It’s no secret that I love creating Twitter (X) threads. They are how I’ve built my following to 5,000 writers, marketers, and creators and also landed freelance work right in my inbox.
Twitter (X) has worked well for me in generating revenue because I’ve shared my everyday processes—from step-by-step research methodologies to the breakdown of my top expert interviews. By themselves, Tweets are a little constricting (280 characters just isn’t enough for a long-form writer.) But social media is no place for 1000-word blogs.
Threads are the sweet spot.
They help me share complex content in short snippets—and with visuals.
And if there’s one thing Twitter (X) users (even busy CEOs) love, it’s scannable, interactive, and actionable content (with a GIF or two).
Creating threads isn't easy, and coming up with new ideas is definitely where the task gets challenging. You’ll have to experiment with different styles, build an online persona, and come up with structural cohesiveness that makes Twitterers stop and stare.
Not to toot my own horn (I hear we’re calling it ‘social proof’ these days?), but I recently wrote a thread that got 10.5k views and won over the hearts of many seasoned writers.
Are you a Twitter thread enthusiast but can’t come to terms with the painstaking process of creating one?
Today, I break down some of my most viral threads and how you can also create unique ones that will deliver your message to the audience, but with pizzazz and practical information.
Let’s dig in!
How do you create a Twitter (X) thread?
As the name suggests, a Twitter thread is a series of Tweets sent out at the same time. You can use it to share additional notes, add CTAs, expand topics, give an update, or share step-by-step guides. Remember. Twitter only lets your post 20 tweets in a single thread.
You first need to create a Twitter account and optimize your profile, plan your threads, and then post them at a time when your audience is most active. To post a thread:
Step 1: Click the Tweet or “+” button to compose a new tweet
Step 2: Write your first tweet. In the bottom right corner, select "+" or "Add another tweet", and a new tweet window will pop up
Step 3: You can publish the entire thread at the same time with the "Tweet all" button. You can also add a thread to a previously published Tweet using the same "Add another Tweet" button.
You can hook your audience when you build a storyline by posting one tweet at a time. However, it can also be confusing, and your thread might get lost if other people’s tweets interrupt it. To avoid that, use the "Tweet All" option.
Tips to get more reach on your Twitter (X) threads
A Buffer study found that threads perform better and get more views, impressions, and engagement than singular tweets. To create a thread that is lauded by your target audience, you need the elements of storytelling, drama, and practical information in one.
Let's move on to some tips to make your threads great:
1. Direct hooks
People barely scan the first line of your tweet, so hooks are make or break.
Think of this just like a title or headline for a blog post. The more catchy it is, the more people read it.
Your hook can be of different types:
Here, I’ve used the art of storytelling by starting with an emoji that has a warm undertone and pops on the white background of Twitter. I start with a hook by talking about the one coveted thing every single B2B fintech prospect asks me.
Now, this title builds suspense by not revealing the subject instantly. Questions like “What is the one thing she always talks about?”, “Why does she always talk about it?” pop up in the reader’s head.
You can reveal the number of lessons or tips you’ll share but not the actually juicy bit. This will compel your reader to read each thread and drive more interest in your content. The key is to be concise, and hint at the value for your reader.
2. Add examples
When you tell a story, you cannot be vague and rob the audience of the intricate details. Threads are readable chunks of data, but they still need to show proof. These show up as images, examples, and links.
Insider tips and tricks help your audience understand a topic in detail and understand nuance and context. Plus, a tweet has a 280-character limit so if you need to add more data and develop a connection with your readers, images do the trick.
- To make threads more hilarious and winsome, you can add: GIFS
- To make threads more detailed and easy to understand, you can add: Screenshots, and links
- To make threads more interactive and grab a key readers’ attention, you can: Quote tweet another thread or tweet
- To make threads more dynamic and lively, you can add: Videos
Most of all, be a storyteller that takes the reader on a journey. They’ll resonate more with your content if you add real-life instances, and later down the road, you can connect with them to discuss similar topics if they engage with your thread.
3. Be unique
Before you post, pick a Twitter personality (resembling the one you use in offline conversations), follow it for your threads, and build a voice. Writing threads as everyone does is like riding in the same boat until it sinks under the pressure.
A unique voice will build a different fanbase for you and add a fresh take on a topic that people crave. You can also try different attachments with your threads, like referencing it to a conference, podcast episode, storytelling but with movie references, publishing notes from your diary, and more.
For example, I don’t shy away, even from adding notes from my diary on threads, as they add a personal touch to my content.
Some examples of unique threads I love:
- This explanation on writing sample mistakes by Tommy Walker
- This thread by Dominic Kent on achieving the right balance as a freelancer
- This thread on headline writing by AndrewWriteCopy
Twitter (X) thread examples
You’ve got your cavalry to create great threads. Now’s the time to practice it with this breakdown of my threads that will make your content shareable and your audience curious.
Before I draft my tweets, here are some rituals or thread shape-up exercises I like to practice:
- Decide my niche
- Create an inspiration list
- Outline the topics you’ll discuss
- Find the ideal time for posting (great ideas fizzle out in inactive hours)
- Cut the fluff. My delivery can be ironic or sarcastic, but no compromise on value
Interview thread examples
I do a lot of interviews and often break down the exact process on Twitter in the form of threads. From the questions I ask, and the answers I get, to the backend process, I’m very candid on these threads and ensure maximum value delivery for my readers.
Here’s the process behind this one:
I start this thread with a hook and a phrase that evokes fear (for people who are struggling or starting with an expert interview) and resonates with people who’ve already dealt with the situation. With this hook, I grab the attention of both experts and beginners.
I proceed with a statement about how what people know is just the tip of the iceberg, and there’s a lot to learn, even for people who’ve been doing this for quite some time.
Next step, explain your content. Notice how I sneak in the little 🧵 to indicate it’s a thread, followed by what the reader will find in the thread? This is called the perfect mix of mystery with no cliffhangers. If you use this method, the reader knows if they scroll down, they’ll find hidden gems of value.
Only text is boring and everyone does it. I like to step it up with emojis and numbered lists! If your content follows an organized structure, your readers won’t be doom scrolling but actually taking notes.
Hand emojis are great instructors. They tell your reader where to look and what is the next step. Followed with a number list, the reader becomes alert and ensures they miss no tweet.
To ensure my content isn’t too long and is crispy, I use Wordtune. It ensures the content isn’t too verbose and makes it more conversational too. In this example, I choose the first alternative because it uses active voice, and also shortens the content to make it more succinct.
When explaining contract elements in my threads, I use threads that are symbolic of the difference. If you create interview threads, make sure to add question references like this one with examples so your readers know what they’re doing wrong and how they can improve.
The correct way to add more lists in an already numbered list is to use sub-bullets like this example.
To make content more casual, I rely on Wordtune. It cuts unnecessary words, ensures my threads stay trendy, and gives them more rhythm.
Always put specific words and names within double quotes to emphasize their importance or highlight a topic nested in a thread. This reassures your audience we’re still discussing essential details, so they don’t abandon the thread mid-way.
Shift your focus to “You” rather than “I/Me”. You’re conversing with a specific reader. Ensure you do this with the help of active voice, discussing the impact your tips will create for the user and how it will reflect on the results.
The 3rd alternative by Wordtune for this part is more direct and takes the reader step by step to how to ask a question and how to extract a quote-worthy response.
The last thread is always a pivotal piece to retain your audience and tell them the next steps. It can be promotional, an announcement, information, a reveal, or the end result. The last tweet in a thread acts as the CTA (Call to action), and I keep it short and sweet and come right to the point.
In this one, I use a promotional CTA, which first asks the question and directs a response. I’m asking if the reader found this thread valuable. If they say “Yes”, they can retweet it. It’s a subtle promotion that ends with a please, so the readers know I want this to reach more people and create a greater impact.
Adding a question at the end also prompts comments from curious readers and helps me spark conversations with which I can transition to DMs and create relationships.
Twitter (X) thread writing process
My writing process is extensive, and when I explain it in the thread, I spare no detail and democratize all my resources and use Twitter’s attachment feature liberally.
Somethings to keep in mind before you write a thread with visual examples:
- The image is crystal clear but omits any personal detail of other people and even yours (Address, content number, and such).
- Don’t do it for the sake of adding visuals. Make sure the image empowers your text.
- The examples are current and have relevance in the thread.
A step-by-step guide is best served with images and allows the user to see the process in action.
If you’re adding online conversations, take the permission of the parties involved and make sure you explain the crux of the image along with it.
Add a hint of sarcasm/wit: People love tips and tricks with a little personality. If you add some behind-the-scenes or funny moments of the process, it will make your content more human and prove that not everyone is perfect.
Link to resources. If you say, “I used a great tool to find email examples” but don’t actually link to the tool, it erodes your reader’s trust. So, adding links or names of websites is proof this process took you time, and it’s not just another rephrased thread.
When your image is text intensive, balance the ratio of words by cutting your thread text to a minimalistic explanation.
For example: Here, I could’ve added a breakdown of each point in the image. But it’s not needed because the image itself completes the picture for my audience.
The next thing to pay attention to is the cohesion between the image text and the thread text. You cannot talk about ABC in the thread and add an image about XYZ in the same. It needs to be related and lead to the same result.
For instance, I started this thread by saying the tips are from my Klaviyo blog, and I’ve added the image of a brand guide for the same company.
Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable about the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. It builds trust and an authentic relationship with your readers.
Pro tip: If you add examples from your diary, notebooks, or such, re-draft it in clear handwriting to get some brownie points for being considerate of the readers’ time by embedding clarity in images.
5 Ways to get more views on your threads
You can create tempting threads using the breakdown, but what if it doesn’t reach the right audience?
Make sure this doesn’t happen, and your thread brings the much-deserved traction by following these tips:
1. Schedule your posts
Your audience can be restricted to geographical constraints and time zones. They’ll not be able to access your content if your post goes up at a time when they’re dozing off to sleep. The best way to avoid this situation and serve your content fresh off the plate to your audience is to schedule it beforehand.
If you post consistently, it’ll boost your engagement and drive attention from critical readers whenever you post the thread. Scheduling also takes off the stress of being free at the time of posting. If you’re stuck on some urgent matters, the scheduler will do the work for you.
Save more time to write the thread by using Wordtune!
It has features to make your content casual, professional, shorten or expand it.
2. Create evergreen content
Hop on trends but with content that is evergreen.
For example, if you create a thread on the 7 best writing tools and how to use them combined with examples from the dialogues of a viral series like “The Wednesday” or “Harry Potter”.
This will align your tweet tone with the current trend but also ensure it delivers value that doesn’t lose its impact when the trend goes out of the limelight. To practice this top combine—information+storytelling format.
3. Share, share, share
Social media is a powerful tool if leveraged the right way. You can boost your views on threads by sharing on different media platforms. The more you’re present, the more people see you.
To do this, you can add “Quote tweets” in PRs or blogs and embed them in videos. Add relevant hashtags or tag people to reach your target audience.
4. Post in communities
To further boost your thread, you can join communities on a different channel and share your content with people of the same likes and dislikes to get conversations going. This will fetch you a different perspective on your tweet and garner new ideas for your next batch of content.
5. Leverage hashtags
Hashtags help your thread be more searchable and help reach people out of your network who follow the same tags.
There are a few ways to use hashtags:
- Instead of saying freelance writing, use the industry hashtag #freelancewriting
- Supplement words for hashtags so they can reach people who follow the tag
- Piggyback on-trend tags, your content will have more chances of going viral if you add a unique take on a trend
Weave a thread that delivers top-notch value
Threads are your best friend if you love sharing long-form content, like I do.
I used to struggle with writing concisely for Twitter but Wordtune has saved me hours. I don’t have to painstakingly think up word combinations, I can just use Wordtune’s suggested alternatives for my ideas.
Give it a try!
%20(1).webp)
.webp)
