A Twitter list is, simply put, a list of Twitter users grouped by a common thread. Any Twitter user can create a list and any Twitter account holder can be added to a list. Twitter lists are built and serve as assets to a Twitter account.
Twitter lists can help show credibility and subject knowledge in an area of expertise. For example, for the owner of a knitting shop, a Twitter account might have one Twitter list of staff members' accounts, as well as a list of knitting resources, one of knitting clubs and one of local knitters.
These lists serve as resources for the knitting shop's customers so they can connect with these accounts as well. Creating the lists helps the shop owner facilitate digital community-building.
HOW TO CREATE A TWITTER LIST
-- Login to your account at Twitter.com. While viewing your profile, click on the "lists" option.
-- In the list section, click "create new list."
-- You will be prompted to type a name and description for your list. (Pro tip: With public lists, be sure to use plain, literal language and important keywords as the name and description fields will be visible to search engines.)
-- Decide if you want a public list (visible to anyone, and perfect for sharing as a resource with others) or a private list (only visible to you, and ideal for compiling a list of your work group, family members or arch rivals).
-- Select "create list."
-- Once your lists are created, you can add users. When viewing another user's profile, click the person icon next to the follow/unfollow button and select "add to list." A dropdown of your lists will appear, where you can select the lists to which you want to add this user.
Note: You are limited to 500 users per list.
WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH OTHER USERS' LISTS
Someone, somewhere has already gone to the trouble of creating a list about a topic that pertains to you, I can almost guarantee.
Try this: perform a Google search using the words "twitter," "list" and a topic. For example, "Twitter list gardening" yields search results including a Twitter list of gardening "gurus," top-rated gardeners on Twitter and other related lists. For someone interested in gardening, this could be an efficient way to find people talking about gardening.
Users can follow the list itself, choose individual users from the list to follow or both. To follow the list itself, users can look in on the group from time to time without searching (or remembering) each member and catching up with tweets individually.
From your profile page, check to see the Twitter lists on which you are listed. If you find yourself included on a list of other professionals in your industry or people who share your hobbies and interests, chances are you'll want to connect with others on the list.
