It seems the buzz on Twitter's application of Twitter Lists is gaining momentum among the more prolific Tweeters. Just as the eager website owner checks his analytics several times daily to see how many people are visiting his site, so people are surely checking their Twitter dashboards to see how many other users have added them to a list.
If the lists are categorized as professionals in one realm or another, all the better for you. It means somebody has recognized you and your posts for what they are - informative and relevant to the topics and products you advertise. This begs the question, however, of how you can use Twitter lists to help optimize your business and main site through social media.
The Bare Bones of Twitter Lists
If you are new to Twitter and social media altogether, you may already know that this site allows users to "micro-blog" data and integrate information into widgets for weblogs, Facebook, MySpace, and other sites. If you are unable to constantly update a blog or website with new information on your business, you can log into Twitter via a dashboard widget or your cell phone and keep the people who follow your feed of posts appraised of sales, events, and last-minute news. The idea behind Twitter lists, for seasoned users trying to grasp this concept, is to allow people group other Tweeters into specific categories, thereby allowing the list owner (if the list is private) or anyone at all to follow a set group of people just by reading the list URL.
As a personal tool, Twitter Lists are handy in allowing power users to group accounts into specific categories. If you use the social network as a primary source of finding news, you may wish to create a list that captures the posts of various outlets like CNN, The New York Times, the Associated Press, and others. Whatever the subject, or if you want to keep all your tweeting friends and family in one place, the list function is quite handy.
Social Optimization with Twitter Lists
How can Twitter Lists benefit your business' social media optimization? Depending on the size of your company, if several employees use Twitter to promote goods and services, you can create a list of each user to provide as an overview of information for readers. While Twitter doesn't yet allow for RSS capability for their lists, a simple online search will direct you to tools and widgets that can create a syndicated feed of the accounts. A simple RSS widget module on your site or blog will display the posts.
Creating a Twitter list comprised of users relevant to your business or subject - other professionals in the field, reviewers - can also be helpful if you make the list public. Twitter users can see on their dashboard if they have been added to lists, and this may inspire them not only to follow your feed, but re-tweet your messages and expose you to a broader audience.
Take the time to explore the potential of Twitter lists as a promotion tool. The more you use them, the better it could be for your social profile.
Kathryn Lively is a social media specialist who assists clients with social media optimization services and Virginia Beach web design.
