Are you here for the yeah write #116 weekly writing challenge? So are we! Sit tight, okay?
All this month, yeah write is following ProBlogger’s 31 days to build a better blog, even on the weekends, even on holidays, even on yeah write weekly writing challenge Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For this week, you can submit a post to the challenge grid if it’s a list (following today’s workbook activity) or if it’s within our regular personal essay or traditional blog anecdote submission guidelines. If you’re looking for the challenge, scroll down to the “odds, ends, reminders” section. If you’re here for 31dbbb, start reading riiiiight here:
Four ways lists can boost your blogging power (see what we did there?)
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- lists draw in readers by making info easily accessible
- lists organize your post
- lists turn the complicated into smaller chunks
- post gone viral? It was likely a list
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As with anything else in life, don’t become overly dependent. Too many lists can start to feel redundant, and you’ll be at risk for losing readers who may be looking for something more substantial. But don’t be all snobby about them, either. Lists are an excellent way to give both you and your readers a break from posts written in paragraph form.
The type of list posts: yup, it’s a list of list posts. We cannot get away
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- narrative lists tell a story, complete with a so what, from beginning to end
- tip lists offer the how-to: 10 easy steps to becoming an awesome blogger
- shout-out lists are a list of your favorite bloggers, web sites and whatnot almost guaranteed to attract the attention of people you’re praising, especially insecure writers
- personal lists of your favorite books, movies, flowers, restaurants will draw in the like-minded and invite many comments from your friends
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How to make your lists more interesting and compelling
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- use photos
- design your list with plenty of white space
- take the time to link to the people and places you’re referencing
- try being on the opposite side of a popular issue in a list: 10 reasons why I hate chiweenies, 10 reasons why nuclear war would be awesome
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Now you try it: write a list post for your blog
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- don’t go over 600 words
- be useful or tell an interesting story
- teach us something
- show us something
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Write your list then link it below so we can come by and check it out. Open to critique? Let us know that at the end of your post. Need some help? Let us know that, too, but keep in mind this is a quick-moving workshop and, by tomorrow, we’ll be on to another topic. Your fellow 31dbbb-ers may have to bookmark your plea and come back to it later. If you’re not adding your list to the challenge grid, use the 31dbbb grid that looks like this:
Here for the yeah write weekly writing challenge? Your grid is the one with the thumbnail avatars. The array of photos, okay?
Grab your badges
The badge for the challenge grid contains the HTML code you need for the Inlinkz app to accept your submission. It’s available in the sidebar, right underneath the “be the first to know” yeah write email blast subscription box and list of quick links. Be sure to paste the code into the html-view of your post before publishing. Your post cannot be dated earlier than June 30th.
Odds, ends, reminders
- Your post can be no longer than 600 words
- Your post can be dated no earlier than June 30th, the day the yeah write #116 badges were officially posted
- The grid is open from Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. to Wednesday at 11:59 p.m.
- It is limited to 50 bloggers
- Voting will take place Thursday from midnight to 10:00 p.m. US eastern
- The winners’ post will be published at noon on Friday
- The weekend moonshine grid will open Friday around 6 p.m. and close Monday by 12:01 a.m.
- No self-promotional posts are allowed on the yeah write grid, including those containing links to other blog events and Internet contests
- Combining your yeah write post with other blog events meant to maximize your exposure and minimize your effort is a no-no
Day two list posts on the text grid, yeah write #116 weekly challenge posts on the photo grid. Madness in comments…
Challenge grid
Hi! I have a question, actually two questions, forgive me if they’re stupid ones, I’m new here! m(__)m
Do captions count towards the 600 word limit? Because my post was under 600 words, but the captions for the pictures I added pushed it over.
Also, I’m kinda in the future (Japan), so my posts will probably always look like they’re published a day late. Is that okay?
Thanks!
Hi Janelle,
Welcome to yeah write! I read your post – I assume you are talking about captions on the photos – they don’t count in the word limit, phew!
It’s ok if you look to be a “day late” on the 31d challenge link up. But anything you submit to the yeah write challenge grid (which this week includes lists of any kind but normally is subject to guidelines found in the quicklinks on the sidebar) must be submitted between Tues 1201am EST and Wed 1159pm EST.
I love you already for your Game of Thrones post!
Hi Stacie,
Thanks, yeah I meant the photo captions. I was surprised to discover the wordpress word counter counts the caption text, I thought at first someone was playing a mean trick on me. I’ll try to play within the time zone rules. I’m assuming my list post was on time because it made it on the grid? Well, either way. Glad to hear you enjoyed it! (#^.^#)
I cheated and used an old post. If it’s not cool, y’all can delete it.
I have an old list post I’m thinking of adding. We should ask Stacie to be sure. It’s her post, her rules! 🙂
If our List Post for today doesn’t make the cut for the challenge grid, can we try again with tomorrow’s post? I really like my list, but not sure if it has what it takes for the Challenge Grid. Such great posts on there already! You guys are so intimidating! lol 😉
Laura,
Tomorrow’s not a writing day – it’s promote your post day. So there won’t be a “write a post” task. Haven’t read your list post yet! ~ Cindy
I love both writing and reading list posts! Seriously – this is probably the one “good” day of this whole project for me as I’m the queen of list posts. Everything else? Not so much. So I guess I should enjoy today 😉
“Especially insecure writers” — I laughed so hard when I read that! Great, concise post, Stacie! I’m not usually a fan of list posts but you make them sound so appealing and cool. I may have to jump in! Maybe I’ll make a list of why I’m unable to complete any blog posts right now:
1. Children
2. Children
3. Children
How am I doing?
Stacie this is hilarious!! After your post and Deb’s yesterday, I’m totally stressed out about my post for tomorrow. Which I haven’t started. Because:
1) Panic
2) Procrastination
3) Doubt
4) Stress
5) Lack of Caffeine.
Going to grab a coffee and start crossing things off my list right now.
xoxox, Cindy
Here is my secret: use Erica as your editor. But you’re good without Erica’s magic touch. Your posts are always awesome on their own. My goal is to someday write posts as amazing as you guys!
I hope Erica helps you format (hint hint).
Stacie, Can Erica and I add old list posts? I linked one up but can delete it if that violates your rules 🙂
Yo! I have no rules. You know that, right? All’s cool!
I have no time either. My list of why looks very similar, with a puppy thrown in! But I’m putting a list up on the challenge grid – because it’s like a free pass!
Yes! I forgot #6: Big Saint Bernard.
I loves me some free passes.