If you’re using Twitter you need to be taking advantage of Twitter lists. Lists are a great way to organise who you are following (and even who you are not following) into groups defined by you. This useful feature allows you to group and track streams of tweets from others, even if you are not following them.
What’s so Good about Twitter Lists?
- Having a list can help keep you in touch in a more focused way, it allows you to avoid the busy clutter of your feeds. This can then help you save you time as you can then focus your attention to the important and relevant stuff.
- They are an easy way to discover new people.
- Twitter lists enable you to group other Twitter users together so you can get a quick summary of what they are doing. You can then view latest tweets from users specified in your list. If you want to find information on or join discussions on specific topics, you simply go to the list.
- You only have to follow the list. You don’t have to follow everyone on the list. So you can include people that you are not following, but are just interested in.
Why you need to get on as many (targeted) lists as possible
- Improve your visibility and credibility in your niche.
- Lists make it easier for you to get found.
- Increases your chances of being followed.
- Increases your social media influence, so you can increase your scores on places like Klout.
- Simple customisation – you can create lists grouping people for any reason. So you can use lists to organize your tweets into groups based on anything you want. You might consider creating a list of people that you regularly retweet. Or add value for your readers by providing them with a list of users that provide useful information.
How to create a Twitter list
- Login to your Twitter account
- Go to the list section, click ‘create new list’.
- You will be prompted to choose a name for your list. Carefully consider this as it can improve your SEO.
- Decide whether you want others to see it then select if you want a public list (open to anyone) or private list (available only to you).
- Click ‘create list’.
- Now you’ve got your list you can add users. You can search for people to add to your list. Alternatively you can simply add people from your profile page or from any following page. Check the user(s) has been added to the list – click the person icon and select “Add to list”. A checkmark will be added next to lists in which that user is included.
Twitter lists are a great social media marketing tool. So it’s worth taking the trouble to organise your Twitter community into lists. Remember don’t just take the time to create lists but find other lists in your niche, follow them and start conversations with them.
There are many people who seem to be obsessed with getting followers but actually you want to be on as many (targeted) lists as possible. Look at the lists that you’ve been added to. Are they relevant to what you do? Do people have a good understanding of what your services/product are? For example as you can see from this image, I’m being listed under social media.
Are you using Twitter Lists? How do you use them?
Lilach
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91 Responses to Twitter Lists and why you should be using them
I’m not that adept with twitter. With this article, I’ve just added another tool in my twitter toolbox. Thank you.
jim syyap recently posted..blogger vs wordpress
Thanks Jim my pleasure:) Twitter lists can be very useful if used correctly.
Twitter: lilachbullock
awesome share and twitter lists are so powerful, thanks for explaining it in more detail.
keep up the good work
lewys
Twitter: lewys_sfm
Thanks Lewys, I agree, Twitter lists are really powerful and I’m surprised more people aren’t leveraging them:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Lilach, this is great info on Twitter. I must admit that it’s totally new to me. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Joe, my pleasure:) I really recommend you use Twitter lists, particularly other people’s – they’ve often done the hard work for you:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
OK Lilach, looks like perils of wisdom have peeked my interest to twitter. I haven’t been active on twitter for a while but you make a good case to get active again. Thanks!
Terry
Twitter: terrypetrovick
My pleasure Terry:) Twitter actually generates me more traffic than anything else! I highly recommend you spend more time on there, happy to send some recommendations & retweets your way:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
To be totally honest, I have never seen this feature, but it sounds like a very powerful thing. I did not think of the importance of getting on relevant targeted lists before, this was such a great post!
Thanks Anna, my pleasure:) Yes everyone is obsessed with getting followers but the secret really is to get on as many lists (targeted) as possible. That’s how my following has grown so much organically:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Great advice here Lilach especially the bit about using other peoples lists, I never thought about that one.
David Sharp recently posted..Using Sound Bites To Increase Your Blog Traffic
Twitter: davidgsharp
Thanks David:) Yes I’ve found a lot of people aren’t leveraging Twitter lists which is why I decided to write about it, hopefully more people will now be able to see the power of using them:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Thank you for another VALUABLE LESSON on how to get additional mileage on the net. Did not
really pay attention to LISTS. Will give it a trial (or will it be trying me!)
Thank you
K Thiruselvam recently posted..BEDROOM ASTHMA
Thanks, my pleasure, appreciate your comment:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Hi Lilach,
I’ve been one of those who has not really explored the wonders to Twitter, but have been looking into more recently and know there is ‘Power in Reach’ and ‘Followers’! Twitter lists seem to be a good feature and perhaps under used by most.
Dereck
Dereck Celis recently posted..Are you building a list? This outline and VIDEO tip is where you start…
Thanks Dereck – I really do recommend you start using Twitter – it’s fantastic and I think you’re be pleasantly surprised of what you can achieve by it, not only driving traffic, selling but also the relationships you can build on there are fantastic. I have two lunch dates coming up with people I’ve met on Twitter next week so it really is a great way to network too.
And yes you’re quite right there isn’t much talk about Twitter lists and there really should be as they are so powerful – I’d be lost without them.
Twitter: lilachbullock
Great post Lilach, lists are an excellent organizational and research/resource tool that are too often overlooked. Having worked with several brands in the same industry over the years, lists also help me with reconnecting to those I have built relationships with and/or those that I value the content of easier to find when ending a contract with one client and starting a new one (with the exception of the ‘Private’ lists I have created, of course).
Thanks Donna:) Yes I agree lists are so often overlooked. People are obsessed with the number of followers they have and are missing a great trick here – you want to be on as many lists as possible. Not to mention as you’ve said how great they are for research/resource tools.
Twitter: lilachbullock
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nice article thanks for sharing. It definitely will help the new comers in the field of social media.
classifiedsinn recently posted..Animals -pets-dogs-Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
thanks, appreciate your comment:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
I’ve been using lists on Twitter for quite some time and think they are essential, if used in productive ways. I do wish I could have more than 15 of them and more than 500 people on each @RobynsWorld
Robyn Wright of RobynsOnlineWorld.com recently posted..Win a Samsung Galaxy Tab on Friday
Thanks Robyn, yes I agree. The power though really is in the lists that other people create rather than your own. The more lists you’re on the easier for people to find you and your following to grow in a nice organic and targeted way. The other great thing about people creating lists is that they create the hard work for you:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
There’s a trap for young players – tell us some great news, then we jump over to Twitter and start building lists, and almost forget to come back and thank you for your advice
But I remembered – just in time.
Thanks Lilach – top advice as ever.
Fiona Scott recently posted..What would having an Online Home Business mean to you?
Twitter: gandfscott
Thanks Fiona:) My pleasure, appreciate your comments – don’t forget to add me to your lists
Twitter: lilachbullock
Definitely something we will be concentrating on next year – really have to learn how Twitter works “the right way” with your help Lilach. Chris and Susan
Susan Beesley recently posted..What Do Successful Businesses Have in Common?
Twitter: chris_susan
Thanks Chris and Susan – look forward to seeing you on Twitter:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
I will definitely try to use twitter lists from now, it’s really something that I haven’t though before, thanks for sharing Lilach…
Kostas recently posted..Using Google Alerts to Enhance Your Business
My pleasure Kostas, I hope you find them useful
Twitter: lilachbullock
Another great post, Lilach. My first stab at twitter was pure chaos.
As you point out, I was focused on adding followers and neglected my twitter lists. I have now made amends. Managing my twitter lists is now an absolute priority. So your article is very timely. Cheers!
Srinivas Reddy recently posted..Child Or Baby Not Eating
Thanks Srinivas, my pleasure:) You may also find these this tool useful to help you: http://formulists.com/
Twitter: lilachbullock
If you have lot of followers then defiantly you will need lists, I do use private and public lists. Private is for me to follow the updates I like to want and public lists can really get you going in terms of followers.
Sanjeev recently posted..4 Tips for Building Traffic for Your Blog
Thanks Sanjeev, yes they’re great if you have a lot of followers as well. For me though I find them useful to find others and connect with them. They are more than an organisational feature of Twitter
Twitter: lilachbullock
Great post Lilach. It’s like facebook. I shall focus on this too. To identify whom I shall follow.
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Thanks Viviana my pleasure:) I guess the point I’m making that with social media its very easy to follow random people to get the “numbers up” but all this does achieve is a high following, it certainly doesn’t equate profit.
By having a targeted following, regardless of the numbers is so much better than having huge lists that are completely irrelevant to you.
Twitter: lilachbullock
Hi Lilach,
Twitter is one platform I have not been doing well in as far as online marketing is concerned, and I guess the reason is because I have been getting massive results with other strategies and I do my best to stay where my efforts are best rewarded.
But I have been coming across many twitter tips these days that I really want to give it a trial. Your tips too are awesome. They seem simple enough too.
Thanks for your commitment to value, Lilach.
Tosin
Twitter: thowsyne
Thanks Tosin:) It’s difficult with marketing, there is only so much time in the day and you need to focus on what’s currently getting you results. However that said social media is and can be a very powerful marketing tool – if used correctly
Twitter: lilachbullock
Thanks Lilach… let’s see, I think I need about 8 more hours added to the day… Thanks for the new and valuable information!
Val Heisey recently posted..3 Simple Steps to Re-Launch Your Business in 2012
Twitter: valheisey
Val, you and I will get those hours, when we’re able to quit our J.O.B.s! Isn’t it great that we have so many things to look forward to when that time comes? Your friend, Juli
Juli Becker recently posted..Are You An Authentic Leader?
Twitter: Juli_Becker_
I have no doubt that you both will:) You’re both so passionate and determined you will get there.
Exciting times ahead for you both methinks:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
lol Val:) Who ever said social media only takes 20 mins a day is telling porky pies!
It does take inially setting lists up but it is worth it in the long term:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Your last paragraph struck a chord with me because the people I work for seem to have that mind set of getting many followers not only with Twitter but other aspect of social media as well, to increase the chances of making a sale. There is no organization and no strategy everything is off the cuff..Its like lets try this now and see if we can sell our product. It’s very frustrating. Thanks for the tip.
Thanks Matthew:) Yes the sooner people stop emphasising on numbers and start realising it’s about targeted peopled the quicker people will get results and start to realise how powerful social media really is for your business.
Put it this way – you wouldn’t attend a networking event full of dog trainers (unless you were in that field obviously) so why would you change your approach on social media? Marketing needs to be consistent, you need to be networking with your niche on and offline
Twitter: lilachbullock
Thanks Lilach, I didn’t know that the name of the twitter list could affect your SEO! Great tip and thanks for the knowledge!
Twitter: dukeromkey
Thanks Duke, my pleasure:) Get creating lol
Twitter: lilachbullock
Thanks for sharing this tip. I need to start s=using list myself. I haven’t really gotten the hang if it. I heard it also helps you know what people are listing you as and what you are know for.
Do you know how many list we can have defined for our twitter account? One problem I’m having is how i can add myself to a list I’ve created. I can’t find the option to add myself to the list so i can communicate with people in this list. Please can you share your two cent on this question?
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Thanks Joyce:) There is a minimum amount of people that can be on each list – 500. You can follow lists but if you want to be part of the list then you need to connect with the person who created the list and ask them to add you to it.
Hope that helps:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Good idea Lilach. Had no idea that could be done. So now I guess I will have to create Twitter lists as well!:-)
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Thanks Catarina, my pleasure:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Lilach, No doubt, I need to start using Twitter more. Thanks for the tips on using lists. I’ve heard of others who use this social medium successfully, and it’s on my list of things to do. Such good advice you give. Thank you! Juli
Juli Becker recently posted..Are You An Authentic Leader?
Twitter: Juli_Becker_
Thanks Juli, my pleasure:) The big tip here though is getting on other people’s lists. It sounds cheeky but let them do the hard work for you – plus the more lists you’re on the easier it is for you to get found. It also helps you see where people put you, i.e. I’m in a lot of social media lists.
Twitter: lilachbullock
Thanks Lilach. I haven’t given much thought to Twitter’s lists. I know it existed but never thought about I could use it to my advantage.
I definitely need it to organize my Twitter account. I’m getting so many tweets now, it’s hard to stay on top on what’s happening.
Alan Cheng recently posted..Free Traffic Or Paid Traffic?
Twitter: alan_cheng
Thanks Alan:) Yes Twitter can get very busy. Have you tried using Hootsuite? I use that to manage my Twitter and couldn’t do without it! I wrote a blog on it here http://www.socialable.co.uk/why-should-you-be-using-hootsuite-to-manage-your-social-media/
Twitter: lilachbullock
Thank you that was very informative. i just started using twitter and didn’t realize the lists would be an important tool. So thank you.
Lilou recently posted..Voices of love vs. Voices of hate
Thanks Lilou, my pleasure:) I highly recommend you leverage Twitter lists, they really are a good way to connect with your audience better:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
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Pingback: Twitter Lists and why you should be using them
Pingback: Twitter Lists and why you should be using them
I agree that lists are really powerful. I’m surprised that Twitter doesn’t have better mechanisms in place for managing lists. One thing that is sorely missing is the ability to see which followers aren’t in a list.
If you ever need to do that, check out http://formulists.com/, they have a free and paid service that helps get your lists under control.
OT – you seem to have a problem with your CommentLuv plugin. When I select commentluv I get this error message:
Error. Parsing JSON Request failed. error! not authorized (try doing a hard refresh of the page ctrl + F5)
Cheers!
Thanks Joe, yes formulists is a great site – thanks for sharing that fab tip too:)
Not sure why Comment Luv wasn’t working for you it seems to be working fine now…
Twitter: lilachbullock
Note that Formulists.com has now gone out of business. Just letting you all know.
Thanks Jeremy, what a shame though.
Twitter: lilachbullock
Great article! This gives people a great understanding of how Twitter can work for them…Thanks!
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Power Person | Living Your Life In Power
Twitter: donnamerrilltribe
Thanks Donna, appreciate your comment:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Great article Lilach! I’m a big believer in Lists too, they help so much with organization, finding great content, and help you target your followers to increase engagement.
I would like to know your opinion on whether or not (or when) to have private lists vs. public lists.
Thanks!
Thanks Salina:)
I think it’s good to have more public lists than private but private lists are useful just for you particularly if you’re spying on your competitors and you don’t want them to know about it:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Great article! I just started building my lists when I do my Follow Friday shout outs. I only shout out people I really enjoy following, along with the reason (for example I always shout out people who’ve done the best food related tweets for the week). Next I add them to a twitter-related list, which I actually follow, making it easy for me follow the best tweets I know on a variety of subjects. It also let’s them know that I appreciate them!
Twitter: utrend
Thanks Yoli:) Great idea. Follow Friday is a great example of how to group people in lists. It’s a time when you focus on who you’ve been connecting with that week and a nice way to give back:)
Thanks for sharing how you use lists:))
Twitter: lilachbullock
Lists are The Secret Twitter Tool Non-Profits Can’t Afford to Ignore!
Twitter: BibbFC
Thanks Travis, appreciate your comment:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Definitely found this useful Lilach, I needed it.
Twitter: KevinOnuma
Thanks Kevin, pleased you found it useful and thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment:)
Lilach recently posted..Buy a book and change the world….
Twitter: lilachbullock
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Your article on Twitter is very interesting and appealing to readers. Thanks and wish to post you more article about it.
Twitter: shaileshtr
Thanks Shailesh, appreciate your comment and delighted you found it interesting.
Lilach recently posted..Buy a book and change the world….
Twitter: lilachbullock
Fantastic blog post Lilac!! Really interesting and informative stuff! Is there any must have lists you think a portrait photographer should create? Keep up the great blog posts!
Twitter: Peter_Alberti
Thanks Peter, really appreciate your comment and great feedback:)
I would recommend you look at other photographer’s and see what type of lists they’re using and also try and get yourself on as many photographers and portrait photographers lists. That will help you get found easier and in your niche too:)
Lilach recently posted..Buy a book and change the world….
Twitter: lilachbullock
Thank you for this. Very informative as usual.
Twitter: milleyglet1
My pleasure, appreciate your comment:)
Lilach recently posted..Buy a book and change the world….
Twitter: lilachbullock
Hi Lilach,
You are an absolute goldmine of useful information! I have a couple of questions:
- Can you follow other peoples lists and how would you do it?
- Can you have a list of hashtags that you follow (or is that too left field)?
I am sure other people would be interested in these questions.
Regards
John
John Cosstick recently posted..Elance Has Made My Graphic Design Biz Possible
Twitter: frelanceWkGuide
Thanks, John, really appreciate your great feedback:)
In answer to your questions:
- Follow other people’s lists
Click on the Lists tab when viewing someone’s profile.
Select which list you’d like to subscribe to.
From the list page, click Subscribe to follow the list.
- list of hashtags
You can create your own lists so you could manually add the people in to a list and name it related to a hashtag
Hope the above helps and thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment:)
Lilach recently posted..Buy a book and change the world….
Twitter: lilachbullock
I have learned so much Lilach – time to start putting some of your great ideas into action. Thank you.
Amanda Hamilton recently posted..Comment on 101 Things to Do … by Amanda
Twitter: dreamingspain
Thanks Amanda, appreciate your great comment and looking forward to seeing your ideas turned into action:)
Lilach recently posted..Buy a book and change the world….
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I Habe been using Twitter lists did a while now and I enjoy the customization and personal touch that I can add to the lists.
I also think that create a list is awesome yet the key revolves around promoting the list. I try to group everyone that I follow into a specific list.
Do you think that Twitter lists reduce search time for twitter users?
Praverb Dot Net recently posted..Various Online Radio Stations/Podcasts That Are Guaranteed to Play Your Music
Twitter: PtheWyse
Thanks for your comment and great to see you leveraging and making the most of lists.
I 100% think Twitter lists reduce search time for Twitter users. I rarely organically search for someone. If they’re in a list, not only is it easier to find them but also it adds to the credibility factor too.
Great to see you promoting your lists too:)
Lilach recently posted..Buy a book and change the world….
Twitter: lilachbullock
Hi Lilach,
This is a wonderful post for Twitter list beginners.
I’ve been searching for a week or so for a good post on list building on Twitter and this is the best one I’ve found so far.
Lists are often overlooked, I know they have been for me. I really value my Twitter stream and only follow people I feel add a tremendous amount of value (or close personal friends) and I was cautious and strategic about NOT increasing the number of people I follow at the costs of TMI (too much information).
By effectively using lists, I’m hoping to get more quality content and be able to segment the tweets into different topical silos.
Thanks for this post – overall very helpful!
Joe Sweeney recently posted..Do You Ever Think About What You’re Thinking about?
Twitter: thejoesweeney
I have tried using twitter lists a few times in the past couple years. I only use the mobile version and there are too many glitches to using mobile twitter lists. I will keep your article for the future when I quit being so mobile and settle down to desktop use!!
Twitter: ognicco
I found a great app, Twit List Manager that makes managing lists really easy. It’s free, and really simple to use. It totally changed the way I used lists.
It looks a bit like the form on an on-line survey. It lists all your followers and you click to select the groups you want them to belong to. It can sort and filter and will even show you which followers don’t belong to any lists. – (http://twitlistmanager.com/)
Twitter: kNOELedge
I could not agree more. I always recommend my clients use Twitter lists. It’s one of the first things I set up for them. Mining your own follows to set up lists does take time but it is definitely worth it because it increases engagement.
It’s also been invaluable from a personal perspective because I can keep my general timeline uncluttered while still staying in touch with the issues that are important to me.
Twitter: C_leveled
hey – i was expecting some more info on “how to get on lists” rather than just creating lists? or do you think that just comes as a natural byproduct of tweeting and engaging?
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