How quickly should you be jumping on the Threads bandwagon?

But first, what is Threads?

Earlier this week, Meta launched their new social media app – Threads – in over 100 countries. If you’re like us, you may be wondering what this app (and subsequent fuss) is all about.

Connected through your Instagram account, users are able to create text-based posts of up to 500 characters per post and can include links, photos and videos up to five minutes long.?

Users are also able to engage with other users ‘threads’ so to speak - commenting, liking and resharing.

Essentially, it feels like merging the offerings of Instagram and Twitter – almost as if the two had a child together!?

But with the world (minus the European Union – we will touch on that later) all rushing to instantly start using this app, it does make us wonder; how quickly should you be jumping on the Threads bandwagon? Or any new social media app or platform, for that matter.?

The urgency to jump on board?

We’re all aware that joining any new social media app or platform can help long-term performance on socials. People actively and eagerly jumping on board to use the app is how each platform gets traction, and the teams behind them can improve over time and develop additional features and use cases.?

But when it comes to Threads, it’s almost as if people are assuming we’re still back in the early days of YouTube, Instagram or even TikTok, and not necessarily their launch years, but the points in time that solidified their early users as big-time influencers.?

One crucial difference, however, is that when we initially joined those platforms, there were no predetermined expectations.?

Yes, we all wanted to reach an audience, that’s a given, but that wasn’t the primary drive.?

These platforms, in their infancy, were fundamentally creator-led, almost bootstrap-like in nature.?

Now, with everyone flocking to Threads with the same objective – getting in early to build a following – we must ask: Can it still deliver the desired results, or does it risk turning into an environment that lacks authenticity??

Because, after all, that’s how these previous platforms started out. They were authentic, organic and with no pre-conceived ideas about generating millions of dollars and followers out of them (albeit this is what has happened with them over time, but that’s the point – it didn’t just happen overnight!).?

The battle of microblogs: Twitter vs Threads?

We’re sure the key question on everyone’s lips is: ‘But isn’t Threads just another version of Twitter?’.?

It has certainly crossed our minds!

We’re very curious to see whether the launch of Threads spells genuine trouble for Twitter’s Elon Musk, or if it merely fails to live up to the hype.?

As we’ve touched on above, Threads, in essence, offers an experience akin to Twitter, a platform that provides users with the opportunity to share their thoughts, ideas, and perspectives in a concise, precise manner. They both share similar features, including the ability to like and retweet posts and follow other users.?

However, initial research and discussions with colleagues suggest there’s a growing sentiment that Threads may hold the upper hand in the microblogging landscape due to its streamlined user experience.?

We speculate that one factor that has fueled this sentiment is the perceived deterioration of Twitter’s usability since Musk took over. Users report that the platform has become increasingly clunky and less user-friendly. Our blog 3 key lessons from Elon Musk’s Twitter take-over dives into this more.?

As these two platforms continue their battle for dominance, we’ll be keeping a close eye on developments.

Should you jump on the bandwagon?

Before you decide to jump on the bandwagon of Threads, remember: just because something is new doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the right fit for your business.?

Indeed, there is immense value in adopting a test-and-learn approach when considering new social media apps and platforms. The only foolproof way to determine if an application is a suitable match for your business goals and strategy is to try it, experiment with its features, and draw conclusions from your experiences.?

However, it’s crucial not to let the excitement and allure of the new overshadow critical business considerations. Before jumping headfirst into Threads, take a moment to evaluate your target audience against the user base of Threads. Is there an overlap? Is your audience likely to engage with your content on this new platform??

Evaluating your business’s capacity is also crucial. You only have so many hours and resources available.?

Yes, new platforms can be exciting, but they also require time, resources, and effort to use effectively. Before you commit, make sure you’re not biting off more than you can chew! The best platform for your business is the one that you can use consistently, genuinely, and efficiently.?

A note on data considerations?

Like any app available in the App Store or Google Play, there is always going to be a disclaimer about privacy and data.?

When we looked into what was mentioned for Threads, it stated that ‘Threads is able to collect a wide range of personal information – health, financials, contacts, browsing and search history, location data, purchases and “sensitive information”’.?

As a result of this, Threads is not yet available in the European Union, which has strict data privacy rules.?

Just another interesting note to think about before jumping on the bandwagon, if you ask us!?

Watch this space?

As well all navigate the buzz around Threads, we feel it will very much be a ‘watch this space’ situation [*queue the popcorn anyone*] as the next few weeks, months, and years unfold.?

What should you take away from all of this? It’s not just about embracing the new, but about ensuring that the new can meaningfully contribute to your business goals.