Is this thing on? 🎤 Let's talk about Threads.

'Bestie wake up, we're going to join a new social media platform.'

In case you missed it, Meta launched Threads on July 6. Within 2 hours, it has a whopping 2 million sign-ups.

I mean, Instagram is predicted to have 2.5 billion MAUs by the end of 2023. 2 million within the first two hours was definitely achievable.

Another thing that contributed to this was the (very, very) seamless sign-up. Here’s how:

• Install Threads, an Instagram app

• Log in using your Instagram account

• Create your account (change profile photo and bio or import)

• Start threading!

It’s THAT easy. I think it’s genius that our Instagram followers can be imported to Threads, making it easier for a lot of people to grow in an instant.

Remember, more followers = more inspiration to post at stay on the app.

But what is Threads, really?

I know we’re all confused. We didn’t know what the vibe was. But here’s how I personally and professionally view Threads.

At first, the UI feels like a public messaging platform. I don’t even know how to explain it but it’s kind of similar to Korean messaging apps that allow you to post statuses.

It’s less intimidating than the bird app, where posting your dinner can be too much. And it’s less terrifying than Instagram, where posting your long-form thoughts over a plain background is very skippable.

Threads is a balance of both. You don’t have to make sense most of the time.

You might want to share something too insignificant and less visual but want others to engage with you. That’s when you go to Threads.

It’s called Threads for a reason. It never ends. And this is what Mosseri has to say about it as well…

Another thing, Threads has no trending topics yet. So it’s hard to determine which topics are being talked about in different locations. You’ll figure it out based on what you’re seeing. It’s also mobile-based and not yet available on the www.

How does the algorithm work?

My first guess was Threads was still warming up. It doesn’t know what you want yet and it’s pushing the discoverability of everyone as an incentive to live up to what Threads mean (engagement).

Here’s what Mosseri said…

To sum it up, you’ll see more people you don’t follow and until you have *enough* accounts, you can curate your feed.

How can it help businesses?

1. More followers. Threads makes it easy to grow followers not just because of how many followers you have on Instagram. It’s because the discoverability is high. You can turn up on other people’s feeds with 0 followers.

2. Increase Instagram followers. Since the discoverability is high and transitioning from Threads to Instagram (and vice versa) is seamless, more people can follow you on Instagram.

3. Boost engagement. Threads is AIM-style, making it conveniently engaging. Everyone (at least for now) is still vibing. No one’s selling yet (I guess, lol). So, engagement is really important in manifesting what Threads is about.

4. Humanize the brand. You don’t need to overthink the content you’ll post. Sure, you can share your resources, blogs, or whatever. But you don’t need to spend 10 hours of your time curating and designing for it (*coughs, me*). It’s the best time to just be funny, witty, and creative.

5. Everyone is still navigating the app. I mention in the release of the bid app’s Fleets before that we have the power to set the tone and culture of a new app. Nothing’s cool yet. Nothing’s corny yet. Even top celebrities are just vibing and engaging with ordinary people.

You see, you don’t have to overthink Threads. It’s not like you’re joining a class in the middle of the school year and everyone only wears cashmere and you come in polyester.

No. It’s not defined yet.

What to post on Threads for businesses?

This isn’t a strategy. I know how much other marketers loathe their fellow marketers because they want to enjoy the moment but what can we do? This is our expertise, it’s hard to not create something and share valuable tips.

Anyway, here are some of the things you can post on Threads.

1. Witty and funny takes.

Wendy’s was one of the first brands that became creative (and competitive) on Threads. In fact, they’re calling threads “threats” and we’re here for it. If you think it suits your brand, you can try to be funny and creative with your posts.

2. Repurposed content

If you have a carousel post, maybe you can create a thread about it. Remember, Threads has new audiences. You can also switch up the tone or shorten them for better readability and to ensure it suits the current vibe of the platform.

3. Relatable content

Netflix is a streaming platform… but some of its content is about empathizing with social media managers, targeting a certain set of audiences (social media managers).

Because again, you don’t have to be serious about Threads yet. It’s okay to relate with other people. Act confused. Say ‘hi'.’ Navigate it blindly. You’ll figure it out.

4. Your business

Yep, talk about your business. For now, it doesn’t have to be in a sales-y way. This is where your storytelling skills come into play. Share more about you, your business, and your cause.

5. Reply to other people.

Just like the bird app, you can also see the replies on Threads. This is still considered your content. So, reply to more people and engage with them. Not only you’re making your brand/account known and seen, but you’ll build connections with them.

Moving forward…

We can’t determine which route threads will go. But one thing’s for sure… it’s growing fast. And we’ve seen firsthand that many people are already leaving the bird app (some even years ago) and focused on posting IG stories.

Now that there’s an alternative app that’s connected to Instagram, we can safely say that millions are willing to stay.

As for the strategy, it’s hard to see which posts are the best because we’re literally on Day 2. We need to gauge and see where it takes us.

For now, keep exploring.

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This isn’t a strategy and I’m not affiliated with any of these companies. Consider these as opinions.

For more social media marketing, career, and personal branding tips, follow The Feisty Marketer on Instagram.

To know more about my experiences, connect with me on LinkedIn and visit my website.

Let’s connect on Threads: @thefeistymarketer