Why Twitter lists are huge for your non-profit or small business [video tutorial]

Posted November 2, 2009
24 Comments

Twitter lists are guaranteed to be the next huge (and I mean HUGE!!!!)  game changer for Twitter. When Twitter lists first came out, I thought: “OK, so users can now make lists of other users based on any criteria.” For example a list of companies that are hiring, a list of Onion editorial staff or a list of food trucks in Los Angeles . Big deal, right?

Yes… a very big deal.

How lists will completely change how we use Twitter

  • Users can follow a list without having to follow all the users on that list.
  • Third party applications will use lists in fun and interesting ways.
  • Sites like Listorious will feature a variety of content based on lists.
  • Twitter lists will give users additional ways to create value for their followers.
  • Twitter lists will add an additional social proof element to all Twitter users.
  • Twitter lists will change how we follow streams.

This short video covers how to use lists and why

Also see:

Twitter Lists for Nonprofits

How non-profits can take advantage of Twitter Lists

Seesmic Desktop Adds Support for Twitter Lists

Video: How to use Twitter Lists in Seesmic

Top Twitter Lists

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  • technicavita
    Hey John - great post

    You might like my article about how to remove yourself from a Twitter List as well. Had an issue today http://www.technicavita.org/social-advice/twitt...
  • sharonmc
    Thank you John. You've saved me a lot of time. Instinctively I felt this was a good thing as I don't use seismic or tweetdeck much and really like lists. You've packaged everything nicely with the how-to video.
  • Sharon - Glad it helped. Yeah, I've noticed that I'm using Twitter.com more because of the lists.
  • sue_anne
    My main plan to use lists is via our non-profits account. I'm hoping that it helps create some synergy between other non-profits working in the same areas on Twitter.
  • You mean you'll create a list of NPOs working in the same area?
  • Thanks John - I keep hearing how important Lists will be. Now you've helped make it easy to understand why they're important and how to use them. Thanks again!
  • Peggy - you're welcome. Biggest impact (IMHO) will be on the social proof element. Follower numbers will not be as important as the number of lists you're on. Twitter culture will change as a result.
  • Great article/video John. Heard any whisperings on how/when the 3rd party apps like Tweetdeck and Hootsuite etc will incorporate them?
  • Brenna - Thanks! Tweetdeck will be very soon. Seesmic alreadt has lists. I'm sure everyone else will be soon as well.
  • I have neglected Twitter and concentrated on Facebook recently. I totally missed the importance of lists - as I had lists of tweeters already marked and different searches set on my on Tweetdeck and Seesmic. The lists were not Twitter lists as such but the function that came with those apps - pre Twitter lists. Now, just checked. I am on 94 lists! Wow! What an opportunity I have been missing. The video was awesome!
  • Thanks, Gunnar!
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