- New to town? If you're relocating, you won't have to look very far to find great lists of city-based Twitter users. Local lists created by other Twitter users will give you a good snapshot of activity and the people to follow in your new hometown. For example: Rex and 125 other folks are followed on a Nashville list curated by Jenni Leeds. That's 126 opportunities to make new local connections.
- Web content. At Hammock, we're already showing how Twitter lists can become great content on a website by creating an entire new section on SmallBusiness.com. Each day we're featuring a list of a different city's Twitter list using local merchants, shops, cafes and entertainment venues. It's a great way to get a feel of small business in that town without going to the trouble of even setting up a Twitter account. (Also, you get to see Twitter-only special bargains.)
- Local news. If you want a one-stop source for getting news from multiple sources, a simple list is all you need to create. Regina Davis keeps such a news list and with one click can be updated on the news around her.
- Industry peers. Twitter has always been a valuable tool for staying connected to professional peers all around the country (and the globe). Linda Owens recently created a list of her counterparts from the association industry.
- Coworkers. Rex keeps a "Hammock Inc." list where the tweets of employees show up in one spot. It's easy for him and others to keep up with us with just one click.
- Experts. Over at SmallBusiness.com, we also keep a list of "influencers" in the small business world. These folks are at the top of their game when it comes to small business marketing, startup and news.
- Humor. I've been included on a list of people with "cool hair" that was created by Wesley Faulkner. Now that's just fun!
"I've always viewed Internet list-building a great service one person can do for someone else -- and some very entertaining content," Rex says. "For example, I have some people I turn to for curating new music I might like -- who make it easy for me because they create their lists on the iTunes Store."
Having an understanding of "list curation" as a service or personal expression can make it very easy to see how powerful Twitter Lists can be. It's especially great for a person who doesn't want to "tweet" but who will now be able to have a better understanding of the power of Twitter.
