Every time I teach a Twitter class, I’m surprised at how many seasoned Twitter users DON’T use lists.
A Twitter list is a curated group of Twitter users. It is an incredibly useful feature that makes Twitter much more manageable.
You can create your own lists or subscribe to lists created by others. Here’s the help section on creating and using Twitter lists.
Lists are for reading, not sending. In other words, you can’t use a Twitter list to send tweets TO a specific group. You can use it to read tweets FROM a specific group.
A common misconception about lists is that they must be public. Not true! You can make private lists that no one but you sees.
Here are 8 Twitter list ideas for nonprofits to try:
1. Press
Twitter is a great way to engage with reporters.
> @Guardian‘s list: “nine top tweeters on business and child rights” includes @jobeckerhrw https://t.co/RZoafJvOnJ
— Human Rights Watch (@hrw) May 13, 2015
2. Geographic-based
Does location matter to you? Then keep tabs on people in particular regions with lists.
Need to geo-target influencers in your Twitter Lists? List Mapping now available via @tweepsmap pic.twitter.com/gwX21H7VVE — TweepsMap (@tweepsmap) July 21, 2015
3. Sponsors
Nurture those relationships by following and engaging with event and other sponsors via Twitter.
4. Partners
Strengthen relationships and share great content.
So many suffer avoidable pain. Subscribe 2 @diederik_lohman‘s new Twitter list “Global Palliative Care” 2 learn more https://t.co/lZQFuXLEIS — Human Rights Watch (@hrw) March 18, 2015
5. Peers
Follow your aspirational peers especially.
.@billmckibben and @GeorgeMonbiot top this list of the 100 biggest green influencers on Twitter https://t.co/sxnuu4vUfN — TckTckTck (@tcktcktck) April 23, 2015
6. Staff and board members
Show solidarity, amplify campaigns, and support your staff and board by keeping tabs on their tweets.
@MarioMurgueitio @Astro_Mike There’s lots of tweets from space. Here’s our Twitter list of Astronauts on #ISS now: https://t.co/KmQPG4bYuo
— NASA (@NASA) March 15, 2014
7. Donors
Remember, lists can be private, so you don’t have to reveal your donor relationships in public.
8. Events
Got an event? Keep track of people who tweet about it in a list. (TIP: Use an IFTT recipe to automatically add people to your list when they use a specified hashtag.)
TODAY: Subscribe to this Twitter list of Bay Area digital leaders to follow live coverage from the #UN70 events: https://t.co/wqW5zvaw4K — UN Foundation (@unfoundation) June 26, 2015
What’s on YOUR nonprofit list? Share your list URL in the comments section.
