In the continually evolving world of social media, Meta has released its newest offering: Threads, a fresh social networking app crafted for sharing text updates and joining public conversations.
Sound familiar? If you're thinking this sounds much like Twitter, you're right on the money.
In the wake of recent criticism surrounding Twitter's algorithm changes and feature updates since Elon Musk's takeover, Meta has seized an opportunity to fill a market gap with what they describe as an “open friendly space for communities”.
But what exactly is Threads? How does it set itself apart from Twitter? And most importantly, how can businesses leverage this platform for their marketing strategies? Let’s find out! 👀
Built by Instagram, Threads is a new app that offers a separate space for real-time updates and public conversations. It’s a digital hotspot where you can connect, communicate, and initiate brand-centric discussions.
Key differences between Instagram Threads and Twitter include:
Threads generously provides a 500-character limit, nearly double the 280-character maximum on Twitter.
While unverified Twitter users can post videos up to two minutes and twenty seconds, Threads users can upload videos up to five minutes long.
Twitter allows users to see trending topics and search for keywords or terms to bring up related tweets. For now, Threads doesn’t offer this option and the only way to see discussions is to scroll through the home feed or click on a user’s profile to view all of their threads.
Threads is built on the same ActivityPub social-networking protocol as Mastodon and other decentralised social networking apps. This means users who build followings on Threads will eventually be able to use the app to interact with wider communities beyond Instagram.
One of the best features of Threads is that you don’t have to build an entirely new community from scratch when you download the app. Instead, your Instagram audience is seamlessly integrated into Threads, so you can start having meaningful conversations straight away.
Threads is the next big tool for marketing. By creating engaging threads around your brand and its products or services, you can attract new customers and foster brand loyalty.
Instagram Threads serves as a powerful tool to engage with your customers, allowing open lines of communication for any thoughts, feedback, and queries they have about your business.
While Threads is designed to be a more text based platform, the ability to share photos in your thread allows you to showcase your brand in a visually appealing way. Like Instagram, there is a limit of up to 10 photos in a single post, however this is still an improvement upon Twitter’s limit of 4 images.
Getting started on Threads is super easy if you already have an Instagram account. Upon opening the app, you can instantly log in with your Instagram account, without having to enter any details at all, so long as you're logged into the Instagram app on your phone.
You’ll then be given the option to import your profile details, such as your bio and links.
From here, you can choose whether your Threads account is public or private. If you opt for a public account, anyone on or off Threads can see, share and interact with your content.
If you’d rather have a private profile, only your approved followers can see and interact with your content.
Next, you’ll be prompted to follow the same accounts you follow on Instagram. However, there is an option to opt out and manually follow accounts you want to see on your feed.
Crafting a compelling first Instagram Thread can seem daunting, but when it’s done right, it can skyrocket your engagement and relationship building.
So how do you stand out from the crowd? Here are some of our top tips when it comes to writing your first thread:
Much like the first line of a book, your first thread needs to hook your audience immediately. You can do this by asking a question, offering an interesting fact or even by making a controversial statement (though be careful not to offend, it’s all about balance!)
Threads isn’t a platform for lengthy narratives. Keep it short, snappy and to the point.
Encourage your audience to participate in your conversations by asking questions or seeking opinions. The more users interact with your thread, the more visibility it gets.
Using eye-catching visuals breaks the monotony of text threads and helps to make you stand out from the crowd. Ideally your first post should only include 1-2 images to begin with, so your visuals aren’t lost.
If you’re sharing tips or steps in your first thread, make sure to break them up using bullet points, numbers or emojis. This makes your thread reader-friendly and highly shareable!
Once you’ve finalised your thread and posted it, spread the word by using either the ‘Add to Story’ or ‘Post to Feed’ options, which repost your thread as a visually appealing image on Instagram.
As Threads is a brand new social media platform, many users are only just wrapping their heads around the way it works and how they can get the most out of the app.
As a business, getting involved in the latest trends is crucial to staying relevant and connecting with your audience. If you’re unsure of how to get started on Threads, allow us to help.
Our team is always up-to-date on the latest trends when it comes to social media marketing. Get in touch with us today to discover how we can assist you in crafting an effective social media strategy that harnesses the power of innovative platforms like Threads.
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