Twitter is popular and gaining popularity every day. The number of users is in the millions. But, is it useful? That’s like asking if a knife is dangerous. The answer is, “Well, it can be.”

If you want huge numbers of followers, you’re on your own. That is not my goal. For me, Twitter is a great source for news and ideas. SEO gurus, marketing wizards and prostitutes just clog-up the stream and make it impossible for me to find the people who’s tweets I really want to read. Anyone who has 35,000 followers and follow them all isn’t seeing your tweets, anyway. You are as invisible to them as you were before you started following each other.

1. Use Lists. Create a list of twitter accounts you actually want to read. Keep it private. Private lists are great because nobody else knows the list exists or that they’re on it.

2. Create secondary lists of twitter accounts that interest you. Read them as often or infrequently as you like. This puts you in control. Clients, local businesses, professional colleagues, friends and relatives, etc. Create lists that help you.

3. Before you follow someone, look at their profile. Read their tweets. Look at their location and bio. Click on the link to their website. Know who it is you’re connecting with.

4. Use the search feature. Search for terms you are interested in. It’s a great way to find quality accounts to follow.

5. Use the #______ feature to be found in the same way.

6. Use features that incorporate Twitter into other social networks. I have friends who aren’t on twitter. They use the status update feature on Facebook or LinkedIn, instead. Don’t leave ‘em out. Get them involved, too.

7. Have fun with twitter and tweet a variety of things. Use it to show a bit about your personality.

Do YOU have any tips for me? I’d love to hear them and I’m sure other people would, too. Thanks.