Thread by @waronweakness

1) According to the Twitter algorithm, threads are the fastest way to grow your following in minimum time.

But they're hard to write. And it's either hit or miss.

Here's how you write one that *actually* does what you want it to do.

A breakdown:

2) A viral thread:

> Hits a big pain point
> Written in plain English (no fancy words or slang)
> Extremely shareable (makes you hit RT without thinking)
> Has a KILLER hook

Let me show you how to do this step by step 👇

3) Step # 1 pick a core emotion

There's 8 core emotions that maximize shareability

1) NSFW that's crazy!
2) LOL that's so funny
3) OHHH *now* I get it!
4) WOW that's amazing!
5) AWW that's sooo cute
6) YAY that's great news!
7) WTF that pisses me off
8) FINALLY someone said it!

3) Twitter's algorithm decides to promote or kill your thread based on the strength of the first tweet.

This is where you trigger the core emotion.

Eg: In this thread, I wanted to WOW people and WTF (aka piss off) nonfiction readers at the same time:

https://twitter.com/waronweakness/status/1430548556746797066

4) Knowing which emotion to trigger will improve your chances of going viral.

Step # 2 Write an outline

The longer the thread, the less likely people will read ‘til the end.

Data shows most of this drop off happens in the first 5 tweets.

Solution? 👇

5) Write an outline before you publish.

This will help organise your thread in a way that’s easily readable and shareable (hint: the more readable, the more shareable)

I use a blend of Typefully and Google Docs but you can use whatever.

6) Step # 3 Pick a story format

@ShaanVP likes the “Mythbuster” format:

[Everyone always tells you X but here’s my unpopular opinion on why it’s actually Y]

Another popular format is the underdog story: Eg. 👇👇

@ShaanVP 7) [In 2016, Kanye begged Zuckerberg for $1billion on Twitter. 4 years he became a billionaire. How did he do it?]

Pro tip: study popular mythical stories like David vs Goliath and "map them" onto your thread topic.

@ShaanVP 8) Step # 4 Write a KILLER hook

Story formats help you form THE HOOK.

This is what pulls people INTO the thread and is the second most important component to the thread after the first tweet.

NEVER FORGET:

The secret to virality is to elicit an emotional reaction.

@ShaanVP 9) A good hook digs into the reader’s emotions like a liver punch and forces them to read your thread.

The hook is so important that I will often write up to 10 variations *before* I decide to write the rest of the thread...

@ShaanVP 10) Step # 5 Deliver on your promise

You’ve picked one of the eight core emotions.

You’ve written an emotionally-charged hook that triggers the target emotion.

Now what?

Actually deliver on what you promised to share in the first tweet.

@ShaanVP 11) Shocker I know but the reason why people hate clickbait isn’t because they clicked.

It’s because you promised Michelin star but gave them McDonalds.

People are paying you with their attention by reading your thread.

So make sure you give them a good experience.

@ShaanVP 12) Step # 6 Collect Data

@Nicolascole77 is a big believer in data driven writing as is @ShaanVP .

Shaan looks at 2 key metrics:

> Likes vs Impressions (2-3% likes to impressions is good)
> RTs vs Likes (20-25% RT to Like ratio is good)

As you publish more content...👇

@ShaanVP @Nicolascole77 13) pay close attention to tweets and threads which hit these metrics.

Why?

Because the next step is going to save you a sh!tload of time and effort in trying to come up with new content ideas.

Speaking of Step 7....

@ShaanVP @Nicolascole77 14) Step # 7 Recycle old content

Purpose of data is to get intel about your audience wants from you.

As a content creator you should always ask:

“What is it about your content that hooks people?”

Double down on this.

15) If you liked this, quote tweet the 1st tweet & tell your friends why:

https://twitter.com/waronweakness/status/1471866294244884481

16) Find more threads on writing, Twitter, Wi-fi money and more at @waronweakness

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