If you are new to Twitter or have just started using the tool, finding 'friends' or people to follow that have similar interests as you (and give interesting tweets) can be quite overwhelming.

You may have to revert to finding a friend or two and stalking their 'followers' list.  I've done it and I have had it done to me.  But this is not a good way to make friends.  Afterall, the person you 'follow' may wonder how you know them, how you found them and why you are following them.  Also, if you decide that you don't like their content and you 'unfollow' them, you can be accused of building your followers list (as many will follow you if you follow them).

So now what?

Still in BETA, Twitter has started a great funtion called lists.  It allows you to create or put people into a list which may help group conversations in topical areas. 

How does this help the budding twitterer?  Instead of stalking 'followers,' take a look at a friend's list.  Hopefully they have categorized them by topic or interest.  Follow the topic that looks interesting and then 'follow' and DON'T FORGET to join the conversation.

Check out my lists:
@mtampoya/shopping
@mtampoya/friends
@mtampoya/hollywood
@mtampoya/nonprofit
@mtampoya/green
@mtampoya/news
@mtampoya/digerati
@mtampoya/mommies
@mtampoya/foodies