5 ways to decide if it’s worth your time… or does every title need numbers?

So apparently we like a list. Particularly an ordered one that’s numbered. An awful lot of blog posts feature them. Some of my recommended medium reads today included 5, 7, 10 and 39 in their titles. Things like (ok I’m making these up) 10 ways to earn 10 figures, 7 books that will change your life etc etc…

It’s partly because it’s a recognised fact in marketing circles that numbers work. The algorithm bits and bots discovered that including numbers in a title improved the hit rate. Do a quick google on numbers and blog writing and prepare to be dazzled by science. Apparently it’s all to do with things like structure, organisation, scan ability, order and value. Resistance is futile if you include a 2,4,6 or 8 (other numbers are available) in your title. And the world will be at your feet. Maybe.

Ok, being totally fair to all your list(less) number people out there, here are 5 things to think about next time you read a number post …

1) Is the number ridiculously big or small? This either means it will take ages to read or that it’s not really a list at all and the writer just heard numbers were good.

2) Is it real? Or is the “list” just random writings shoehorned uncomfortably together into a cobbled up, jumbled mess?This is annoying and confusing.

3) Is it original? Have you heard it before? 10 things to do before you die. (Breathe is one of mine).

4) Does it spark your curiosity? Read on dear reader.

5) Ok I’ve failed here … there isn’t a number 5 … please see points 1 and 2 and maybe 3 above.

Disclaimer: I have used numbers in my writing and will probably continue to do so. But I can’t help feeling us writers are overdoing it. Numb3r5 are getting a bit t1red and overdone. I wonder what we’ll come up with next. 🤔