral, right?

It's technically true that you shouldn't begin a sentence with a numeral lower than 10. You're supposed to spell it out, such as seven instead of 7. But when it comes to headlines, capable copywriters know to break this rule. The numeral catches the eye immediately, while a spelled-out number takes more work for the reader to realize it's a list.

7. How often should I write an internet marketing article that has a list?

Too much of a good thing is usually a bad thing, and if you keep writing articles with lists you will soon hit a point where you annoy your readers. It's a great idea to throw in a list once in a while but don't overdo it.