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Justin Welsh's Best X Posts

@thejustinwelsh

Justin Welsh talks about solopreneurship.

Justin Welsh has grown a big (and profitable) audience on X.

One of the reasons? The ability to create engaging content that got a lot of engagement.

Here are the 10 best posts (and why they worked):

Post #1

JW
Justin Welsh
@thejustinwelsh
I paid a guy $130 to move a treadmill in 30 minutes. Said he had 8 moves that day. Do the math. Have you made $1,040 in one day? Everyone wants entrepreneurship to be fancy. Sometimes it's just movin' treadmills.

Why This Post Performed Well

The hook of this post defies conventional entrepreneurship wisdom. The specific numbers ($130, 30 minutes, 8 moves, $1,040) make the story concrete and believable. Raw data is more powerful than vague claims. "Do the math" is a rhetorical question taht engages the reader's mind and makes them actively participate in discovering the insight. The rhetorical question "Have you made $1,040 in one day?" lands perfectly because: - It validates the impressiveness of "just" moving treadmills - It forces comparison with the reader's own income - It challenges entrepreneurial snobbery The final line delivers the knockout punch. By contrasting "fancy" entrepreneurship with moving treadmills, it: - Destroys limiting beliefs about what makes a "valid" business - Makes success feel more attainable - Calls out entrepreneurial elitism The casual, straight-talking tone ("movin' treadmills") reinforces the message about simplicity and adds authenticity. This post works because it combines concrete proof of success, a personal story with a powerful challenge to conventional wisdom about what entrepreneurship should look like.

Post #2

JW
Justin Welsh
@thejustinwelsh
Today I turn 42. Here's every unique lesson someone taught me in my 20-year career: 1. Don't fuck around in your 20s.

Why This Post Performed Well

This opening packs a punch for several reasons: Opening with age "42" establishes immediate credibility - it's old enough to have wisdom but young enough to be relatable to many professionals. "20-year career" further reinforces the author's experience while creating a clear timeframe for the lessons. The stark contrast between the formal setup and the raw, direct first lesson ("Don't fuck around in your 20s") creates a pattern interrupt that grabs attention. Using profanity in the first lesson signals: - This won't be typical corporate advice - The author will be brutally honest - The following lessons will be unfiltered and authentic Starting with advice about your 20s is strategic because: - It speaks directly to a large portion of the audience - It implies regret or hard-earned wisdom - It creates urgency for younger readers - It resonates with older readers who wish they'd heard this sooner The "every unique lesson" promise suggests comprehensive value while "someone taught me" shows humility - these aren't just personal opinions but collected wisdom from multiple sources.

Post #3

JW
Justin Welsh
@thejustinwelsh
How to stop procrastinating (for good):

Why This Post Performed Well

The "How to" opening immediately signals practical value - readers know they'll get actionable advice, not just theory. The word "stop" is key here - it promises complete elimination of the problem, not just reduction. People struggling with procrastination don't want to "reduce" or "manage" it - they want it gone. Adding "(for good)" is brilliant because it: - Implies this is a permanent solution, not another quick fix - Addresses the main frustration with most procrastination advice - that it only works temporarily - Creates urgency by suggesting this could be the last procrastination advice you'll ever need The topic itself is universally relatable. Almost everyone struggles with procrastination at some level, making this instantly relevant to a massive audience. The brevity is also strategic - it demonstrates confidence in the solution. No need for fancy adjectives or elaborate setups. This post works because it promises to solve a universal pain point with a permanent solution, all while keeping the entry barrier low through its simple, approachable phrasing.

Post #4

JW
Justin Welsh
@thejustinwelsh
My 7-figure, one-person business is run entirely on systems. Here are the 6 most important ones I use: (Feel free to steal, replicate, and use for your business.)

Why This Post Performed Well

The hook with "7-figure" immediately captures attention - it's a clear marker of success that many entrepreneurs aspire to. "One-person business" is a powerful phrase because it makes the dream feel attainable. It suggests you don't need a huge team or complex operation to reach significant success. The word "entirely" is crucial here - it implies completeness and suggests the author has truly mastered systematic business operations. Using a specific number ("6") makes the promise concrete and digestible. It tells readers exactly what to expect. The parenthetical "(Feel free to steal, replicate, and use)" is brilliant because it: - Creates instant value by giving explicit permission to copy - Makes the reader feel like they're getting insider knowledge - Reduces friction - readers know they can implement these exactly as described The informal, giving tone ("steal") makes the author feel approachable despite their success. This post hits the sweet spot of aspiration meets actionability - it proves massive success is possible (7-figures) while promising to show exactly how to get there (systems you can copy).

Post #5

JW
Justin Welsh
@thejustinwelsh
How to rewire your brain (to think like a champion):

Why This Post Performed Well

This post hooks immediately because it promises a life-changing transformation: rewiring your brain. The idea of “thinking like a champion” taps into ambition and self-improvement, appealing to anyone striving for success. The phrasing makes it feel achievable—“rewire” suggests a clear process, not some vague mindset shift. It’s actionable and scientific-sounding, which adds credibility without being intimidating. The parentheses create curiosity. Why are those words tucked away? It feels like a sneak peek or a secret being revealed, which pulls readers in further. This works because it combines a big promise with simplicity and intrigue. It doesn’t overwhelm with unnecessary details—it cuts straight to the point, making readers feel like they’re about to unlock a powerful secret to success. Short, punchy, and focused on transformation, it’s a perfect hook for people hungry for self-betterment.

Post #6

JW
Justin Welsh
@thejustinwelsh
How to craft a top 1% Twitter thread:

Why This Post Performed Well

The phrase "top 1%" instantly grabs attention by promising elite-level knowledge. It taps into people's desire to be exceptional and stand out. The use of a specific percentage (rather than just saying "great" or "excellent") makes the promise feel more concrete and measurable. Starting with "How to" signals immediately that this is actionable advice, not just theory. People on Twitter particularly value practical tips they can implement. The word "craft" is a smart choice - it suggests this is a skill that can be learned and mastered, not just natural talent. It also implies there's an art and science to thread-writing that the author will reveal. Additionally, since Twitter threads had become an increasingly popular format for building audience and sharing knowledge, content about optimizing threads tends to resonate strongly with users looking to grow their presence on the platform.

Post #7

JW
Justin Welsh
@thejustinwelsh
My one-person business does $169k/mo in revenue. It costs me $623/mo + 2.9% to run it. Here are the 11 no-code tools in my tech stack:

Why This Post Performed Well

This post grabs attention with insane numbers. $169K/month in revenue for a one-person business is a dream scenario, and it immediately sparks curiosity: How is that even possible? The cost breakdown ($623/month + 2.9%) adds shock value. It’s incredibly low overhead, making the business feel hyper-efficient and attainable, even for beginners. People want to know how they can replicate this. By framing the tools as a list (“Here are the 11 no-code tools”), it promises a clear, actionable takeaway. No-code tools are trending, so this taps into a growing movement while emphasizing simplicity—perfect for an audience intimidated by complex setups. The contrast between the huge revenue and tiny costs builds tension and intrigue, while the specific number of tools adds structure. It works because it’s aspirational yet practical, giving readers both inspiration and the exact steps to explore. It says, “You can do this too.”

Post #8

JW
Justin Welsh
@thejustinwelsh
Things I know at 41, I wish I had known at 21.

Why This Post Performed Well

This post resonates because it taps into universal regret and wisdom. Everyone wishes they could go back and give their younger selves advice, making this relatable to a broad audience. The contrast between 21 and 41 sets up a story arc—growth, reflection, and hard-earned lessons. The phrasing is personal and conversational, inviting readers into the writer’s journey. It feels authentic, as though the insights are coming from real experience rather than generic advice. That personal touch makes it more engaging. The brevity of the sentence creates intrigue. It’s an open loop, hinting at valuable life lessons without giving them away, compelling readers to keep reading to find out what they missed. This post works because it’s reflective and aspirational. It promises a shortcut to wisdom, saving readers from making the same mistakes. It hits emotional chords while delivering practical takeaways—a winning combination.

Post #9

JW
Justin Welsh
@thejustinwelsh
I’ve done $2M in income in 2.5 years as a solopreneur. And I didn't write a single line of code. My 14 "must use" no-code tools: [thread]

Why This Post Performed Well

This post is a winner because it combines massive results with relatability and practical advice. Making $2M in 2.5 years is an eye-popping achievement, but the real hook is the “no code” part. It instantly tells readers, “You don’t need to be a tech wizard to achieve this.” The phrasing “And I didn’t write a single line of code” flips the narrative for people who think technical skills are a barrier to entry. It’s empowering, especially for non-technical solopreneurs who dream of hitting big numbers. Listing “14 ‘must use’ no-code tools” creates a promise of direct, actionable value. It appeals to readers who are hungry for solutions and want to see exactly what’s working. The thread format adds extra pull—it teases more insights to come, driving engagement. The post thrives on big claims, simplicity, and empowerment. It shows the dream is possible without overwhelming complexity, making it irresistible for aspiring solopreneurs.

Post #10

JW
Justin Welsh
@thejustinwelsh
I made $0 online in 2019. 3 years later: - 100M+ impressions - $1.7M in online income - 4 successful revenue streams What changed? I started writing online every day. Here's my simple 4-step process.

Why This Post Performed Well

This post hooks readers with a classic before-and-after transformation. Starting with “I made $0 online in 2019” makes the success story feel relatable—most people have been at zero. The timeline (“3 years later”) adds a sense of possibility and urgency, showing how quickly things can turn around. The numbers are powerful: “100M+ impressions” and “$1.7M in online income” instantly grab attention, while “4 successful revenue streams” promises multiple layers of value, appealing to readers who want diverse income sources. The real draw is in the simplicity of the solution: “I started writing online every day.” It’s actionable and attainable, breaking down success into a habit anyone can replicate. Finally, “Here’s my simple 4-step process” delivers a clear promise of practical, no-fluff advice. It’s concise, skimmable, and guarantees value. This mix of relatability, big results, and actionable steps makes it irresistible for aspiring online creators.

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