How To Use Threads for Business, The New App by Facebook

Yesterday Facebook launched its latest app, Threads. This app is essentially a messaging app but rather than text being the main form of communication, Threads uses photos and videos as their main form of communication.

Obviously, as a chat marketing fairy, a new messaging app is music to my ears.

About a million and one ideas came flooding into my head and so I had to download it straight away so I can get to know how it functions and see if my ideas can be used.

I will keep updating this post as I am testing this new app but here are a few ideas I have so far:

Threads group similar to Facebook Groups?

Threads allow you to set up groups so you can filter 'close friends' into groups. A great way to use this feature would be to offer exclusive content to this group of people. To me, this seems to be the same concept as Facebook groups but in a completely different format... great news for us!

Threads don't have a count of followers, likes or shares, it's purely about sharing content.

You might be thinking why would you ever spend time creating content for this app but offering people access to an exclusive group will encourage your audience to not only follow you but to engage more with your Instagram feed.

You don't want to just add all followers into your exclusive Threads group because you're not incentivising followers to engage with your feed. Download an app that will tell you who your top followers are. Invite these followers to your Threads group and start providing exclusive and highly valuable content.

Here's a step-by-step how you can start implementing this strategy today:

Step 1 - Download the Threads app

Of course, the first step is to download the threads app. You can download the app by clicking here.

Step 2 - Link your Instagram account

When you first open the Threads app, it will ask you to connect to your Instagram account. if you run several Instagram accounts, make sure to click "switch accounts" at the bottom of the page.

I made this mistake and had to delete the app and start again... I was far too excited haha.

Step 3 - Pick who you want to add to Threads

You will be asked to pick people to add to your Threads account. You can only pick accounts that are in your 'close friends' list on your Instagram account. Don't worry too much about this for now as you can add people later on.

For now, as long as you have 1 account you can add, you can continue setting up your Threads account.

Step 4 - Turn notifications on or skip

Remember, those that you have chosen to add to your Threads account will also be able to send messages to you. It's up to you whether you want to receive push notifications for these or turn them off.

Step 5 - Arrange the people you message the most

The great thing about Threads is that you can customise your Threads homepage so you can prioritise people and groups. This will make it easier for you to quickly send messages to the most important people on your list.

Step 6 - Choose whether to turn on auto-status

I absolutely love this feature which automatically sets your status based on your activity. You can also create custom statuses at a later stage but this feature is pretty cool to add a bit of a personal touch to your Threads profile.

Some of the auto-statuses include: on the move, low battery, out to eat, in the wild, on the clock and more... pretty cool right?!

Step 7 - Change your Threads theme

If you prefer a brighter, darker or even greenish display, you can edit the theme colours of your Threads account here. I went with the daylight theme of course.

Step 8 - Your Threads account will now be set up

You will get a cute congratulations message to confirm your new Threads account has now been set up. This is not the end of the steps though as we need to add people and create a new group.

Step 9 - Add followers to your 'close friends' list on Instagram

Go back to your Instagram account and create a new post announcing you have started a new Threads profile and that you will be sharing exclusive content on there for your most loyal followers.

Explain that to be added to the group, followers need to really engage with your feed by offering their own tips, asking questions, providing feedback etc.

Also explain that when you see a follower become a loyal follower, you will follow them back, add them to your 'close friends' list and invite them to join you in your Threads group.

Keep reminding followers of this offer and even using your Stories to give teasers of the content your sharing to your Threads group.

Step 10 - Create a Threads group

Once you start adding people to your Threads account, you can create a group. You can do this by clicking home > menu > create group.

Here are some screenshots to help you though.

Step 11 - Content Creation

You don't have to spend a lot of time on the content you provide to your new Threads group. Sometimes the most valuable content is what you do on a day-to-day basis. For example, as a marketing coach, sharing what changes I am making to my Facebook ads account will be extremely valuable to my followers.

You can also use it to offer exclusive deals and even organise meet-ups or other ways to be involved with your brand.

How will you use Threads?

We're only on Day 1 so it'll be interesting to see how Threads develops but I am always a fan of using new apps first. I was straight onto Messenger and it ended up generating 7 figures in under a year so it is definitely worthwhile trying your ideas and seeing where it takes you.

I would love to hear what you think of Threads and whether you think it'll be useful for businesses and personal brands?