Learn the most effective strategies for writing engaging X threads that resonate with your audience and go viral.
So you want to want to know how to write viral X Threads?
It sometimes requires exceptional writing talent or industry insider knowledge.
But here's the truth: You don't need either.
Viral thread can be reversed enginered (and that's why I've created this swipe file.)
After analyzing over 1,000 threads on X, here's what works:
The Viral X Thread 3-Sentence Formula
The most viral X threads start with almost the same pattern.
It's not a coincidence.
The best X Threads creators have mastered the art of the hook.
The formula is deceptively simple: three sentences with the last one creating an irresistible cliffhanger.
Or:
This structure works because it follows a proven psychological pattern:
- First sentence: Make a bold claim or share an intriguing fact
- Second sentence: Create contrast or address objections
- Third sentence: Promise a specific payoff with phrases like "Here's how" or "Here's what you need to know"
The "Here's how" clincher works because it activates what psychologists call the Zeigarnik effect.
Our brains hate unfinished business.
Once you've set up an information gap, readers feel compelled to keep reading to close that loop.
Viral X Thread writers aren't leaving this to chance.
They're deliberately engineering that first tweet to maximize the likelihood that readers will click "Show more" and continue through the entire thread.
Don't reininvent the wheel.
Swipe the 3-sentence structure.
1. Curation
Most people think they need to create completely original content to go viral on X.
Dead wrong.
Some of the most successful X creators aren't creating new content - they're curating existing knowledge and presenting it in a compelling way.
This thread by Tommi Pedruzzi is the perfect example:
Here's why it works:
- You're piggybacking on established authority (the book author, expert, etc.)
- You don't need to be the world's leading expert - just a good translator
- You can create valuable content without staring at a blank screen
The best part? People WANT curated content.
In a world of information overload, being the person who filters and organizes valuable insights makes you incredibly valuable.
2. Riding trends
X is a trend-senstive platform.
Sometimes all you need is simply write about something trending and that's picking up in the zeitgeist.
This can be in various fields like:
- Tech
- Politics
- Or some sensational news.
Some examples include:
This tweet went viral when back in February 2025, there was an altercation between Elon Musk and Sam Altman.
And since Elon Musk owns Twitter, it's easy to understand why this went viral.
Some practical ways to identify trends:
- Check the "What's happening" sidebar on X
- Look at trending hashtags in your niche
- Pay attention to major product launches or industry news
- Monitor what the top creators in your space are discussing
You don't need to be first - you just need to add value to the conversation.
Being timely matters more than being original.
A well-crafted thread about a trending topic will almost always outperform a brilliant thread about something nobody is talking about.
3. Document your journey
Real stories outperform abstract advice every time on X.
One of the most powerful thread formats simply documents a personal journey.
Take this viral example by Farhan:
This thread exploded because it hits all the right notes:
- It's relatable (just regular tools most people have access to)
- It shows tangible results (making actual money)
- It promises a clear roadmap others can follow
The content that breaks through isn't polished advice - it's the messy, honest documentation of a journey with all its ups and downs.
People don't just want tips - they want to see themselves in someone's story.
The best part about the documentation approach is that it's authenticity-proof. You can't fake experience. When sharing what actually worked or failed, you're giving people something they can't get from AI or content mills.
Documentation threads work especially well for:
- First success with a new platform or tool
- Overcoming a specific challenge
- Achieving a milestone your audience aspires to reach
You don't need to wait until you've "made it" to document a journey.
In fact, threads showing someone figuring things out in real-time often perform better than retrospective success stories.
They have that raw, unfiltered quality that makes X such a powerful platform.
A journey might seem ordinary to the person living it, but to someone just starting out, it's the exact roadmap they've been searching for.
4. Life advice to your younger-self.
People love life advice from someone who's "been there, done that."
Take this example by Appsumo founder Noah Kagan:
Or this one by indie-developper Marc Lou:
Or this one by Matt Gray:
These threads tap into something powerful: our hunger for shortcuts and wisdom from those who've walked the path before us.
Framing advice as "what I wish I knew" or "lessons from XX years of experience" immediately positions the content as battle-tested wisdom rather than theoretical fluff.
The beauty of this format is its versatility. It works for career advice, relationship insights, health tips, or financial wisdom. The only requirement is that it comes from genuine experience.
Why does this format work so well?
- It creates instant authority (lived experience trumps theory)
- It promises condensed wisdom (saving readers years of trial and error)
- It triggers curiosity (what might I be missing?)
The best wisdom threads don't just offer generic advice.
They challenge conventional thinking with counterintuitive insights that make readers stop and reconsider their assumptions.
For example, instead of "work hard to succeed," a wisdom thread might say: "I wasted 15 years working hard on the wrong things. What actually moved the needle was spending 80% of my time on relationships, not tasks."
These threads perform exceptionally well because they combine two powerful elements: the credibility of experience with the promise of a shortcut. And on a platform where everyone's racing for advantages, that's an irresistible combination.
5. Book quotes
I know, I know.
This sounds like Facebook in 2010.
But book quotes work. People are looking for good quotes all the time.
So if you can package your highlights of a popular book into a thread...
That's sometimes all you need to go viral on X, like this thread by Kieran Drew :
6. Tutorials
Another shocker.
But people still love to learn (as long as it's entertaining.)
So if you can give people quick wins about what they want, you're tapping into a never-ending fountain of interest.
Example:
Writing Viral X Threads Is Easier With A Swipe file
So right now you could either try to reinvent the wheel and search for viral threds on X...
Ir you could simply browse the swipe file because I've done all the work for you.
Click the pretty purple button to get started.