Finding niche products means identifying problems that haven’t been adequately solved. You can find these opportunities by searching through online communities and forums like Reddit to understand the interests, passions, and pain points of an audience.
Another way to discover niche product opportunities is by analyzing consumer trends. A good example of this is the “Alternatives Listicle.” This type of content identifies drawbacks to popular products and recommends substitutes.
What is a Listicle?
A listicle is an article that uses a list-like structure to provide readers with information in an easily digestible format. It can be written on any topic and is especially popular as an online content format. These types of articles are often shared and are good for grabbing the attention of people as they skim through search engine results pages. Many of these articles are even featured in the knowledge panels and the “people also ask” sections on SERPs, resulting in more visibility, traffic, and potential conversions for businesses.
Listicles can be on any topic, but they are most effective when they offer practical or unusual information that appeals to readers. They can be found on the web, social media, and print publications like magazines or newspapers. They are also commonly used for blogs, how-to guides, and step-by-step tutorials.
Unlike longform or in-depth pieces, which require detailed research, listicles are relatively easy to write. These articles can be drafted quickly and are easy to edit if necessary. They are also ideal for addressing topics that may not have enough space to provide extensive, nuanced explanations, as each item in the list is typically 50-100 words or less.
While clickbait like posts on the best potato chips or most ripped celebrities give listicles a bad name, they can be highly effective for businesses that create them well. Listicles should be crafted to draw readers in with a catchy headline and an interesting hook, then use the numbered subheadings to provide a sense of progression. The numbered headers can also make it easier for readers to skip through the content and focus on the most important items in your list.
Listicles are a popular blog post format, but they should not be the only type of content you produce for your marketing site. Any content that offers tactical value by solving specific problems or strategic value by assisting decision-makers should be included in your editorial calendar. Avoid publishing short 200-word posts that are purely list-formatted, as Google will penalize your site for thin content and focus on producing longer, in-depth pieces that include the right keywords.
How to Write a Listicle
While writing a listicle may seem simple enough, there are some tricks to getting the most out of this format. For starters, it’s important to choose a topic that lends itself well to the listicle structure. If you find yourself with dangling information that wouldn’t fit into a list or if the subject is too broad to be covered in one article, try breaking it down into a series of smaller posts instead.
Next, you need to write an enticing title that gives readers a clear idea of what they’ll find within the content. For example, a post on “11 ways to save money” is an easy read that provides readers with valuable information while also offering them something they’ll want to share. On the other hand, a post that is entitled “How to make money online” isn’t nearly as interesting.
It’s also important to keep in mind that a listicle should be as comprehensive as possible. This will help ensure that it is engaging to readers and helps you achieve the best SEO results.
Ideally, each of your list items should be accompanied by an image to enhance the reader experience and attract attention. If you’re writing a long listicle, it’s also a good idea to include a table of contents at the beginning of the piece that links out to each of your points. This is helpful for users who are on mobile devices or have short attention spans, as it allows them to quickly navigate through the article.
Another important tip for writing a listicle is to be as detailed as possible with each point. This will allow you to provide a more comprehensive piece of content that can help your audience solve a problem or learn something new. Adding detail to your listicle items can also increase their perceived value and give them an edge over similar posts in the same niche.
Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that a listicle is meant to answer a question or meet a specific user intent. This is why it’s so important to do keyword research to identify the most compelling search queries and make sure your content can answer them effectively. Articles that don’t respond to user intent will perform poorly on search engines like Google.
Tips for Writing a Listicle
While listicles often get a bad rap for being clickbait, the fact is that they can be written about anything and be used to communicate incredibly useful information. As such, they are valuable tools for bloggers and can be used to generate engagement and traffic. This is especially true if they are properly planned and executed.
To produce a great listicle, the first step is to choose a catchy title that makes it clear what readers will find inside the article. It should be attention-grabbing and promise a specific benefit to those who read it, like “11 tips for writing the best email newsletters” or “10 ways to increase the conversion rate of your website”.
Once you’ve chosen a title, plan out each item in your list and ensure that each point will have a value for your audience. Then, write the content for your list item and include a corresponding image or gif to keep your audience engaged. Finally, use a clear numbering system for each item to make it easy for your audience to skim and pick out the most interesting points.
Another important tip for writing a listicle is to avoid being overly subjective or opinion-based. Instead, back up each point with research and data. This will create a more trustworthy and informative piece that your audience will be more likely to trust. It is also important to stay logical when arranging your points, for example using alphabetical or chronological order or following the recommendations of user reviews and case studies.
If you are planning on using your listicle for SEO, be sure to include keywords in the title, slug, and meta description. Ensure that the keywords are relevant to your topic and are highly searched, then incorporate them throughout your article.
As with any article, it’s critical to proofread your listicle before publishing. This will help to ensure that it is accurate, free of spelling and grammar errors, and contains all the necessary information for your audience. Once your listicle is published, make sure to monitor the traffic and conversions it generates so that you can continue to refine your strategy.
Examples of Listicles
For those of us who have an attention span that can barely go beyond 8.25 seconds, listicles are a godsend. They give readers the opportunity to quickly scan an article for important information and skip the parts that don’t pertain to them. And if they do happen to stumble upon an entry that interests them, they can always spend more time on it.
In addition, the brevity and clarity of a listicle make it more engaging than a standard article or blog post. They are also great for search engine optimization, as they tend to rank highly in search results when properly optimized.
As with any piece of content, it’s important to do your research before writing a listicle. This can be done by using online tools like Google Keyword Planner and Ahrefs to find a keyword that has a high amount of traffic (volume) and a low difficulty rating (meaning it’s easier to rank for).
Once you’ve found a potential niche, it’s important to select the best products to offer in that area. This can be done by looking at Amazon’s best sellers or examining Facebook audience insights to see what types of products are most popular. You should also look for products that have strong profit margins and are in demand, as this will allow you to earn more on each sale.
Another option is to create a list of unique products that no one else offers in your niche. This can be a fun way to stand out from the competition and attract more attention from customers. This can be done by creating a custom product catalogue that lists your own exclusive products, or by writing a listicle about the best new innovations in your industry.
Listicles are a great way to promote your brand, drive traffic, and increase engagement. To maximize their effectiveness, make sure to include visuals in your listicle, as this will help them stand out from the rest of your content. In addition, it’s important to keep the content on your listicle interesting and informative, so be sure to provide personal anecdotes and unique perspectives.
