Just what we all needed, another Social Media Network. Well, actually, maybe yes.

Threads by Instagram is Meta's attempt at a Twitter-competitor app. Having been active for less than 1 week and already over 100 million users, this Social Media Network cannot be ignored.

While we can take plenty of incites from its predecessor, there are a few big differences:

  • Your Threads account is linked to your Instagram account. While your Bio can differ, you cannot change your Threads name without first changing your Instagram name.

  • Hashtags do not exist. Search and topics are taken directly from post text and content.

  • You currently cannot sort your feed by chronological order, although they say that change is forthcoming.

  • Your posts can contain up to 500 character and 10 visuals (images AND videos) that scroll like carousels.

  • Currently, there are no Ads on Threads.

  • Currently, you cannot schedule your posts on Threads. Everything must be done manually.

Here are a couple of ways to maximize this new Social Network:

  1. Create a Portfolio to highlight your work. Photographers, graphic designers, authors, etc.

  2. Create long-form, thought leadership pieces. The character limit and Threads format, by design, leave the opportunity for cliff-hangers in your writing and opportunities to keep your audience interested.

  3. Engage with Big Brands and your brand's close circle of followers/influencers.

  4. Use emojis in your posts. Being a text based app, the colors in the emojis help your posts stand out.

  5. Make lists. The format of these posts is perfect for these lists. Example: "Top 5 Reasons Drone Photos Will Improve Your Real Estate Listing"

  6. Ask questions. Engage with your audience. Receive feedback, and adjust your strategy.

Here is what I am having my clients do right now:

  1. Create your account and allow your audience to find and follow you. Nothing worse than having someone look for your brand and missing that opportunity to convert them into a follower initially.

  2. Populate your Threads profile with a handful of 1 or 2 important messages - product offering, contact information, etc. This way when a user does find your Page, it's not empty.

  3. Log-in daily and monitor the Network. Look for trends. Engage with other accounts.

Being active early on this network could be a powerful piece to your organization's overall marketing and communications strategies.

Some accounts that I manage have thousands of followers already, a feat that took us months (if not years) on other platforms.

Since all posts most be done manually without scheduling, actively managing another Social Media Channel may not be in the cards for every one - and that is okay. At the bare minimum, we should claim our profile and let our Instagram followers (and others) follow us so when the time is right, we are ready to strike.

#Threads #SocialMedia #SocialMediaMarketing #DigitalMarketing#ThreadsApp

At Peacock Social, we help non-profit organizations maximize their Social Media Marketing channels by offering services tailored specifically to the needs of your organization. If you have a question about Threads, or would like further Digital Marketing Management help, you can reach me at daniel@peacocksocial.com