In the not-so-distant past, content creators realized that internet users love lists.
These days, it takes no effort at all to find websites that thrive on listicles. Netizens just can’t get enough of those Top 10s, Top 20s, and Top 100s—and who can blame them? Apparently, people respond better to information that is neatly arranged and numbered.
That is why Listverse is so damn popular.
We’re not exactly sure if this name is short for “list universe” or “list of things around the universe.” Either way, it works: Listverse is a fascinating treasure trove of trivia from a wide range of fields.
Whether you’re looking for historic nuggets (“10 Reasons Why Life on the American Frontier Actually Sucked”), pop culture tidbits (“10 Shows That Were Canceled After One Episode”), or even bizarre facts (“10 Amazingly Decorated Human Remains”), Listverse is your go-to place for irresistible, well-organized reads.
Do we need to come up with 10 reasons for you to check out this site? Here’s one to whet your appetite: Listverse will offer you $100 for an original list. We’re guessing there’s no need for nine more reasons, is there?
More on Listverse
Listverse is the brainchild of Jamie Frater, whose life experiences prior to launching the website deserve a list of their own.
After dabbling in software development and doing postgraduate studies in opera, Frater ultimately decided to pursue a different passion. In 2007, he launched Listverse, a site that reflects his “insatiable desire to share fascinating, obscure, and bizarre facts” (as his Goodreads profile puts it).
Frater wrote several of the site’s first posts, and they’re quite eye-catching. You have “Top 15 Shipwreck Survival Tips” and “Top 10 Most Haunted Places,” along with the more lighthearted “Top 10 Cool Dance Videos.” (Go ahead and try those moves.)
Over time, Listverse began to accommodate more and more categories. Eventually, a typical visit to the site would have you choosing among a science-oriented list (“Top 10 Strangest Animals”), a literature-oriented list (“Top 10 Most Influential Science Fiction Writers”), and a food-oriented list (“10 Recipes with 3 Ingredients or Less”).
Of course, we shouldn’t forget about the weird stuff. Your Listverse visit wouldn’t be complete without an entry like “10 Curious Cases of Naked Yoga Gone Wrong.” (Wait, what?)
Thanks to the soaring popularity of Listverse, top media outlets have taken to citing its entries. When you have CNN, Bloomberg, USA Today, and TIME quoting your content, you know you’ve made it big on the World Wide Web.
Speaking of making it big, Listverse is also proud of the fact that some of its writers have gone on to join The New York Times, Forbes, and other major publications. The next Listverse asset to go down that road might be you!
How can you earn money from Listverse?
First things first: Listverse only accepts submissions from writers based in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Listverse entries range from 1,500 to 2,500 words. (This word count includes an introduction that should hook the reader.) Each entry should consist of 10 items, with just one or two paragraphs per item. Heads-up: Make sure your submission is 100% original—no plagiarized content, please!
In its detailed Author’s Guide (which you should definitely check out), Listverse identifies five fields that are of particular interest to its audience:
- Mysteries
- Secrets
- Facts or misconceptions
- History
- Dark side of human nature
Want more ideas? You’ll notice that the Listverse header has six broad categories: Bizarre, Entertainment, General Knowledge, Lifestyle, Science, and Society. That’s plenty of ground to cover as you brainstorm ideas for your initial submission (which, ideally, tackles content that you’re an expert in).
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Be warned, though: Listverse doesn’t accept submissions that focus on sports, gaming, self-help, and the author’s personal stories.
In order to confirm that all your content is rooted in facts, Listverse will ask you to include all your references when submitting your work. It expects all your references to be “quality online sources,” meaning that information lifted from Wikipedia is not welcome at all.
After you submit your list, one of two things will happen. You will either be notified that Listverse has chosen not to publish your article, or you will get a stamp of approval. In the latter case, Listverse will send you $100 via PayPal. (That’s the only payment platform used by Listverse, so make sure you have a PayPal account that’s up and running.)
To find out more about submissions, read the Write & Get Paid section on the Listverse website. Once your sizzling list is ready, head over to Submit a List. Good luck!
