The idea of installing another social media app can be exhausting, but staying ambitious and open to innovation could make all the difference when it comes to your social media marketing strategy.
The new text-first app, Threads, which just launched on July 5th, 2023, can be on your next strategic marking plan even if it fails on the market. This app may seem like a Twitter derivative, but it could mean immediate exposure for you and your business.
WHAT IS THREADS?
Threads might feel familiar, like coming home. It’s the perfect mix of your Twitter and Instagram feeds – all made by our friendly neighborhood developer-slash-social-media-guru, Mark Zuckerberg.
This app allows you to share real-time text in an open forum (sounds familiar, right?). With over 100 million members signing up within the first few days of launch, Threads became the fastest – growing app of all time.
The activation portion is just as familiar: You first begin by logging in to your Instagram account. No Instagram account? No Threads for you! Your username and verification check mark will be carried over for an omni-channel experience. While it isn’t automatic, there is an option to re-add everyone you follow on Instagram to Threads. You have the option to customize your interests all over again. Consider it a fresh start in a similar environment.
THREADS VS TWITTER
So why bother having Threads when you already have Twitter? There are key differentiating aspects to this new app that sets it apart.
To begin, Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, shared a multitude of hidden gems in the Thread app. For instance, you can choose who can reply to your post, which application shortcuts to include, and who you’d like to follow but exclude from your feed, similar to the mute feature on Instagram. He explained further:
Post by @mosseriView on Threads
Unlike Twitter, Meta has limited its definition of a public forum. Zuckerberg had directed his engineering teams to effectively cut political content out of user- feeds altogether in an attempt to create a “happier user experience.”
Rumor has it that there’s over 326 million active monthly users on twitter. We say rumor because back in 2017, news broke that Twitter had been over-reporting its user count. They subsequently stopped regularly disclosing how many installs were active. To date, Threads has captured over 1 million new users a day, breaking records and reaching users who may not be active on Twitter.
Just a week prior to Threads’ launch, Twitter CEO Elon Musk announced the temporary cap on the number of tweets that non-paying users could view each day. That’s right – Twitter is not only scraping data but monetizing basic use of its services. If Threads follows Twitters blueprint, we’re guessing monetization efforts are next to come.
THREE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THREADS
- A new platform means a new opportunity for community management. Creating dialogue in a new forum is the new meet-and-greet for you and your business.
- If you’re used to boosting posts, we believe that boosting Threads posts will be just as easy. No mention of advertising opportunities has been announced (considering the Meta team is still fixing in-feed bugs, we’re not surprised), but we believe it to be the next step for Meta.
- Just like the marketing rule of 7, brand awareness will never go out of style. Building trust with your audience on several platforms is the recipe for success in your marketing plan.
THE START TO THREADS DOWNFALL
With anything new, it’s important to keep a cautious eye on immediate responses and long-term goals for these social platforms.
In its first week, Threads has already been blocked in the European Union, and the conversation of data privacy has already made waves across the United States.
Along with its stability, the app is in question for its financial woes. Laying off 12% of its workforce, Meta has cut costs for “low priority” projects and subsequently reduced hiring rates, says Zuckerberg. Adding more of an emphasis to Metaverse, we might be making posts in a virtual reality.
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Because the world and social media habits are constantly changing, Pathfinders is here to help you stay ahead of the curve. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you set and achieve your business goals.
ABOUT PATHFINDERS
Pathfinders is known for its expertise in financial services, social media marketing, and award-winning, multichannel campaigns. We take pride in creating innovative approaches to branding and advertising that lead clients like PayPal, Fifth Third Bank, and Bread Financial to sustained growth.