agram threads: What you need to know (+5 quick tips to get started)
How do you decide which social media platforms to invest your time and money in?
Meta launched its newest social media platform, Threads, in July 2023. Instagram Threads has already generated a lot of buzz, but you might be wondering if it’s worth the investment for your business. This complete walkthrough will cover the new social media kid in the block.
Table of Contents
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What is Threads ?
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Why are Instagram threads important?
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Threads and Twitter
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What is Threads and how can it help your business?
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Create an Instagram threads account
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Instagram Threads
What is Threads?
Threads is an app for social media that uses text. Meta was launched in July 2023. Users can post up to 500 characters in Threads. Links, photos and videos of up to five minutes can be included in posts. Users can reply to posts, creating a “thread.”
Threads are currently available only to Instagram users in 100 countries who have access to iOS and Android. This may change, as Threads might expand to desktop browsers.
Many people have compared Threads to Twitter because it is similar in design.
Meta even released, a “following” feed similar to that on Twitter ( which is now called X), so users can only see posts from those they are following.
Why are Instagram Threads Important?
It’s rare that a new app becomes popular in an industry where so many social platforms are already dominant. We’ll discuss why Meta, which is the parent company of Facebook and Instagram created Threads.
Threads differs from Instagram because it is primarily a text-based platform. Thread replies are added to the original post, allowing users to converse more easily than Instagram’s comment section.
Threads vs. twitter
It’s believed that Threads was created to compete directly with Twitter. has stated on Instagram Threads that the platform is meant for entertainment, not news or politics, as Twitter.
Twitter underwent a turbulent rebranding when Elon Musk bought the platform. The social space became more competitive after Elon Musk acquired the platform (TikTok announced its own text-based feature). In fact, Twitter’s usage has declined by <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/17/twitters-top-users-are-posting-less-since-musk-acquisition-pew-shows.html#:~:text=A%20new%20survey%20from%20Pew,acquisition%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20survey%20indicated." Since Musk took over, Twitter's top users have been tweeting less. On top of this, traffic to Twitter has decreased by almost 6%. Additionally, in the US alone, Twitter has lost roughly five million users, going from 88 million users down to 83 millions. Twitter has around 200 millions users worldwide.
This number has dropped just as quickly, with the app seeing a 70% decline in daily active users since then. This number has declined as quickly as the app’s 70% drop in daily active users. This suggests that Instagram users may be trying Threads and then opting out.
It’s still too early to say whether Threads will last as long as Twitter, especially since Twitter continues to make changes every minute. For example, , the recent rebranding of Twitter to “X,” is a good example.
What should your business look like on Instagram?
Should your business be present on Instagram Threads if its user base continues to fluctuate?
The short answer to this question is yes. You want to optimize your business’s presence online, and make sure your brand can be found easily online. Maintaining listings for your business, social media profiles and your general web presence will increase your reputation. There are also no fees associated with Instagram Threads, which would take a bite out of your budget.
Consider this: If a customer searches for your business in Threads, you’d better be there. It’s also quick and simple to create an Instagram Threads Account (more about this below).
As with any marketing decision, there’s no right or incorrect answer. It all depends on what is best for your company. If you do not have the time to manage your account properly, it is best to avoid adding another platform. If you do not have a solid business Instagram profile it would be better to focus on Instagram before trying Threads.
Our free guide to the 30 Best Ways to Promote Your Business will help you find more ways to market beyond Threads.
Create an Instagram threads account
If you decide Instagram Threads will work for your business, this is how you can create an Instagram Threads Account:
- Download Threads, the app.
- Sign in to your Instagram account. (P.S. You don’t yet have an Instagram account? Here’s how you can create an Instagram account.
- To pull up all the information and settings from your Instagram profile, tap Import from Instagram. You can also manually customize your account if necessary. Tap the plus sign to upload your profile photo (we recommend using your logo). Tap bio to add your description of your business. And tap link to add links, such as your website.
- Once you are done, tap Next.
- Choose if you want a public profile or a private one at the top (anyone younger than 16 or 18 years old, depending on their country of residence, must have a profile that is private). Tap Continue at the bottom.
- Read all the terms and conditions, then click Create a profile.
Wait! You’re linking to your website through your Threads account. Use our website grader to ensure that your website is ready for the spotlight.
Instagram threads: 5 tips for getting started
Here are some quick Instagram Threads tips.
1. Instagram: How to solidify your business presence
You’re not quite ready to tackle Threads if your Instagram account for your business isn’t optimized. You’ll want to make sure you are maintaining consistency with your Instagram profile information. This will make it easier to set up Instagram Threads because all of your profile settings and information will be carried over.
In addition, you can notify your Instagram followers to follow you on threads. The more successful Threads will be, the stronger you are on Instagram. You can also re-share your Threads on Instagram Stories and posts in order to encourage customers to find you.
2. Check out your competition
It is important to evaluate your competitors before launching a new channel, such as Instagram Threads. You can find competitors within your industry by searching Instagram Threads. You can then identify ways for your business on Threads to stand out.
3. Set goals
When you start using Instagram Threads, your social networking goals will be a great guide. Consider what you want to achieve with Threads, whether it’s brand awareness, engagement or moving customers through your social-media funnel. Setting goals that are SMART (specific, measurable and achievable, relevant and time-bound), can help you track your Threads initiatives.
4. Join the conversation and be active
Don’t let your Instagram Threads account sit idle once it is live. You’ll want to demonstrate that you are active in the Threads community, and worth a follow. You’ll need to become comfortable with both replying to a thread and starting your own.
5. Promote your Instagram threads account through other channels
You’ll also want to use a multi-channel marketing approach for your Threads account, in addition to promoting it on Instagram. You could, for example, link to your Threads profile on your website, or ask your LinkedIn and Twitter followers to follow you there as well.
Instagram Threads: Stay ahead of the game
Get on Threads if you want to change up your strategy for social media and have meaningful conversations with your audiences. Businesses who aren’t having success with Twitter can use Instagram Threads as an alternative. Instagram Threads are a great way to reach more people online.
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