Coach Training Course: Write a List Post [Day 2 - 31DBBB]

Remember – In this series I am writing follow up posts to Darren Rowse’s series on his website with my post taking off on his topic/task expanding on it for coaches who are building their coaching practice.

Day 2 – Today Darren’s topic/task is “Write a List Post” . Go there now and read his post and do the task assignment.

Darren says  a list post is an “effective technique … to write content that gets spread from one person to the next.” This is the goal – to spread your message far and wide to your ideal prospects.

From his “8 Reasons Why List Posts are Powerful for Bloggers” my personal favorites are #2 and #8 -

• Lists keep posts succinct
• Lists break down the complicated

How I feel as a reader of list posts.I enjoy reading a blog that “cuts to the chase” so I don’t have to read thru the “blah, blah, blah” to get to the good stuff. This is especially true if the content of a particular blog can be complex information. A list can be a way to serve up a big idea in small “bite size” installments so that the whole concept is easier to grasp.

How I feel as a writer of list posts. As a writer, I feel that writing a list post can sometimes make communicating a concept in writing much easier.When I begin to write out an idea for a blog post I tend to break it down into a list in my mind so that I know how much I plan to share in one post. It helps me decide if I want to break up my thought into multiple posts.

Here is a process that I like to use:

1. Create a title that sets the stage for delivering a concept
2. Make a list of particular points that I want to make to explain the concept in the post
3. Add 2 – 3 sentences to each item on the list to further elaborate on the point
4. Add an introduction paragraph that leads with a compelling statement of fact to grab reader’s attention
5. Finish the post with a paragraph that calls the reader to action

Here are some of the calls to action that I have in mind as I finalize the blog post:

• comment on blog post
• click through to another post
• email capture page
• ask the reader to consider engaging my services as an individual or group coach

I use these steps frequently as a template for articles as well.

Lists are also a great tool to share resources with your readers. For example if you are a parenting coach you could share a list of the top ten activities to bring on a road trip to keep toddlers occupied. Or, if you’re a business coach you could share a list of places on the Internet to advertise a local business for free.

I would love to hear from you on this. Please leave a comment. Did you make a list to post on your blog? Did you do yesterday’s homework and create an elevator pitch for your blog that ties in with your unique coaching message?

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