How to Create Twitter Threads That Get Engagement

TL;DR - Quick Answer
13 min readTips you can use today. What works and what doesn't.
Quick Answer: How to Create Twitter Threads
3 Ways to Create Twitter Threads:
- While Composing: Click compose → Write first tweet → Click "+" button → Add tweets → Post all
- Reply to Yourself: Post first tweet → Reply to it → Delete @handle → Continue replying
- Use SocialRails: Write entire thread → Auto-number → Schedule → Track performance
What Are Twitter Threads?
Twitter threads (also called tweetstorms) are a series of connected tweets from the same account, posted in sequence to share longer-form content that exceeds the 280-character limit.
Why Use Twitter Threads?
📈 Higher Engagement
Threads typically receive more impressions than single tweets
🎯 Better Storytelling
Share complete thoughts and detailed information
⏰ Extended Visibility
Each tweet in the thread can be found separately
🔄 More Retweets
Individual tweets can be shared while maintaining context
How to Create a Twitter Thread: Detailed Steps
Method 1: Creating Threads While Composing
-
Start Your First Tweet
- Click the compose button
- Write your opening tweet (hook)
- Keep it under 280 characters
-
Add Additional Tweets
- Click the "+" button at bottom-right
- Write your next tweet
- Continue adding tweets as needed
-
Review and Post
- Review all tweets in sequence
- Edit any tweets if needed
- Click "Post all" to publish
Method 2: Reply to Yourself
- Post your first tweet normally
- Click "Reply" on your own tweet
- Delete the "@yourhandle" mention
- Write and post your next tweet
- Repeat for additional tweets
Method 3: Using SocialRails (Easiest Method)
Method 3: Using SocialRails
- Write your entire thread in one text box
- Auto-number tweets with one click
- Preview the complete thread
- Schedule for peak engagement times
- Track performance metrics
5 Essential Thread Best Practices
1. Hook with First Tweet: Make it intriguing, clear value, under 200 characters
2. Number Your Tweets: Use "1/" or "1/10" format consistently
3. One Idea Per Tweet: Keep focused, use line breaks, complete thoughts
4. Add Visuals: Images, GIFs, screenshots, emojis for readability
5. Strong CTA: Ask for RTs, link to content, invite discussion
Copy-Paste Thread Templates
How-To Thread:
1/ How to [result] in [time]:
2/ Step 1: [action] • Detail A • Detail B
3/ Step 2: [action] [screenshot]
4/ Mistake to avoid: [pitfall]
5/ Results: [outcomes]
6/ Thread! RT if helpful 👆
Story Thread:
1/ [Hook]
2/ [Context]
3/ [Problem]
4/ [Solution]
5/ [Outcome]
6/ [Takeaway]
List Thread:
1/ [#] [topic] that [benefit]:
2/ Tip #1: [explanation]
3/ Tip #2: [explanation]
[Continue...]
10/ Which will you try? 👇
Common Twitter Thread Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Avoid These Thread Killers
- Too long: Keep threads under 20 tweets
- No hook: Boring first tweets get ignored
- Wall of text: Use line breaks and spacing
- Broken sequence: Tweets posted out of order
- No conclusion: Always wrap up your thoughts
- Forgetting to retweet: QT your thread later for more reach
How to Schedule Twitter Threads
Timing matters for thread engagement. Best times to post threads:
- Weekdays: 8 to 10 AM and 7 to 9 PM (your audience's timezone)
- Weekends: 9 to 11 AM
- Avoid: Late nights and very early mornings
With SocialRails, you can:
- Schedule threads weeks in advance
- Auto-post at peak times
- A/B test different posting times
- Track which times get best engagement
Measuring Thread Success
Key metrics to track:
- Impressions: Total views across all tweets
- Engagement rate: Likes + RTs + replies ÷ impressions
- Profile clicks: New followers from the thread
- Link clicks: If you included CTAs
- Quote tweets: Shows thread shareability
Twitter Thread Examples That Went Viral
Educational Thread Example
"How I grew from 0 to 10K followers in 3 months", Break down specific tactics, show screenshots, provide actionable steps.
Story Thread Example
"The time I almost gave up on my startup", Personal narrative with emotional hooks, lessons learned, inspiring conclusion.
Analysis Thread Example
"Why [Company] succeeded where others failed", Data-driven insights, unique perspective, clear takeaways.
Advanced Thread Strategies
Cross-Promote Your Threads
- Share thread link in bio
- Pin your best thread to profile
- Reference old threads in new content
- Create thread series on topics
Repurpose Thread Content
- Turn threads into blog posts
- Create carousel posts for Instagram
- Make video content from popular threads
- Compile threads into newsletters
Build Thread Templates
Create reusable formats for:
- Weekly tips
- Case studies
- Tool reviews
- Industry news breakdowns
Tools for Creating Twitter Threads
Native Twitter
Basic thread creation directly on X/Twitter
Typefully
Thread writing and scheduling tool
Thread Reader
Compile threads into readable articles
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create a Twitter thread?
Click the compose button, write your first tweet, then click the "+" button to add more tweets. You can add up to 25 tweets in a thread before posting them all at once.
How many tweets can be in a Twitter thread?
Twitter allows up to 25 tweets in a single thread when composing. You can extend threads by replying to the last tweet, essentially creating unlimited length threads.
Should I number my tweets in a thread?
Yes, numbering tweets (1/7, 2/7, etc.) helps readers follow along and understand the thread length. It also makes your content appear more organized and professional.
What's the best length for a Twitter thread?
Effective threads typically range from 3-10 tweets. Shorter threads (3-5 tweets) work well for quick tips, while longer threads (7-10 tweets) are better for detailed explanations or stories.
Can I schedule Twitter threads in advance?
No, Twitter doesn't natively support thread scheduling. You need third-party tools like SocialRails, Buffer, or Hootsuite to schedule threads in advance.
How do I make my Twitter threads more engaging?
Start with a compelling hook, use clear numbering, include relevant visuals, ask questions, provide actionable tips, and end with a call-to-action encouraging engagement.
Can I edit tweets after publishing a thread?
With Twitter Blue/X Premium, you can edit individual tweets within the editing window. Without premium, you'll need to delete and repost the entire thread to make changes.
What topics work best for Twitter threads?
Educational content, step-by-step tutorials, personal stories, industry insights, tips and tricks, behind-the-scenes content, and breaking down complex topics perform well as threads.
Start Creating Engaging Twitter Threads Today
Ready to master Twitter threads and grow your audience? SocialRails makes it simple to create, schedule, and track high-performing threads.
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