How to Create a Thread on X (Formerly Twitter)

Thinking you need a full blog to share a big idea is a thing of the past. X threads let you break down complex topics, tell compelling stories, and deliver massive value, all without ever leaving the platform. This guide will give you the step-by-step process for creating a thread and then dive into the strategies that separate viral threads from those that fall flat.

What is an X (Formerly Twitter) Thread?

An X thread, sometimes called a "tweetstorm," is a series of connected posts published by a single account. Instead of being limited to 280 characters, threads allow you to string multiple posts together to form a longer, cohesive narrative or argument. When someone views any post within the thread, they’ll see an option to "Show this thread," allowing them to read the entire sequence from beginning to end.

Why are they so effective? Because they turn X from a simple micro-blogging site into a powerful storytelling platform. You can use threads to:

• Give a detailed breakdown of a news story or event as it unfolds.
• Share a personal story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• Repurpose blog content into a bite-sized format for a social audience.
• Teach a complex skill or concept step-by-step.
• Go viral by packaging super-valuable information into an easily shareable format.

Threads respect the fast-paced nature of the feed while giving you the space you need to make a real impact on your audience.

How to Create a Thread on X (Step-by-Step)

Creating a thread is a straightforward process, whether you're on a phone or your desktop computer. Here’s a simple walkthrough for both.

On the X Mobile App (iOS &, Android)

Most people use X on their phones, so starting here makes the most sense. The user interface is clean and makes building threads intuitive.

1. Start Your Post: Open the X app and tap the blue "+" compose button in the bottom-right corner.
2. Write Your First Post: Type the content for the first part of your thread. This is your hook, so make it good! You can add images, a GIF, a video, or a poll just like you would with a regular post.
3. Add the Next Post: Once your first post is ready, look for the small grey “+” icon on the right side of the composer, just above your keyboard. Tap it.
4. Compose the Second Post: A second composer window will appear directly below the first. You can now write the next part of your thread.
5. Keep Adding Posts: Continue tapping the "+" icon to add more posts until your full thread is written. You can scroll up and down to review and edit previous parts of the thread at any time.
6. Publish the Thread: When you’re satisfied with the entire thread, tap the blue "Post all" button in the top-right corner. X will publish all the posts at once, neatly linked together.

On the X Website (Desktop)

The process on a desktop browser is nearly identical, though the placement of the buttons is slightly different.

1. Start Composing: From your home feed, click the blue "Post" button on the left sidebar.
2. Write Your First Post: In the composer window that opens, type out the first entry in your thread.
3. Add a New Post: With your cursor still in the first text box, you'll see a light grey circular "+" icon appear next to the disabled "Post" button at the bottom. Click it.
4. Continue Your Thread: A new composer box will show up below the first. Write the second segment of your story here. Again, you can add media to each individual post. You'll notice the post character count in a small circle, showing you how much space you have left.
5. Publish: Once all the pieces are in place, the main blue button at the bottom will say "Post all." Click it to send your thread out into the world.

How to Add to an Existing Thread

Sometimes a story develops, or you have a new thought you want to add later. You don’t have to start a new thread, you can simply add to one you've already published.

1. Navigate to Your Thread: Find the thread on your profile. You can either find the first or last post in the sequence.
2. Click or Tap Into It: Open the post to view it by itself or as part of the full thread.
3. Find the Prompt: Scroll to the very bottom of the thread. You'll see an "Add another Post" button.
4. Compose and Publish: Clicking this opens the composer, already attached to the thread. Write your new post and publish it. It will appear at the end of the existing chain.

Pro Strategies for Crafting Irresistible Threads

Knowing how to make a thread is only half the battle. Now you need to learn how to make them engaging. Here are some strategies the best brand and creator accounts use every day.

1. Start with a Strong Hook

The first post in your thread is the most important. It's what people see in their feed, and it has one job: convince them to click "Show this thread." Your hook needs to grab attention and promise value immediately. Tease the outcome or ask a compelling question.

Example Hooks:

• "I turned a $500 investment into a $50,000 side-hustle. It wasn't easy. Here are the 5 lessons I learned the hard way. A thread 🧵👇"
• "Everyone thinks you need fancy software for great design. They're wrong. Here are 3 free tools that are 90% as good as their expensive counterparts."
• "Stop writing boring headlines. The 'Open Loop' technique will change how you write forever. Here’s a breakdown:"

Notice the common elements: they identify a pain point, promise a specific solution or outcome, and use formatting like the thread emoji (🧵) or "👇" to signal what's coming next.

2. Number Your Posts

Numbering your posts (e.g., 1/8, 2/8, 3/8) is a simple but powerful psychological trick. It gives readers a sense of progress and tells them how much of their time they're investing. People are much more likely to read to the end if they know there's a clear finish line. It also prevents them from feeling like the thread goes on forever, which can cause them to abandon it midway.

3. Maintain a Clear Narrative Flow

A great thread isn't just a random collection of posts, it's a story. Each post should build on the last. An easy structure to follow is:

• The Hook (First Post): Introduce the topic and the value proposition.
• The Body (Middle Posts): Deliver on your promise. Share your steps, insights, or story points, one point per post.
• The Conclusion (Last Post): Summarize the key takeaway and include a call-to-action.

4. Use Visuals to Break Up Text

Nobody wants to read an endless wall of text. Visuals make your content more engaging and easier to digest. Where possible, add relevant images, short videos, screenshots, or GIFs to each post in your thread. If you're explaining how to use a software tool, include screenshots. If you're telling a story, find images that match the mood. Visuals restart the reader's attention span and keep them scrolling.

5. End with a Powerful Conclusion and CTA

Don't let your thread just fizzle out. The last post is your chance to solidify the message and guide the audience toward a next step. A good concluding post often does two things:

1. Summarizes the Core Idea: A simple sentence like, "TL,DR: Focus on one channel, build genuine relationships, and stay consistent."
2. Presents a Call-to-Action (CTA): What do you want the reader to do now?
   • Ask a question to drive comments. ("Which of these tips will you try first?")
   • Encourage openshares. ("If you found this useful, please retweet the first post to share it!")
   • Promote another piece of content. ("For a deeper dive, check out my full blog post on this topic here:")
   • Invite follows. ("Follow me for more weekly advice on digital marketing.")

Common Thread-Making Mistakes to Avoid

Knowing what not to do is just as valuable as knowing what to do. Steer clear of these common mistakes:

• Burying the Lede: A boring, uninspired first tweet that doesn’t give anyone a reason to continue reading. Your best content must be front-loaded in the hook.
• The Giant Text Wall: Forgetting to format your posts with line breaks, bullet points, or emojis makes them visually dense and hard to read quickly. Keep paragraphs short.
• A Winding Narrative: Adding posts that are off-topic or don't logically flow from the previous one. Stick to a single, focused idea for the entire thread.
• Forgetting to Promote It: After publishing your thread, retweet the first post yourself a day or two later. Quoting it with additional context like, "A quick reminder on how to build a better sales funnel 👇" can also re-introduce it to your timeline.

Final Thoughts

That's all there is to it. Threads on X are a simple but incredibly effective way to share deeper knowledge and build authority with your audience. By mastering the strong hook, keeping a clear narrative with visuals, and finishing with a call-to-action, you move from just posting content to telling stories that resonate and spread.

Mastering threads is a game-changer, but planning them ahead of time is just as important. With our visual calendar in Postbase, we make it easy to draft, schedule, and see your entire X content strategy - including complex threads - laid out in one place, so you can focus on creating great content without the chaos.