If leveraged quickly, Twitter can lead to life-changing opportunities, jobs, mentors, and friendships.

It did for me.

But 95% of people have no idea how to start.

Here's a thread of 13 tips to help you turn Twitter into your most valuable resource:

1. Protect your attention from the algorithm.

Twitter is geared to try and serve content they think you like, not content that will create a positive impact for you.

To protect your attention:

• Use Twitter Lists
• Block Trending Topics
• Regularly Mute Conversations
2. Build Twitter Lists

The Twitter timeline is scattered. One second you are learning about NFTs, the next the best coffee shop in NYC.

Lists create content silos that allow you to build deeper understanding of the topics you actually care about.

(Video h/t @aaditsh)
2a. Use Lists on iOS

The majority of Twitter consumption happens on mobile.

Easily toggle between lists at the top of your screen by pinning them there!
3. Use Tweetdeck

Tweetdeck superpowers your Twitter experience.

• Displays all your lists in one place
• Timeline is organized by chronology not the algorithm
• Allows you to see the bios of your recent follows (DM the ones that interest you!)
4. Follow/Leverage Topics

Topics:

• Can help you build domain authority quickly
• Centralizes the best content that you should add to your swipe file
• Provide a consistent stream of high-quality follows in your interest areas

https://t.co/94moQOBQJQ
5. Leverage Advanced Search

Use it to find:

• Who are the best writers in x field? [adjusting for terms]
• What are the best content topics to write about? [adjusting for likes/RTs]
• How your favorite accounts got started? [adjusting date range]

https://t.co/Mn6fpCpQHE
6. Install Twemex

Twemex minimizes the friction of search.

This magical plugin allows you to

• Immediately see the user's best tweets
• Randomly toggle between users for inspiration
• Easily browse for key terms in a user's tweets
7. Build a Twitter Swipe File

Swipe File [Def]: a collection of tested and proven advertising and sales letters.

In our case, we want to be collecting the best Tweets in given topic areas.

Notion is great for storing this type of content.
8. Write Threads

Threads lead to growth, but why?

• Efficient value transfer
• Aggregate other resources easily
• Higher retention of audience's attention [reading your content for 10 secs v. 5 mins]

https://t.co/OXz7d28vC5
9. Dive deep into Analytics

Once you start producing content/writing threads.

Focus on evaluating how each piece of content performs.

Over time you want to improve your profile view/follow ratio – by improving your bio, call-to-action, and content in general.
10. Optimize your bio

Your bio is your resumé to the rest of the internet and a big determinant in whether people will follow you or not.

Experiment with it over time to find your perfect fit, but evaluate some great examples here:

https://t.co/8fMpoColSQ
11. Learn from others

There is no one size fits all strategy. Constantly be iterating and studying other creators.

IE. @AprilynneA provides some great teachings on the 0 → 1 part of the Twitter journey, I didn't cover here:

https://t.co/ds5w24fygI
12. Get your mindset right

Twitter is always changing.

Focus on approaching your optimization with a curious learner mindset:

• Build a swipe file of content
• Study your favorite profiles (bios + threads)

The right mindset sets you up for long-term growth.
13. Audience growth ≠ Value of your account

The value of Twitter is determined by the number of personal connections you create.

The quality of your connections > the number of your followers.

Connections DM you opportunities, followers expect one-way value transfer.
Let's get more people creating!

1. Quote retweet the first tweet & let me know your thoughts.

2. Follow me @brandonthezhang for more Twitter/Audience-Building/Content Creation threads in the near future!

3. Share your favorite Twitter growth resource below 👇

More from All

1. Mini Thread on Conflicts of Interest involving the authors of the Nature Toilet Paper:
https://t.co/VUYbsKGncx
Kristian G. Andersen
Andrew Rambaut
Ian Lipkin
Edward C. Holmes
Robert F. Garry

2. Thanks to @newboxer007 for forwarding the link to the research by an Australian in Taiwan (not on

3. K.Andersen didn't mention "competing interests"
Only Garry listed Zalgen Labs, which we will look at later.
In acknowledgements, Michael Farzan, Wellcome Trust, NIH, ERC & ARC are mentioned.
Author affiliations listed as usual.
Note the 328 Citations!
https://t.co/nmOeohM89Q


4. Kristian Andersen (1)
Andersen worked with USAMRIID & Fort Detrick scientists on research, with Robert Garry, Jens Kuhn & Sina Bavari among


5. Kristian Andersen (2)
Works at Scripps Research Institute, which WAS in serious financial trouble, haemorrhaging 20 million $ a year.
But just when the first virus cases were emerging, they received great news.
They issued a press release dated November 27, 2019:

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