I spend a good deal of my week writing posts for various websites that start with things like ’21 ideas for’ and ’20 ways to’ and ’10 things’ and ’11 surprising’… we sure like our bite-sized content, don’t we? Sometimes I worry about where the internet is taking us all. I mean, at the end of the day with all the stats and clicks we’re chasing, we are basically writing for the average Joe. When I write for others, I want as many people as possible to click on the things I’m writing about so I’m asked to keep on writing. So I think “what would Mrs Average want to read”.
Turns out Mrs Average really, really loves lists and she either wants me to solve her problems (“we’ve got your pots and pans sorted at last”), is looking for shock value (“you won’t believe where this woman puts her bleach!” – ha!) or wants to feel less loney (“if you’ve got problems storing your jewellery, you are not alone!”).
Which is why this pin from J@Monkey caught my eye.
It’s a list.
It’s solving a problem.
It’s got the ‘bigness’ to it – fifty ways? FIFTY? Gotta click on that! Why offer 10 ways when 50 are available? 50 makes me think that this writer has absolutely got organising down pat!
It’s got the word ‘every’ in the headline – making me believe that if I just clicked on this image it would solve all my problems.
This image made me feel like this informed, organised blogger could solve the whole darn world.
Turns out the post is actually really nifty too. In a way that Pinterest is always nifty – so pinteresting, but would I actually do any of these things? I’ll leave that answer up to you…
Visit J@Monkey or click on the image above to repin the pin!
What makes you click on an image?
Helen K says
I love the statement that ‘Here is a great list of easy ways to organize in ALL the chaotic spaces in your house’ (very ambitious!) . Great to see that some of these ideas we do have in place (and they work) but I love the electronic items (phones, ipads, etc) charging station (such a good way to address the clutter), and I will keep looking to persuade my husband on the need for a spice rack too!
Maxabella says
I’ve never quite understood the spice rack… I just have them on a shelf and it goes okay. I’m pretty organised, but we are not so great at organising the organisation if you know what I mean!? x
Helen K says
We have them in a cupboard which is too high for me to see – I think that’s the problem (I can’t remember what’s there!)
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad says
You know I had never given too much thought about how writers load up a title to get you to more likely click on something. Everything is so calculated isn’t it?
I do like a list myself and a strong image is what usually gets me clicking.
Maxabella says
It’s all VERY calculated, Vicki. Lots of little tricks that make us click, click, click. Very sad really. I think we lost something when the world became so measurable!! x
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen says
There’s some great ideas here, but I’m a bit concerned that someone has devoted so much space to bobby pins!
Maxabella says
How many bobby pins does one family need, right?! To be honest, I’m always a bit concerned that anyone devotes this much time to organising ANYTHING. Once organised, you’ve just gotta keep organising… it’s a vicious circle!! x
Penny says
I have to clean my nature craft area. It’s currently in my Husbands bar area and he is no happy! Love organised inspiration!
Maxabella says
Only you would have a ‘nature craft’ area, Penny. I’m sure the bar is all the better for it too. x