8 ways you're underutilizing Twitter lists


Lists are one of the many great features on Twitter, but so many people underutilize them. Others think of them in a much too narrow way. Here are eight easy ways you can improve your usage of Twitter lists:

Write clear and cogent names for your lists
Don't make people wonder. On more than one occasion that I've been listed, I had to ask a list maker what the list meant and if it was good or bad!

Include a description for each list
Be sure to fill in the description box for every list you create. This allows you to elaborate on what the list is, how you use it, or how it may benefit others.

Utilize "private" lists
Create private lists for information that is only of use to you. A stealth job search, for example.

Use lists to acknowledge people
Lists can be a great tool to make people feel special. Put someone on a cool list, chances are you'll win a new friend. 

Migrate your lists into your third-party Twitter client
If you use a program like Tweetdeck to view tweets, you can incorporate any of your Twitter lists into a column for easy viewing.

Refrain from casually unlisting people
With popular Twitter tools like Listwatcher readily available, there's a very good chance that someone will know when you take them off a list. Use great care and caution when you unlist someone. He or she might take great offense to it.

Follow other people's lists
Many people put hours and hours into creating valuable lists, so make use of their hard work! Look at the lists that others create and follow the ones you like. This is a wonderful way to meet new people and find information that's of interest to you.

Maintain your lists
Lots of folks are good at creating lists, but then leave them to languish. Update your lists as you go and add worthy people to them on a regular basis.
How do you use Twitter lists?  Put your Twitter handle in your comment below and I'll add you to my new "My Favorite Commenters" list!

46 comments:

  1. A- you went in depth enough on a list to ask what they had you on there for? Por Que?
    Hope all is well.
    @faybiz, but I'm thinking I need to change my Twithandle

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  2. I always look at the lists I'm put on. There was one with a bunch of nonsense words. I asked the person what it meant and they said it was the name of their favorite song and, thus, was their A-List/Rockstars list. I can't remember what it was called, but the title was complete gibberish.

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  3. I actually am one of your blog commenters albeit not sure if I earn the title Favorite or not. Miss Amber you definitely keep it real and are a lot of fun in the process!

    Cheri/@ArveyColumbus

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  4. Thank you for the very generous comment, Cheri! That's so kind of you. I truly appreciate it.

    ** Consider yourself added to the list, lovely lady! ;-)

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  5. Good post. I use lists extensively, and often split them or merge them to to keep content consistent and maintain a manageable size for each. They're also vital because some content is appropriate for me to view, explore and retweet from work and some is not, so I can focus my attention appropriately by only scanning certain lists at certain times. Since I change them frequently, I've kept them private but realize I might need to rethink sharing.

    Brent @barudolph

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  6. Brent, thanks for chiming in! Glad you're already making good use of lists; they can be so handy. I use a variety of lists each day, too!

    If you've put together some useful private lists, they may indeed be helpful to others. Perhaps you're hiding a gem that other people would find useful. Share them with the world, baby!

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  7. Thanks, Amber. I've never used lists much and don't really understand them or their importance, so am going to investigate further and, of course, heed your advice, as always!
    Jeanie
    @vacshackcom

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  8. Excellent reminder, Amber. I've got a number of lists that I use mainly to categorize people and make it easier to filter out the noise when I need to focus on a subject. But I really need to go back and do some pruning and maintenance.

    And I haven't followed many lists from other people. Definitely need to look into that a bit more.

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  9. Thank you for adding me to your "Favourite Commenters List" I can attest to the power of the Twitter list, as I frequently check to see what the people who listed me are writing.
    Some lists are very hard to understand, one list I'm on is called jeanjean1941-not sure what that one is about.
    I also use Twitter list to help keep track of geographic locations of people. I enjoy networking people, so when I see a request for a junk removal service in Ontario, I take a peek at my Twitter list, and pass the referral on.
    Off to make a list of "My favourite commenters" now! Great idea!

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  10. Jeanie, really the only thing to know about lists is that they can help you organize and acquire information more efficiently. For example, to get started, why not make a list of people who you tweet with on a regular basis. People who tweet things you enjoy or like to connect with. Call it something like "My Favorite Tweeters" (and be sure to add a description!).

    Then, you can check this list throughout the day to see what your favorite people are up to (instead of hoping to see them in your main stream). This allows you to see the information that's most important to you in a more concise manner.

    After you're comfortable with that, play around a bit more. Once you do your first list, it won't feel as ominous. :-)

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  11. Jeff, yeah, that's where lots of people are. They got started with lists, but then forgot them. I have some lists I've created just for me and others that I simply created as resources for others.

    If you look through the lists of the people you enjoy on Twitter, I'm almost sure you'll find some good information hidden in their lists. Good resources or new people to connect with.

    Thanks for stopping by, Jeff!

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  12. Suzanne, that is a perfect example of a poorly named list. Lists should provide value and a list like that is a wasted opportunity.

    Glad you like my commenters list idea! It's the least I can do for the fine folks who take the time chime in on these discussions. Thanks, Suzanne!

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  13. This was very helpful. I have yet to use lists, but you've broken it down so that it makes sense. I like the ability to filter out the noise, too. Thank you, Amber! Oh, yeah, I gave you an award on my blog today.

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  14. Thanks for the comment, Jean! Lists can, indeed, filter out some of the noise and help you put your finger on important information more quickly. I bet you'll find them useful once you get started.

    As for the award? YOWZA! I'm honored by your kind and generous words, Jean! Thank you so much for the recognition and support. I'm very glad Twitter brought us together!

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  15. Love, love, love my Twitter lists!! I have 'em for all sorts of things but my most important ones are my clients list and my inner circle (I got you in there, heh).

    But really, they make my scanning process much shorter and more efficient!

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  16. I'm with you. I love my lists, too (you're on my mastermind list, as well!). I think those of us who were already on Twitter when lists were launched are more into them because it was a big deal at the time. Those who signed up after the launch, I think, may not be as aware of them and their benefit. Sounds like lots of people are going to start exploring, though, so that's super!

    Thanks for chiming in, Ricardo! Always good to hear from you!

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  17. I have been putting people on my lists for a while. So, many of my lists reached the limit (of 500), like my Marketing People List. I was then not sure whether I should delete some people on it and replace them with marketers I actually know.
    Now, that I've read your piece here.I don't think that's a great idea. I'm sure that many people don't know when they've been deleted. I don't for sure. Thank you for this great blog post.

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  18. Hi Lois, thanks for adding to the dialogue. My two cents is that you can remedy that situation in two ways. Either make a second marketing list or create a private list that has the marketers you "really" care about.

    Good luck and thanks again for chiming in ;-)

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  19. Yeah, I think lots of people falter on #8. It's easy to do. Maintenance can be a killer sometimes, huh?

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  20. guilty of #8. Too many things to do to be "good" at social media

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  21. Happy to help. I hope you find a great way to use Twitter lists!

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  22. Wonderful! So happy you found it helpful.

    I appreciate your comment, Sandy!

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  23. Excellent! That's what I like to hear! Kudos to you for making it happen!

    Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment, Clay!

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  24. I needed to know about that list business.

    Greatfully yours-

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  25. Thank you for explaining more about this~I have been looking for information on this topic. Great info!. @ToxinFree

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  26. Great tips. I just spent 2 hours last night going through followers and updating all lists. I made some great connections with folks that were already following me! Today the conversations continue.

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  27. Thank YOU, Joan! I see we're not connected on Twitter yet, so I'll follow you ;-)

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  28. @JoanCRich - Great article, Amber! Thanks!

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  29. I have a plethora of private lists that I use to do stealth monitoring, research (and lurking LOL - oh I mean observing) of fields + competition for brands. You can also follow less as a bulk, but still pay attention in valuable niches that allow for excellent & up to the minute curation.

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  30. Great input, Zane! Sounds like you're maximizing all that lists have to offer. It's such a great Twitter tool, but for some reason, so many people don't tap into it.

    Thanks for stopping by, Zane!

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  31. Great points... and the maintenance is important. Bonk! I needed that reminder. ;-)
    @SusieBlackmon

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  32. I am a pedestrian by choice, It's THE sane option here in carazy Caracas. When I started using twitter, I followed a couple of traffic sources fed by users as well as a couple of user-fed metro report accounts, back then there were no lists and every rush hour my stream was taken. When lists were avilable I immediately unfollowed all but my one favorite for metro and for traffic and created 2 lists: caracas-a-pie y caracas-en-carro (Ccs-by-foot and Ccs-by-car), I added all the radio station traffic reports and user fed I could find for the "traffic" list, all the official and user-fed metro accounts for the "pedestrian" one and both share a couple of cultural event reminders in the city, mayor offices (for quick info about street fixings, or public events) the weather and the disaster public service and voilà: I have 2 very useful lists that are not only for me but for every caraqueño/a or Caracas visitor. I've created since a couple of lists like that about cities I often go.

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  33. I am guilty of not knowing about lists.I should start to work now. It shows 23 lists and I don.t know how they got there. Will learn today.

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  34. TY 4 the 411 primer on #lists, AV! Newz I can use, 4 sure; @BeerHere2010

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  35. I always have my 20 lists maxxed out - prefer to keep them myself than to see the wrong parameters set. But I do follow the lists of others to "exponentiate". : )

    To your point:
    When I think of a Better Name for a list and change it, I lose it, have to re-create. re-propogate, and lose those following the list. Aargh! I welcome thoughts. Am still a NOOB.

    Thanks to @arkarthick for pointing me to you:
    Quit under-utilizing your #Twitter lists!

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  36. Just like with weight loss, it's all about maintenance! ;-) Thanks for the comment, Susie!

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  37. Way to grab the bull by the horns, Gloria! Go, go, go!

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  38. Sounds like an excellent way to use lists, Leo! Clean up your stream and still have easy access to the information you need. Kudos to you!

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  39. Hey Susan. I just did a quick test to make sure nothing on lists had changed. I was able to set up a private list, change the name, and still have the people there. I didn't lose anything.

    Maybe when you tried there was a glitch or something. Just go to edit list and change the name. It took a minute for my name change to take, but it was intact afterward.

    Good luck! And thanks for visiting ;-) (and thanks to @arkarthick!)

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  40. Wow! Thanks - maybe they're just slow to update on my antiquated system. Now that I've discovered your great blog, I am happily reading through

    Susan
    @morphing

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  41. Thanks for this definitely informative for me. I'm interested in taking greater advantage of the lists I've collected. I've kept mine mostly private. One of my biggest challenges is having too many columns in my Hootsuite account to take advantage of some of the benefits.

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  42. I have several lists in my TweetDeck, but not all. I've become pretty quick with that scroll bar, though!

    Good luck reorganizing your lists, Patty!

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  43. I like what I see here and will use this as I grow. Thanks.

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