One of the most popular types of writing to come out of the Internet age is the listicle, which is a numbered list with enough content to qualify as an article. These range from high-quality top 25 lists to low-quality articles like “seven child actors – you won’t believe what they look like now!” Have you ever considered using listicles to communicate to your parishioners?
A listicle is universally effective at drawing readers in for several reasons:
- It breaks down complex topics into easily understood portions
- The number in the title tells the reader how much time he or she will need to invest in the article
- The numbered format makes it easy to take a break and return to later
- The title tells the reader exactly what he or she is getting into
However, the listicle is not typically used at the parish level. This week, think about how you might employ this style of writing through your website, parish bulletin and/or e-newsletter. What about “Seven Ways to Serve at the Parish this Summer” or “Four Ways to Have an Amazing Advent” articles to engage your parish this year? Using listicles to communicate is just one more way to get parishioners to interact with your parish.
