Threads Are Here! Does Your Biz Need To Sign Up?
Note: this is the transcript of a Just Quickly podcast episode. For accessibility the same information is available for listening on the Just Quickly podcast, and for reading on the EJG Creative website.
There is no doubt you have heard that Threads, the new Instagram app that is basically the Meta version of Twitter has landed in app stores. You’ve probably even joined the 30 to 40 million people who have signed up. I didn’t think of doing this as a podcast topic until I had three clients in my inbox this morning asking the same thing, “Do I need to be in Threads?” So I thought I would make an episode about my thoughts on the app and delve into how you can use it for your business.
First let’s just go over some of the specifics of the app:
You can write up to 500 characters per post and it is a text-based app so you don’t need to an image to anything to be able to post.
You can include links, photos and videos up to five minutes long
The app is super simple to sign up too and simply takes all of the information in your Instagram account and uses that for your profile. HOWEVER I do have a side note here: Some reports have said that if you want to delete your Threads profile, it will also delete your Instagram profile so do keep that in mind.
Once you have signed up you have the option to follow all of the same accounts you do on Instagram, meaning you don’t have to go and search for people manually.
Right, let’s talk about using the app for business because I think you should, but I also think you should take this platform a whole lot less seriously than you do other social media platforms. Threads have a FUN vibe about it, no one is taking things too seriously. Think memes, entertainment, jokes, and weird little thoughts you have that you want to share with the world.
Right now the app is just pure chaos. The accounts that are getting the most traction are the ones that aren’t jumping on there and keeping all things strictly business, they’re more business-casual. At the moment, anyone who is taking themselves too seriously is being laughed at.
Something notable that I am sure will change as the app ages and redefines itself is that it doesn’t have advertising. You are purely scrolling through a feed made up of CONTENT. However, they obviously have an algorithm working to suggest people and content you might like as well as seeing content from people you follow.
I think what Meta have done here, is they want to cover all basis (as well as pissing off Elon Musk of course). So you want to post a photo you go to Instagram, you want to post text you go to Threads. And then you are able to seamlessly share that Thread as an image to Instagram, including on your stories or feed.
My advice is YES go on there, get your username and start connecting with people. But play it by ear for now, don’t worry about a strategy or being overly business-y. Go on there and engage with people, have fun, post some memes and see where this goes.
Let’s end the podcast on this note because we all knew it was coming. Twitter has threatened to sue Meta via a letter addressed to Mark Zuckerberg, who is, of course, the CEO of Meta. They allege that Meta hired Twitter employees to create a copycat text app, and have stolen trade secrets and intellectual property. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out because I don’t think Twitter needed Threads to start really losing followers and support, they have already done that themselves since Elon took over.
If you sign up for the app head over to my profile @ejgcreative, lets connect!
