Threads is the new social media platform from Facebook’s parent company, Meta, that gained 100 million users in its first five days.
Our social media account manager Chris has put together a complete guide to the new platform, including understanding exactly what it is, and whether or not your business should be ‘jumping on the bandwagon’.
What is Threads?
In Meta’s own words, “Threads is a brand new app built by the Instagram team, that allows you to share text updates and join public conversations.”
“Threads allow for sharing text updates and joining public conversations. You log in using your Instagram account and posts can be up to 500 characters long and include links, photos, and videos up to 5 minutes in length. We’re working to soon make Threads compatible with the open, interoperable social networks that we believe can shape the future of the internet.”
Essentially, it’s a rival platform to Twitter that has been introduced at the perfect time – just after Twitter announced it’s limiting the number of tweets you can view daily if you’re not paying for the platform.
Should my business be on Threads?
The question brands are asking now is: Do we need to be using Threads?
The answer to that will depend on your business and how you communicate with your audience.
If you currently use Twitter and find it a great platform for your business, then you may want to consider signing up for the platform. If not, it might not be worth it, and your time and resources are best directed at the platforms you know work for you.
Has the hype died already?
The latest reports state that the app has lost its hype, just two weeks after its initial launch: “Threads saw a 20% decrease in active users and a 50% decrease in time spent on the app.”
Despite being pitched as the rival to Twitter, it actually isn’t. It lacks many of the features that Twitter users are used to, such as search capabilities, direct messaging, and trend observations, among other features that allow users to search and connect with others on the app.
With a lot of people downloading the app with no real understanding of it, there was not a lot of content to interact with. This paved the way for an inundation of businesses with the same message: “So… what do we do here?”.
Therefore, if you are set on signing up to Threads and utilising it for your business, set a clear strategy that will set you apart from what the default for many brands seems to be so far.
How You Can Use Threads for Your Business
Cross-platform visibility
Threads has a seamless integration with Instagram, allowing you to share your Threads directly to Instagram Stories. This cross-platform visibility allows you to maximise content distribution and engage with a wider range of followers. Users can sign up for a Threads account using their existing Instagram information, making the entire sign-up process extremely easy.
Don’t forget that you can’t delete your Threads account without deleting your Instagram account. This may change in the future, but for now, ensure you or your social media team don’t accidentally delete your Instagram account!
Community building
What should your business be posting on Threads? As a short text-based app that is designed to foster positive communication and discussions, you should focus your Threads strategy on building a community. This includes posts that encourage and promote conversations.
Experiment with your content
Don’t be afraid to experiment with content – Threads is brand new and there are no guidelines or best practices as of yet. While many brands are copying their Twitter strategy, we know the platforms are still different, so you have a unique opportunity to experiment with the content you’ve been publishing.
Social media marketing agency topclick has the necessary expertise to help you grow steadily across a wide range of social media platforms, utilising the enormous reach available to target the customers you want to engage. Get in touch with us today for more information.