What are Instagram Threads and is it a good platform for your business?
In this Episode
I'm here with a bonus episode to share my initial thoughts on Threads, the exciting new app from Instagram (now Meta). Now, I know what you might be thinking - not another social media app, right? But hear me out! Threads just launched about 24 hours ago, and it's already gaining momentum. I decided to dive right in and explore it for myself.
So, in this episode, I'll give you a rundown of my first impressions and help you decide if Threads is worth your attention. Threads, built by Instagram, is all about sharing text updates and sparking public conversations. If you've ever used Twitter, it has a similar vibe. Personally, I used to be on Twitter, but I found it too time-consuming. However, being heavily invested in Instagram, I was curious to see how Threads could benefit me. And let me tell you, I'm really digging it!
What I love about Threads is its focus on conversations. It's like a text thread with your friends, but on a larger scale. It's a great opportunity to start discussions, see what people are thinking, and react to their thoughts. Plus, there's way less pressure compared to Instagram, where you feel the need to have the perfect photo or video and stay on top of trends. Threads seems to downplay the importance of hashtags, which is refreshing. Now, let's talk about some key features that make this new app awesome.
Firstly, your posts on Threads can have up to 500 characters, giving you ample space to express your thoughts. You can also include links, which is something we've been missing in Instagram captions. So, directing people to specific links becomes effortless. Another cool aspect is the ability to add photos and videos of up to five minutes long. This makes it easy to share quick information or create a blend of media, although it's not mandatory. That's what I really enjoy about Threads – you don't need visuals to participate. So, if your business revolves around conversations, education, sharing important information, or networking, Threads might be the perfect space for you.
One significant advantage is how seamlessly Threads integrates with Instagram. You can easily share your Threads content to your Instagram story, which is a great way to onboard new users who may have missed it on your Instagram profile. Instagram is making it simple for us by mimicking our entire Instagram profile onto Threads. When you join, you even have the option to follow all your existing followers without searching for them individually.
Since its launch, I've noticed some interesting content on my home feed. I see what the people I follow are sharing, and Instagram's algorithm provides recommendations for other posts I might find interesting. It's an excellent way to discover new conversations and participate in them.
Threads also allows you to re-share threads, just like on Twitter. So, if someone shares a message you resonate with, you can easily repost it to your own profile without creating it from scratch. This feature enhances networking and connection opportunities, which I find invaluable. In fact, I recently shared something from Mosseri, the head of Instagram, where he discussed the difference between posting on Threads versus Instagram. According to him, Threads is more about engaging in public conversations, while Instagram leans towards a mix of text, photos, and videos. Now, keep in mind that Threads may not be suitable for all businesses. If your brand heavily relies on visuals and storytelling through imagery and video, sticking to Instagram or exploring platforms like TikTok might be a better fit. However, if you're in a service-based industry like mine, where public conversations and networking are vital, Threads is definitely worth exploring alongside your existing Instagram presence.
BeforeI wrap up, here's an important detail I came across while exploring Threads. If you want to make your profile private or block someone, you can do so, just like on Instagram. However, here's the catch: while you can delete individual posts on Threads, if you want to delete your Threads profile and data entirely, you'll need to delete your Instagram account. It's something to keep in mind, but personally, it doesn't bother me as I plan to be an active user on Threads. So, if you're curious to join me on Threads and continue our conversations about business, marketing, and social media without the pressure of visuals, find me there at Angela.s.doin - just like on Instagram. Let's connect, engage, and explore this exciting new platform together.