Social Media

How to Create Twitter Threads That Get Engagement

Social Media Team
Social Media Team
8 min read

TL;DR - Quick Answer

13 min read

Tips you can use today. What works and what doesn't.

Quick Answer: How to Create Twitter Threads

3 Ways to Create Twitter Threads:

  1. While Composing: Click compose → Write first tweet → Click "+" button → Add tweets → Post all
  2. Reply to Yourself: Post first tweet → Reply to it → Delete @handle → Continue replying
  3. 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

  1. Start Your First Tweet

    • Click the compose button
    • Write your opening tweet (hook)
    • Keep it under 280 characters
  2. Add Additional Tweets

    • Click the "+" button at bottom-right
    • Write your next tweet
    • Continue adding tweets as needed
  3. Review and Post

    • Review all tweets in sequence
    • Edit any tweets if needed
    • Click "Post all" to publish

Method 2: Reply to Yourself

  1. Post your first tweet normally
  2. Click "Reply" on your own tweet
  3. Delete the "@yourhandle" mention
  4. Write and post your next tweet
  5. Repeat for additional tweets

Method 3: Using SocialRails (Easiest Method)

Method 3: Using SocialRails

  1. Write your entire thread in one text box
  2. Auto-number tweets with one click
  3. Preview the complete thread
  4. Schedule for peak engagement times
  5. 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

  1. Share thread link in bio
  2. Pin your best thread to profile
  3. Reference old threads in new content
  4. 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

SocialRails

Complete thread creation, scheduling, and analytics platform

Try Free →

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.

Create Your First Thread in Minutes

Join thousands using SocialRails to create viral Twitter threads

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