Twitter Lists Made Beautifully Simple

Is it really THAT easy to create a Twitter list?

It sure is indeed!

In case you’ve never HEARD about Twitter lists, allow me to regale you with a quick video that I just created:

I just came across a fantastic description of Twitter lists over at

• HOW TO: Use Twitter Lists

and highly recommend it!  The tutorial explains in a beautifully simplied format just WHY you’d want to be part of or follow a Twitter list stream (think – a snapshot into what other folks think/write/tweet WITHOUT it clogging up your own personal Tweet stream among lots of other reasons too!).

They offered a fantastic example as well:

“Create a Group – Because Twitter Lists create grouped tweet streams of the people that are on them, you can use Lists to organize your tweeps into groups based on anything you want. For example, we’ve created a list of everyone at Mashable. By viewing or following this list, you easily see what all of Mashable’s employees are tweeting about. You could do the same thing with your co-workers, family, or friends, or just group Twitter users based on location, subject, or anything else you can think of.”

Think about how this can be used for your own personal business.

If you have a fan-base…

You can create a list for people who value what you teach to connect with others who have the same interests.

If you want to recommend folks who have inspired you…

You can create a list of “People who have changed my life….and can change yours as well!”

If you’re in a local business industry….

You can create a list of “What’s Happening In Our Town” for your customers and clients.

If you’re building buzz about a conference you’ll be running in the future…..

You can create a list of all the speakers/vendors/etc. so individuals can get a first-hand glance at the value your speakers offer.

See how it works?

Now, like everything else out there….Twitter lists are a TOOL.  A Tool, I say!  A tool that can either be a real-time benefit for you…or quite the time waster indeed.

Other great resources about Twitter lists include:

• 6 Ways To Look At Twitter Lists
• 10 Twitter List Widgets You Can Grab & Embed Right Now
• Techmeme vs. Twitter lists? (UPDATE: vs. TechCrunch list)
• Twitter Lists Widget: Embed Your Lists on Your Blog
• Twitter Lists in Action: NHL Builds a Social Network for Fans
• Twitter Lists 2 RSS
• Twitter Lists 101
• Twitter Lists for Impact Agents
• Twitter Lists: Frequently Asked Questions and Strategies
• Twitter Reveals More Lists Power With A Widget

But wait a second!  A new, ahem, opportunity comes into play!

Just because creating a Twitter list is simple and easy….does that mean YOU should do it?

What a great question!  Here’s my take on it.

Ask yourself first:

1.)  What is the problem your Twitter list will solve?

• Will it help you keep track of a group of people for your business?
• Will it give you an instant 3rd-party snapshot of what a sector of your industry thinks?
• Will it help build your community?

2.)  What is the benefit your Twitter list will give you?

• Will it get you on the radar of people whom you value?
• Will it make it easier to reach out and touch a bunch of colleagues/consumers/customers/etc. than it currently is?
• Will it help you help your customers by giving them the key thoughts of top industry players?

3.)  How will you promote your Twitter list?

• Will you add a link to it in your blog?
• Will you build a Facebook Fan Page about it?
• Will you make a video telling your community what’s waiting for them and encouraging them to join?

If you can honestly determine that YES, a Twitter List will benefit your customers and you in no uncertain terms, then by all means…why are you still reading this?  You should be creating your list RIGHT NOW!!! (after you refill your coffee cup, of course.  🙂  ).

But if not, I’d say…wait until you’ve formulated your thoughts and know how you will use this particular Twitter tool.

Want some great ideas?  Check out

Listorious- The Best Twitter Lists

and get some solid ideas from what other people are doing.  Your time management will thank you for it.

And that, of course, can only be described as a Very Good Thing Indeed.

Enjoy,

Barbara Ling

ps – and about the mooses you saw in the video – learn more about ’em here.  They’re quite the fixture in the Ling household.  🙂