And the reason their profits increase rapidly is due to the leverage that listicles give them. Featuring on a list of the Top Ten Tech Entrepreneurs to Watch, for example, looks great and could lead to press offers and the opportunity to reach a much wider audience of consumers. Leverage has limitless benefits for those who can use it effectively. Here are the top five:

Trust is central to the appeal of appearing on a listicle. Let’s say you have a fully functioning business with an attractive proposition but don’t have any press behind you. Anybody who does their research will be less likely to invest in your company because all they have to trust is your word.

However, if you’ve placed as the third-ranked real estate agent in the world, you’re far more likely to secure that transaction. Listicles are unique among the press as they create a sense of decisiveness about your position in the industry, leading to maximum trust from your prospects and clients.

Every entrepreneur right now is thinking about their conversion rate. Whenever an opportunity arises, those in the right mind immediately ask how it will benefit their ability to convert a lead.

Trust isn’t just a meaningless metric. It directly impacts how many sales you make. You can build immediate trust by appearing on a listicle and then capitalize on it by securing a much higher proportion of deals than before.

Why employ somebody to create content for your social media profiles when the press can do it for you? Top Ten Lists present the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone by fleshing out your website and online presence so they look active and up-to-date while contributing to your marketing output at the same time.

When potential customers search for you, they may want to dodge hearing your life story. Finding out you’re the top wedding planner in the world speaks for itself.

The possibilities are endless, too. You can include your top ten status in anything from an SEO-optimized website tagline to your email signature.

Before you close this window upon first sight of a term thrown around far too loosely, listicles allow you to become a thought leader for real. Being presented as one of the best in the world at what you do makes you a leader in the public’s eyes. Then all you have to do is share your thoughts. Simple.

Business people don’t crave thought leader status for no reason. It enhances your personal brand, meaning all your ventures have value even if your current project doesn’t work out. It also enables you to separate yourself from the pack by sharing your opinions, advice, and achievements on social media.

I didn’t say limitless for no reason. Placement on a Top Ten List could literally lead to endless demand from the media for a minute of your time.

Press outlets will be more likely to approach you due to your prominent position in your sector. If you’re approaching them, you can instantly grab an editor's attention simply by mentioning your recent recognition by a popular publication, potentially resulting in a journalist writing a new in-depth article about you.

When it comes to listicles, the snowball effect is real. Featuring in a Top Ten List is a form of press coverage that leads to more press, increasing your profit. Alternatively, it creates trust in your existing leads, leading to higher conversion, which—you guessed it—increases your profit. Either way, your image, relationships, and bottom line will be healthier.