Can you still build a list using Twitter these days?

I'm doing it right now. So yes.

OK - my question is how? I have an account with over 6000 followers, one with over 3000, I would imagine the answer to lie somewhere in the area of relationship building?

PS Do people still use the thing? Every time I look at it, every tweet has a bit.ly link in it.

here what I learn from my mentor.

Facebook = people using it for social
Twitter = people using it to follow trends, topic and discussion.

My advice, just twitt like normal but make sure, you also share something valuable.
It just like blogging, people will follow you when you provide valuable stuff.

i dont think you could ever build a list with twitter, it's way too passive.

unlike with an opt in email list where people have ASKED for content from you, twitter is just "meh they followed me so i'll follow them". also how do you plan to promote to this twitter "list"? you can't target them efficiently and nobody likes a twitter account that blatently advertises.

so no, i dont think you can create a list with twitter. what you can do is deliver consistent value, build up trust over a period of 8-12 months and pepper your tweets with links to your sites. then you might get a couple of valuable visits.

I think it is possible to build a list with Twitter, providing, you tweet good content that links back to your opt in form.

I also automatically send a DM via Socialoomph, every time someone follows me on Twitter they automatically get a DM from me suggesting they join me as a friend on Facebook. I get between 2 & 15 people a day who become Facebook friends this way, I then direct them to my Facebook Fan Page which defaults to an opt in form on the Welcome tab..

some will opt in..

Keith

BarberShop it is very doable building a list using twitter. Using social networks to buils a list is a smart way to go.

There is even plug ins to help you do it on auto pilot

YES YES YES and you can surly leverage from it. Check my tweets.

I would never want to consider it a standalone method. When combined with articles, videos, Facebook pages, and other content it makes perfect sense.

Think of it this way.... If you are creating valuable content scattered around the internet, it makes sense to tweet about it and announce it to the world.

The only true problem I see with Twitter is getting the right kind of followers to start with. High quality Twitter lists usually start in reverse order. They start listening to you on Twitter because they like what you say somewhere else. Then as your following grows it gathers steam as people begin following you because their friends are.

If your method of building a list is to jump into Twitter and follow everyone you can, hoping they follow you back, you are likely going to have a following which ignores most of your Tweets and will never go to your opt-in page anyway.

Use quality content as your lead and Tweets as your auxiliary to open more communication channels to expand your list and reach.