Twitter lists are very simple to use on the surface, but understanding how to use Twitter lists most effectively is a question that many Twitter users cannot answer. Most users may define the word “effectively” differently as well.
Twitter allows users to list users on both public and private (non-seen) lists. It is important to be selective when listing other users on your public lists.
Just one misplaced Twitter user can ruin the quality of a list.
If you put together a list of 19 awesome, authoritative technology bloggers and list a noisy conversational tweeter as the 20th on the list, the list loses a significant amount of quality and people may not be inclined to follow it.
Obviously, this is an extreme example, but if your lists are formed around different topics or niches, make sure that every single user you list matches the kind of content tweeted by others.
Public lists aren’t just for you—make your lists “followable” by others.
What kind of value or need does your list fulfill for others? Lists that are tightly focused and have a specific theme or niche behind the Twitter users are followed by many and passed along to others.
If it is a list solely for your own use or of an extremely personal nature, a user is best off making the list private.
Lists weren’t meant to be created once and abandoned.
Twitter users should feel no hard feelings with listing and unlisting others. I frequently comb through the feeds of the lists I follow and re-categorize Twitter users under more suitable categories. There are also times when I take users off lists and re-list them at a later time.
Going off the last point—When you realize that your public Twitter lists aren’t just for you, you take a different approach toward keeping them updated and fresh. My Twitter “Elite” list is frequently updated with new users added and some removed.
A Twitter user should be vigilant with Twitter lists. If you aren’t using or keeping track of a specific list, delete or unfollow it.
How selective are you when it comes to public Twitter lists? Do you keep your lists up to date?
