Read on Twitter
When you use it right, Twitter is the most powerful online writing platform in the world.
But Twitter's algorithm suppresses weak content.
Avoiding the most common writing mistakes is the key to success.
Here are 5 of them you probably know nothing about:
But Twitter's algorithm suppresses weak content.
Avoiding the most common writing mistakes is the key to success.
Here are 5 of them you probably know nothing about:
The most underrated feature of online writing: Headlines.
The first line of your tweet is a headline.
It earns attention.
It stops someone's scroll or it doesn't.
A great headline answers: (1) WHAT is this about?, (2) WHO is this for? (3) What value do you PROMISE the reader?
The first line of your tweet is a headline.
It earns attention.
It stops someone's scroll or it doesn't.
A great headline answers: (1) WHAT is this about?, (2) WHO is this for? (3) What value do you PROMISE the reader?
Another good headline tip:
Have a unique point of view (so you don't sound like everyone else).
If you're writing about habits:
- Make a list of all the advice you've heard recently.
- Label it: Things I'm Not Allowed to Say.
- Use this constraint to write your tweet/thread.
Have a unique point of view (so you don't sound like everyone else).
If you're writing about habits:
- Make a list of all the advice you've heard recently.
- Label it: Things I'm Not Allowed to Say.
- Use this constraint to write your tweet/thread.
Everything changes when you start thinking about VISUAL presentation.
Do you smash your idea into the reader's eyeballs as one long block of text?
Or do you break it up...
into easy-to-read...
memorable...
lines?
Readers engage with ideas that are easy to read.
Do you smash your idea into the reader's eyeballs as one long block of text?
Or do you break it up...
into easy-to-read...
memorable...
lines?
Readers engage with ideas that are easy to read.
Another great visual presentation tip:
Threads and essays are visual, too.
Use the 1/3/1 cadence. Write 1 sentence, then 3, then 1 final sentence. Deliver your ideas 1 bite at a time.
1/3/1 increases the reader's velocity and understanding.
(By the way, this tweet is 1/3/1.)
Threads and essays are visual, too.
Use the 1/3/1 cadence. Write 1 sentence, then 3, then 1 final sentence. Deliver your ideas 1 bite at a time.
1/3/1 increases the reader's velocity and understanding.
(By the way, this tweet is 1/3/1.)
Twitter's algorithm punishes outbound links.
If you have a link to share (to your blog, newsletter, podcast, etc.), write a great tweet with a headline that grabs the reader's interest & engages their curiosity.
Then reply to your own tweet with the link (making a mini-thread).
If you have a link to share (to your blog, newsletter, podcast, etc.), write a great tweet with a headline that grabs the reader's interest & engages their curiosity.
Then reply to your own tweet with the link (making a mini-thread).
Want to see these tips in action?
Yesterday, I rewrote one of my first Atomic Essays for #ship30for30.
I applied these tips.
Twitter's algorithm EXPLODED. The original essay earned 1226 impressions. The revised essay earned 27128 impressions.
That's > 20X improvement!
Yesterday, I rewrote one of my first Atomic Essays for #ship30for30.
I applied these tips.
Twitter's algorithm EXPLODED. The original essay earned 1226 impressions. The revised essay earned 27128 impressions.
That's > 20X improvement!
HEADLINE
Original: 73% of Employers Want to Hire More Strong Writers. Here's Why.
New: 3 Reasons Why Employers Are Snapping Up Strong Writers
My new headline is:
• More specific ("3 Reasons")
• More emotional ("want" vs. "snapping up")
Original: 73% of Employers Want to Hire More Strong Writers. Here's Why.
New: 3 Reasons Why Employers Are Snapping Up Strong Writers
My new headline is:• More specific ("3 Reasons")
• More emotional ("want" vs. "snapping up")
UNIQUE POV
Original: "Always Hire the Best Writer"
New: "Why Writing Is More Valuable than Coding"
My Original POV was kind of interesting... not everyone would agree that writers make the best hire.
My New POV takes a more controversial stance. It makes you curious.
Original: "Always Hire the Best Writer"
New: "Why Writing Is More Valuable than Coding"
My Original POV was kind of interesting... not everyone would agree that writers make the best hire. My New POV takes a more controversial stance. It makes you curious.
VISUAL PRESENTATION
Here's a side-by-side comparison:
My original (on the left) has smaller fonts, longer paragraphs, and less contrast.
My new version (on the right) uses font, color, and size to make the content as easy to read as possible.
Here's a side-by-side comparison:
My original (on the left) has smaller fonts, longer paragraphs, and less contrast.
My new version (on the right) uses font, color, and size to make the content as easy to read as possible.
1/3/1 CADENCE
Here's another side-by-side comparison:
My original (on the left) makes it hard on the reader. The content is pretty similar, but those big paragraphs require more mental energy.
My new version (on the right) uses the 1/3/1 cadence. Much easier on the reader.
Here's another side-by-side comparison:
My original (on the left) makes it hard on the reader. The content is pretty similar, but those big paragraphs require more mental energy.
My new version (on the right) uses the 1/3/1 cadence. Much easier on the reader.
The benefits were huge.
With these tips, I took at fairly average piece of content and TRANSFORMED it into my best-performing tweet ever.
I hope you can use these tips, too.
Go make something great!
With these tips, I took at fairly average piece of content and TRANSFORMED it into my best-performing tweet ever.
I hope you can use these tips, too.
Go make something great!
And that's it!
If you found this thread useful, jump back to the top to bookmark it and share it so others can learn from it, too.
Follow me @andrewlogemann for daily essays and threads.
If you found this thread useful, jump back to the top to bookmark it and share it so others can learn from it, too.
Follow me @andrewlogemann for daily essays and threads.
I've been learning an incredible amount about online writing from @Nicolascole77's new course, Write the Ship.
Cole teaches you to use data to become a world-class writer.
If you want to learn more, check it out here: https://enroll.ship30for30.com/write-the-ship-how-to-write-online-course
cc: @dickiebush @dbustac
Cole teaches you to use data to become a world-class writer.
If you want to learn more, check it out here: https://enroll.ship30for30.com/write-the-ship-how-to-write-online-course
cc: @dickiebush @dbustac
And finally, here are the links to the tweets I've been talking about:
My original version: https://twitter.com/andrewlogemann/status/1360286416077520900
My revised version: https://twitter.com/andrewlogemann/status/1379950493070413826
