In a world of shrinking attention spans, listicles can cut through the noise in industrial B2B sectors. We explore how strategically crafted listicles can simplify complex information, boost engagement, and drive leads for construction, energy, and manufacturing companies.
In the world of industrial B2B marketing, where technical specifications and complex processes reign, listicles offer a powerful solution for capturing audience attention and conveying crucial information in a memorable format. In sectors such as construction, energy, and manufacturing, these articles can help streamline communication and drive measurable results.
But first of all…
What is a listicle?
It’s quite simple. A listicle is an article written in list format. For example, Five considerations when investing in an articulated hauler.
They’re visually structured, concise, and fun to consume, and employing them to punctuate your calendar when it comes to content creation is a good way to balance output. There isn’t a strict minimum number of points for a listicle; the ideal length depends on topic, tone and purpose, but generally, it should have enough points to cover the topic adequately and provide value to the reader.
So, with that in mind, here are six strong reasons why listicles should be a staple in your B2B content strategy.
What makes listicles capture the audience’s attention?
Boom! And just like that, you’re in. You’re at number one; the starting block and it’s freewheeling from here. Listicles are predominant in online content; they’re built to hook and hold attention. The numbered structure means that they’re more easily referenceable as well, to reflect on and even start debate.
How do listicles deliver information in digestible chunks?
The average attention span of a human is now only 8.25 seconds, which is less than the 9-second attention span of a goldfish. Psychologists believe that humans have such a limited focus when it comes to memory compared to hundreds of years ago simply because we don’t have to remember anything – Google does it for us. It is also thought that the short videos and memes spread out across social media has made us impatient readers, meaning listicles are an ideal way to convey a message with a more 21st-century-style approach. Unlike dense blocks of text that demand more energy and concentration, listicles offer a mental break by presenting content in a more digestible format. Listicles break information into bite-sized chunks, making them skimmable and engaging for readers, and simplifying complex information, making it easier for the brain to process.
How are listicles are designed for maximum shareability?
Listicles are short, snappy, and the headline should tell you exactly what you need to know. It has been shown that the most popular form of headline is ones with numbered lists, meaning they are going to get the most traction on social media platforms and therefore generate the highest number of clicks. The listicle is great for pitching too – journalists and bloggers also often prefer listicles because they’re easy to repurpose into news articles, interviews, and features.
What makes listicles most effective at delivering key messages?
Breaking an article into listed points should not be considered inferior or more easily produced due a simplified numerical structure than other written content. Listicles get straight to the point, delivering key insights without unnecessary fluff to quickly produce takeaway messages. But the organisation and presented must be nuanced. They can be versatile and in-depth, covering a topic from multiple angles, linking to further resources, and even incorporating specialist opinions. A good listicle provides substance while maintaining brevity. It’s not about cutting corners; it’s about delivering value efficiently. And combined with a good byline, a listicle can command the same authority as alternative content formats.
In an industrial context, listicles can be used to directly address the technical and safety-focused concerns of your audience, for example, breaking down intricate processes into manageable steps. They can also present specifications or features and benefits of products in a clear, concise format, facilitating informed decision making.
What makes listicles a highly visually appealing content?
Listicles can appeal to human’s desire for improvement and organisation. The form of the listicle – separate, numbered points spread out down the page – is ideal for the human brain. Specificity is something that our brains love – think of shopping lists, to-do lists, holiday packing lists to name a few – and so a listicle is something that we enjoy reading, as they give precise information. Where paragraphs can feel cluttered and overwhelming, listicles have their own whitespace, therefore looking cleaner.
How do listicles contribute to strong SEO?
Search engines favour listicles because they often answer user queries effectively, increasing click-through rates (CTR) and dwell time. Well-structured listicles tend to attract backlinks from other websites, improving domain authority and SEO rankings. Headlines like “Top 10…” or “7 reasons why…” are likely to create curiosity and encourage more clicks in search results and emails. They can also incorporate targeted CTAs that offer valuable resources tailored to the specific needs of industrial buyers.
Ready to leverage the power of listicles in your B2B marketing content strategy? Get in touch for a free consultation.
