10.3: Art of Clarity - Crafting professional social media threads
- Page ID
- 286036
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)How to craft a professional social media thread on Bluesky, Threads or X (Twitter)
1. Start with a hook
Your first post should capture readers’ attention. Use a clear, bold, factual statement, an engaging question, or a statement of purpose to draw readers in. Keep the post concise. Focus on audience impact and raise questions in readers’ minds that will intrigue them enough to want to scroll through the entire thread.
2. Organize subsequent posts
Break down the supporting information and the continuation of the brief narrative into quick points or steps. Each post should make only one point so that the information is clear and easy to follow. Consider numbering your points in a separate document to provide a roadmap for the thread so it will have a cohesive flow.
3. Add visuals and examples
Offer examples of key points backed by images whenever possible. Include statistics if the information is clear and easy to understand. On Bluesky, Threads and X, you can enhance engagement by attaching charts or short videos to illustrate your message.
4. Maintain a professional tone
Keep the language respectful, polite, and to the point. Avoid jargon and avoid antagonizing the trolls. Write in the active voice as much as possible. Use short, clear sentences to maintain readability.
5. Use tags and mentions thoughtfully
Only include relevant hashtags to avoid clutter and to avoid appearing like a “hashtag stuffer,” i.e. one who uses popular but unrelated hashtags in a transparent attempt to grab clout. Mention (or tag) individuals or organizations only if it adds mutual value. Always credit sources of direct or paraphrased quotes, and shout out your collaborators when drawing on their work.
6. Expressly encourage engagement
Conclude with an open-ended question, a call to action, which might be to encourage readers to get the full story on another website. Invite readers to engage by sharing their thoughts and questions. If appropriate, encourage resharing. Use your best ethical judgment to determine if a thread should include a request for readers to repost for their followers.
7. Proofread
Before posting, double-check each post for possible factual errors, typos, or style issues. Check that your posts actually form a coherent thread. It is essential to plan out a thread ahead of time to avoid making corrections mid-stream. Good, professional social media threads are not often longer than 8-10 posts. Any longer than that, and audiences may lose interest. Your thread should answer the question it raised with the first post to the extent possible, or it should tell readers why the question is left open.
In a word processing document, create a draft of a social media thread about a newsworthy event. It might be hard news or soft news. The choice is up to you. Use a numbered list. Write out the full text of 8-10 posts. Follow the guidelines above when crafting your posts. Your thread, overall, should include at least three images and should encourage readers to ask questions, comment or re-post, if appropriate.
After carefully crafting your thread, answer the following questions in the same document:
- What platform do you intend to publish this thread to and why?
- Who is the target audience for your thread?
- Explain why you selected the visuals (which may include charts or other graphics) that you did.
- What is your plan for getting readers to engage with the thread beyond liking the first post or two?
- Do you offer a conclusion for the topic raised at the start of the thread? If not, do you explain why the question is left open? Explain briefly.