Read on Twitter
I expect this month to be our biggest traffic month ever @TheWriteLife.
In the thread below, I explain why and how you can replicate it
In the thread below, I explain why and how you can replicate it
2/ This week @TheWriteLife, we published our 2021 list of Best Websites for Writers.
Publishing this list every year is one of the best things we’ve done to grow the site.
Here’s what it looks like: https://thewritelife.com/best-websites-for-writers-2021/
Publishing this list every year is one of the best things we’ve done to grow the site.
Here’s what it looks like: https://thewritelife.com/best-websites-for-writers-2021/
3/ We tend to have our best traffic month of the year when we publish the post — last year 600K+ PV in Jan —plus residual effects throughout the year.
Publishing a “best of” list is one of the oldest tricks in the book for growing a website & I still recommend it. Here’s why
Publishing a “best of” list is one of the oldest tricks in the book for growing a website & I still recommend it. Here’s why
4/ 
Back-links
When you include lots of people & companies on a list that shows how great they are, they tell everyone. That leads to social shares across the web & more importantly, back-links. Those help the post & the site generally move up in Google search results.
Back-linksWhen you include lots of people & companies on a list that shows how great they are, they tell everyone. That leads to social shares across the web & more importantly, back-links. Those help the post & the site generally move up in Google search results.
5/ Authority
Curating a “best of” list positions you as an authority, for it requires knowledge of your industry to create well. If another company in your space is already doing this, either find a new angle, or do it better.
AuthorityCurating a “best of” list positions you as an authority, for it requires knowledge of your industry to create well. If another company in your space is already doing this, either find a new angle, or do it better.
6/ Social Shares
While I value short-term traction on social media < long-term SEO success, the social-sharing blitz these posts generate puts the piece in front of more people, who might also share or add their own back-link. Also adds to the brand credibility & reputation.
Social SharesWhile I value short-term traction on social media < long-term SEO success, the social-sharing blitz these posts generate puts the piece in front of more people, who might also share or add their own back-link. Also adds to the brand credibility & reputation.
7/ Tips & insights for doing a "best of" list well
It takes a lot of effort to create a high-quality list post, but the ROI makes it worth it. Kudos to @fdomiwrites and @jesslaw for knocking this year’s post out of the park. Farrah added 37 new sites to the list this year!
It takes a lot of effort to create a high-quality list post, but the ROI makes it worth it. Kudos to @fdomiwrites and @jesslaw for knocking this year’s post out of the park. Farrah added 37 new sites to the list this year!
8/ Be clear on your methodology
Figure out how you’ll judge who makes the list & explain that clearly in your post. While some of decision-making process will be your judgement, identifying “must-haves” will help you make decisions & help the reader trust those decisions.
Be clear on your methodologyFigure out how you’ll judge who makes the list & explain that clearly in your post. While some of decision-making process will be your judgement, identifying “must-haves” will help you make decisions & help the reader trust those decisions.
9/ Email everyone on the list to let them know it’s live
This takes effort, mostly in finding all of dozens of email addresses, but it drastically increases the number of shares and back-links to the post.
Email everyone on the list to let them know it’s liveThis takes effort, mostly in finding all of dozens of email addresses, but it drastically increases the number of shares and back-links to the post.
10/ Ask your audience for recommendations
You'll get ideas & marketing. Some people will ask their audience to nominate them, which fosters reach.
To show you just how popular this can be, our nominations request post this year = 545 comments. https://thewritelife.com/writing-websites-nominations-2021/
Ask your audience for recommendationsYou'll get ideas & marketing. Some people will ask their audience to nominate them, which fosters reach.
To show you just how popular this can be, our nominations request post this year = 545 comments. https://thewritelife.com/writing-websites-nominations-2021/
11/ For more details and tips, see my full post on this topic: https://alexisgrant.com/2021/01/19/grow-traffic-best-list-strategy/
