As a scientist on Twitter, you want to get your research known (right?).
The best way to do this is write cool threads about your papers/preprints!🧵
-- Here's some (personal) advice on how to make #SciTwitter threads --
Comments & further tips welcome! 🙏
1/
The best way to do this is write cool threads about your papers/preprints!🧵
-- Here's some (personal) advice on how to make #SciTwitter threads --
Comments & further tips welcome! 🙏
1/
Why do a thread on your paper/preprint (aka #Tweeprint)?
- Spread the knowledge
- Get feedback
- Something to pin to your profile
- Increase your chances of being cited, invited, known by your peers
- Add your personal twist & info that is not in the paper
2/
- Spread the knowledge
- Get feedback
- Something to pin to your profile
- Increase your chances of being cited, invited, known by your peers
- Add your personal twist & info that is not in the paper
2/
Preparation
- Use a text editor for drafting. Threads might not be saveable as drafts in twitter
- Choose ONE main message
- Draft 1 sub-message per slide, supported by up to 4 figures, or 1 gif or video.
- Use spaces to increase readability
- add
↙️a tweet counter
3/
- Use a text editor for drafting. Threads might not be saveable as drafts in twitter
- Choose ONE main message
- Draft 1 sub-message per slide, supported by up to 4 figures, or 1 gif or video.
- Use spaces to increase readability
- add
↙️a tweet counter
3/
Preparation - further tips
- Several main messages? They can fit in separate threads!
- Leave some time after writing the draft, come back to clean it up/ improve it later
- As for everything, don't try to make it perfect - what spontaneously comes out is probably best!
4/
- Several main messages? They can fit in separate threads!
- Leave some time after writing the draft, come back to clean it up/ improve it later
- As for everything, don't try to make it perfect - what spontaneously comes out is probably best!
4/
Keep it spicy
Unlike a presentation, the audience is free to leave whenever they want. Keep them interested by:
- Being SUPER clear
- Avoid complex language
- Use figures/schematics/gifs/videos...
- ... but only *relevant* ones
- Each tweet should stand on its own
5/
Unlike a presentation, the audience is free to leave whenever they want. Keep them interested by:
- Being SUPER clear
- Avoid complex language
- Use figures/schematics/gifs/videos...
- ... but only *relevant* ones
- Each tweet should stand on its own
5/
This is Twitter:
- Don’t say anything you wouldn’t say to a large public audience
- Mention the limitations of your thread
- Be open to fair criticism (this is a dialogue)...
- ...except for trolls/ offensive people: no need to answer, it will give them visibility
6/
- Don’t say anything you wouldn’t say to a large public audience
- Mention the limitations of your thread
- Be open to fair criticism (this is a dialogue)...
- ...except for trolls/ offensive people: no need to answer, it will give them visibility
6/
Contents - first tweet
The most important: 95% of viewers will just see it and move on!
Goal: give main message + convert viewers into readers
Needs:
- (1 question) + 1 answer sentence
- Article link
- Catchy image/gif
- Say that it’s a thread
ex:
7/
The most important: 95% of viewers will just see it and move on!
Goal: give main message + convert viewers into readers
Needs:
- (1 question) + 1 answer sentence
- Article link
- Catchy image/gif
- Say that it’s a thread
ex:
https://twitter.com/ElDuvelle/status/1318856844887154688?s=20
7/
I know - in the first tweet you'll want to tag the people/journal involved.
But (almost) nobody cares! Who knows these people? Probably those who already know you and would have clicked anyway.
Put them at the end instead (this will also protect them from notifications)
8/
But (almost) nobody cares! Who knows these people? Probably those who already know you and would have clicked anyway.
Put them at the end instead (this will also protect them from notifications)
8/
Contents - intro
As your goal is to spread knowledge, think about your audience! Start by explaining the most important concepts of your field so that, even if they don't understand your paper, they'll still have learned something.
ex:
9/
As your goal is to spread knowledge, think about your audience! Start by explaining the most important concepts of your field so that, even if they don't understand your paper, they'll still have learned something.
ex:
https://twitter.com/ElDuvelle/status/1319674640114089985?s=20
9/
Contents - results
Answer the question you raised in Tweet 1. Use screenshots of your figures, photos, schematics from presentations, etc.
Keep on message, but relax - those who are still reading now are likely interested enough to stay
10/
Answer the question you raised in Tweet 1. Use screenshots of your figures, photos, schematics from presentations, etc.
Keep on message, but relax - those who are still reading now are likely interested enough to stay
10/
Contents - easter eggs
Do add:
- an analysis you liked but isn't in the final version
- ideas that you don't have time to explore but would like to collaborate on
- feedback on the editing/publishing/reviewing process
- technical/personal challenges
11/
Do add:
- an analysis you liked but isn't in the final version
- ideas that you don't have time to explore but would like to collaborate on
- feedback on the editing/publishing/reviewing process
- technical/personal challenges
11/
Contents - reflection
Yes, you are here to show your paper under its best light. But you could also add some honest criticism of it, if you feel brave! People will really appreciate it.
12/
Yes, you are here to show your paper under its best light. But you could also add some honest criticism of it, if you feel brave! People will really appreciate it.
12/
Contents - conclusion & future perspective
Well you know what a conclusion is 😉 (give it its own tweet)
13/
Well you know what a conclusion is 😉 (give it its own tweet)
13/
Credits - others
Cite other researchers working on the topic and link to their relevant papers (science is a collaboration, not a competition)
Ask if you have forgotten to cite anyone, especially for preprints where it can easily be corrected!
13/
Cite other researchers working on the topic and link to their relevant papers (science is a collaboration, not a competition)
Ask if you have forgotten to cite anyone, especially for preprints where it can easily be corrected!
13/
Credits - team
Tag (if on twitter) or name your coauthors
Tag the journal, funders, university, etc.
Praise your PI, colleagues & students, highlight their skills, your thread can also help them!
This can take several tweets but it is very important!👍
14/
Tag (if on twitter) or name your coauthors
Tag the journal, funders, university, etc.
Praise your PI, colleagues & students, highlight their skills, your thread can also help them!
This can take several tweets but it is very important!👍
14/
Resources/ inspiration: add yours
example:
Convert videos to gifs online: onlineconverter.com/video-to-gif
Many thanks to @careerconversations’ Twitter strategy videos, especially:
Twitter for scientists tips:
t4scientists.com/advanced.html#… (and the other pages!)
15/
example:
Convert videos to gifs online: onlineconverter.com/video-to-gif
Many thanks to @careerconversations’ Twitter strategy videos, especially:
Twitter for scientists tips:
t4scientists.com/advanced.html#… (and the other pages!)
15/
Feedback:
A thread goes both ways - ask if readers have questions, feedback, opinions!
Bonus: add a poll to ask a specific question and see how many people are still engaged.
Example: did you learn anything from this thread?
16/
A thread goes both ways - ask if readers have questions, feedback, opinions!
Bonus: add a poll to ask a specific question and see how many people are still engaged.
Example: did you learn anything from this thread?
16/
Your turn!
- Click on "Tweet"
- Write some random text
- Click on the “+” next to tweet: congrats, you just started a thread!🥳
- Add more tweets with the + (can do even after posting the thread)
Good luck!
end/
- Click on "Tweet"
- Write some random text
- Click on the “+” next to tweet: congrats, you just started a thread!🥳
- Add more tweets with the + (can do even after posting the thread)
Good luck!
end/
Sorry, I meant @careerconversa1!! Thank you 🙏
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
