And you don’t have to be a regular user of social media to know the extent to which X (previously Twitter) has evolved into more than a random thoughts, memes, or news update platform in a relatively short amount of time. It has become this huge platform where individuals, companies, and even little creators can reach an audience in a manner that is intimate. And what is one of the largest tools that is really determining how people are interacting at the moment? Threads as a narrative.
Now, I know storytelling is a buzzword people use at conferences, but on X, it is actually simplifying your message into a set of posts people can follow, share and be a part of. It can be compared to sitting with a person and telling them, Hey, here is something interesting and then, biting down into small pieces that a person can read. That is one thread.
Why Threads Work So Well
To start with, attention span. And face it, we all have better things to do than read lengthy, messy articles unless it is something that we really are interested in. Threads are the sweet spot: neither long nor short. You are leading someone through, virtually like breadcrumbs, post by post.
Second, it is the form. A single tweet (sorry, post) can be lost in the ocean of content, but a thread allows you to develop further without blasting somebody with a single block of text. And what is best about it? Provided that your initial post is interesting, they will probably read the others.
Finally, threads promote communication within the community. They are not merely liked by people, people reply, quote, debate, and even contribute to the story. It is like you light a fire and the remarks feed the fire.
Storytelling That Actually Engages
Not every thread is a bulls-eye. And we know the ones that are too salesy and are like “I am trying too hard.” No one waits around to get those. The threads that perform are usually the ones that feel natural, human, and, honestly, a bit raw.
As an example, when a person tells a story about how they created a side hustle, failed a dozen times, and eventually got something right, that will tend to draw people in. Why? Since we love to watch the dirty bits as well as the finished product.
The other angle is the educational one. A thread written well, which disseminates a subject, e.g. marketing tips, how to invest, even the history of some random event, can go viral. Human beings enjoy learning new things in a digestible manner.
And there is humorous storytelling. Among the largest viral threads are folks simply telling a story about something humorous that occurred to them on the subway or at work. They are easy to connect with, share and quite frankly, even fun.
Mixing Storytelling With Strategy
Alright, now it is time to combine creativity with some strategy. That is fine as long as you are posting threads just to have fun. Unless you are developing a brand, expanding an audience, or attempting to reach a particular set of individuals, however, you will want to be a little more deliberate.
This is when X marketing to reach your niche audience comes in. Threads already draw attention, but by marketing them in a strategic way, we make sure that they are being seen by the right people, not just anybody scrolling by. It is sort of like authoring a great book and then ensuring that the book is indeed on the shelves where people shop.
Good rule of thumb: begin with some hook that seems an invitation. Just a little bit such as, I wish I had known this sooner… or Here is how I screwed up (and what you can learn). That opening line is all. Unless individuals click on the Show more, the thread is dead in the water.
Then, pace yourself. Do not pour the entire story in one or two posts. Subdivide, have every part breathe. Add personality to it as well–it is fine, even encouraged, to write with imperfect grammar, and even to include an emoji or two. Threads are discussions and not essays.
And yes, don’t forget a little call to action. Not every thread has to end with “buy this” or “follow me,” but a simple “what do you think?” or “has this happened to you?” can spark replies and push your thread further in the algorithm.
A Few Mistakes People Make
Let’s be honest for a second. A lot of people get excited about threads and then crash because they miss the basics. The most common mistake? Writing them like blog posts. Threads aren’t blogs. They require rhythm, space and punch.
The other pitfall is making them overly self-centred. It may be your story, but unless the audience can see themselves in it they will not be interested. Make all the connections back to a real-life emotion or lesson.
And finally, inconsistency. One great thread can get you attention, but if you disappear for months, the momentum fades. Building engagement on X is about showing up regularly, even if it’s short updates between bigger threads.
Why This Matters Now
You might be wondering, “Why does all this even matter?” Here’s the thing: in 2025, social platforms are noisy. Everybody is shouting, everyone is selling and attention is basically gold. Threads pierce through the noise as they sound less like screaming and more like narration.
And when you combine storytelling with the proper strategy–yes, such as employing X marketing to reach your niche audience–you are not just hoping that people will engage randomly. You are actually communicating to those who are interested in what you are saying. That is what creates communities and not followers.
Wrapping It Up
X threads are not just a fashionable format. They are a tool and as with any tool, it is how you use them that matters. Story tell, be truthful, bring value and do not over-polish. The minor flaw, like typos, relaxed language, the human element, usually makes your posts more human than a perfectly formatted article would ever be.
What this means is that, if you want to grow on X or even just get to know people who understand what you are about, give storytelling threads a serious chance. It is not about being the voice in the room. It is about being the one that people will actually pay attention to.
