1. Starting with #1 and working your way down to #10.
That’s it. That’s my rant for the day. Did Casey Kasem not teach you people anything? I keep going to these top ten lists expecting a fun read, but guess what, when you show me the best first, my interest in reading the others drops off so much that I just leave. You may as well have done what I did here and make a top 1 list. Count backwards and build the anticipation. It will work much, much better than the other way around.
Ling // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:55 am
LOL! never thought about it that way. But you’re right. If you list the best one first, not much point in reading the rest.
Photobuch // Jun 25, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Yeah I agree with Ling. One point is enough to break the habit.Anyways nice blog.Keep posting
SEO India // Jun 26, 2008 at 7:47 am
Sorry, but I do not agree with Ling. If write important things first you can atleast convey your message to your visitors. If you do not write important things first, you won’t be able to convey for what you are writing.
It’s absolutely my personal opinion.
Best power washers // Jun 26, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I agree, I find it quite boring and usually only read the first couple in the list. Top 10 lists usually do well in link baiting, but putting the best point first is a good way of losing the readers interest.
Oscar // Jun 26, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Interesting post! True, although I haven’t thought about top list in that way particularly! Interesting. Keep up the good work!
custom icons // Jun 27, 2008 at 5:08 am
Hi,
Very nice to see this post.
As Best Power says Top 10 will always do good and can see results.
Some short and interesting things will always attracts visitors….
Wiseowl // Jun 27, 2008 at 6:53 am
I did writing like this and used the list style a lot because it’s one of the easy-reading styles, plus it makes you write concisely.
Hm, I guess there’s always the idea that if you put #1 in front of smth, one expects it to actually mean THE No. 1, the best! So, better start with no. 10, as you say. But then again… I, who read the list, might imagine that if you’ve started with the end, you’ve pretty much ended it from the beginning! Here we go again… But yes, I might be more curious reading on from #10 to #1.
Yet, I think you’ll agree with me when I say that if you’re skilled enough and know how to build anticipation… you can start pretty much with whatever number you please…
TigerTom // Jun 28, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Amusing sir, I congratulate you, harrumph!
Though _sometimes_ you get a good tip in ‘em.
I’ve learned to quickly skim most Digg-style lists now. ‘Specially if it’s about cultural detritus.
Eric // Jun 28, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Hilarious! Excellent point, what do they teach these people in school today?
Not enough top 40 listeners out there. If only…
Ali // Jun 30, 2008 at 8:31 am
OMG that was hilarious!! Just subscribed
Andrew for Trademark Application // Jul 1, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I couldn’t agree with you more. Anticipation is the key to good writing. You have to keep the reader guessing and creeping closer to the edge of the seat. Nice job!
hyperhidrosis // Jul 2, 2008 at 10:38 pm
I agree…Casey was an early proponent and often used the phrase “countin’ em down to number 1…”.
And, of course, Dave Letterman is the current king of Top 10…and he does it that way.
As Andrew said, “Anticipation is the key…”
And, as TigerTom said…every once in awhile, I find some useful info. I don’t make a point of reading them, but I also don’t mind when I stumble across them.
Monavie // Jul 3, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Even worse is when they make a TV episode about it, that keeps eluding to things that are more lame than the first one! That is why they call it a “countdown”.
Enache // Jul 4, 2008 at 4:25 am
Another way to put the lists : split it in intervals, like top6-10 and link to top 1-5. I think it’s much funnier this way, if you see the big picture with all spots together you saw it all, mystery is gone …
Kathryn // Jul 6, 2008 at 12:25 am
So true. I never channel surf away from David Letterman’s top top ten list. The jokes get wackier on the way to number one.
Lawyer // Jul 7, 2008 at 11:45 am
LOL, They call it a “countdown”, but if they show you the number one first, it should be called a “countup”
Used ibanez guitars // Jul 7, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Haa!! Funny post! You’re right – gotta save the best for last….
Alex // Jul 8, 2008 at 10:58 am
Yeah I agree with Ling. One point is enough to break the habit.Anyways nice blog.Keep posting
how to earn online // Jul 11, 2008 at 8:18 am
Yeah, agreed. People need to look at their lists and keep the good stuff coming. Number 10 should be a teaser of what number 1 is..
Chan Sui // Jul 11, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Top Ten still have only One, the best.
Msn // Jul 11, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Very nice to see this post.
As Best Power says Top 10 will always do good and can see results.
Some short and interesting things will always attracts visitors….
Maya Tutorials // Jul 18, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Hilarious! Excellent point
Smoky Mountain Cabin Rentals // Jul 22, 2008 at 11:05 am
What is going on in peoples heads when they put number 1 first. You think that it would be known to everyone that top ten lists go backwards. Serious if I go into one and it starts with number one it frustrates me.
Kicks // Jul 24, 2008 at 3:00 am
I love reading top list.. because it is like a summary of the very long article.
Jesse @ Digital Converter Reviews // Jul 31, 2008 at 12:16 pm
You make a very good point with this short little post. I must say I have never seen someone start with #1 and go to #10 but if I ever did I probably wouldn’t watch/listen to that person every again.
If someone actually did that it would be incredibly stupid. Honestly, what is the point of not building up the excitement?
Darkone // Mar 16, 2009 at 2:22 am
The thing i hate about top ten lists is, they 9/10 suck!
smiles all the way.
unless the top ten has been written buy someone that counts and has put a lot of effort into it, it sucks and has nothing to do with what you like.
and really does anyone ever really care about what you like to the point of reading your top 10!
The fact of the matter, you have to be quite far up your own ass to think that your top ten is anything to wright about.
So now that i have had my blast for the day
Have a great one.