How to Use Instagram Threads for Business: 7 Easy Tips

Launched in July 2023, Instagram Threads is the new social media platform that has taken the industry by storm. Unless you’re living under a rock, chances are you have heard of this new launch by Meta.

While there is always a buzz around the launch of new social media platforms, not all are worth your while.

So, how can you determine whether Instagram Threads is a potential marketing channel that you should consider?

Well, the simplest way is to see the interest it has garnered and its user base, which I’ll cover in this post.

This article will show you how to use Instagram Threads for business to enhance your social media strategy and connect more effectively with your audience.

But first, let’s understand what all the buzz is about.

Understanding Instagram Threads

The app was launched to take on Twitter and give users another text-based app for one-on-one conversations.

And with Twitter facing many challenges since Elon Musk bought the platform, Instagram Threads offers a great alternative. The audience interest in the platform is clearly visible if you check its usage stats.

With 100 million sign-ups within 5 days since its launch, Instagram Threads now holds the record for the fastest online platform to reach 100 million sign-ups, outpacing OpenAI's ChatGPT. 

Image via Statista

For the longest time, the industry has been dominated by giants like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Instagram Threads’ growing popularity makes it a viable channel for marketers who want a fresh start to build an audience on a platform that’s not yet oversaturated with content.

Just like Twitter, Instagram Threads is a microblogging platform for sharing text and joining public conversations. 

   Image via Instagram

However, the platform has its own unique features to encourage marketers to use Instagram Threads for business. These include:

• Text updates: Instagram Threads allows you to post short text updates with a character limit of 500. The text updates can include photos, videos up to 5 minutes in length, and external links.
  
  
• Following feed: Instagram Threads gives users a dedicated feed where they can follow specific creators and accounts. By focusing on specific accounts, brands can connect with customers in a meaningful way. 

• Focused conversations: The app provides a noise-free environment with customizable controls. You can choose who can mention you or reply to your Threads, and filter out unwanted content.

Image via Instagram

• Integration with Instagram: Your profile information on Instagram will automatically update on Threads when you create an account. Additionally, your Instagram followers will be informed to follow you on Threads when they join the platform. This will make it easier for you to build a strong business profile on Instagram.

7 ways to use Instagram Threads for marketing

Here are 7 pro tips to Instagram Threads for business marketing purposes.

1. Use time-limited offers to spur engagement

Using offers and discounts to prospects to drive more purchases is a great way to use Instagram Threads for business. Customers follow their favorite brands on social media to receive such updates.

As such, sharing exclusive promotions on your Threads account is an effective way to spur engagement and drive conversions.

To get people to act quickly, create time-limited offers for your audience. For example, you can have a flash sale for 48 hours where users receive up to 50% off on selected products.

2. Use visual content to boost engagement rates

While Instagram Threads is a text-based app, don't be afraid to use visuals in your posts. Visuals like images and videos help you present complex information in a simple manner to make it easily digestible for your audience.

In the example below, Netflix uses a trending meme to spur engagement. 

Image via Instagram Threads

With declining attention spans, using visuals is an effective way to get people to engage with your posts. 

Luckily, creating captivating visuals for Instagram Threads is neither difficult nor expensive. There are many free apps you can use to create and edit your visual content.

You can also use AI-text-video-generators to create videos from your text updates, saving time and money. 

These measures will keep your Instagram Threads profile vibrant, helping you attract new followers and boost engagement rates.

3. Host a contest to generate interest in your brand

Another way to generate interest in your brand on Instagram Threads is by hosting a contest. Contests allow you to identify your most engaged followers and reward them for consistently engaging with your brand. 

In the example below, Storm has a contest that gives participants the chance to win a watch. The contest instructions are simple to give everyone a chance to participate.

Image via Instagram Threads

There are several social media marketing tools that you can use to create and run contests and manage other aspects of social media marketing. Check out this list of tools by Attrock to get started.

Some contest ideas you can implement to generate interest in your brand include:

• Caption contest: Share an image and have users come up with witty and relevant captions. The caption with the most likes and shares wins. 

• Q & A contest: Post a series of questions about your brand on your Instagram Threads account. Participants need to reply to the questions correctly within the thread and use your company’s branded hashtag to stand a chance to win.

• Photo challenge: Provide a theme for the challenge and have users create posts showcasing relevant photos. Participants should tag your brand and use your hashtag to be considered for the reward.

These initiatives will generate a buzz around your brand, boost engagement, and foster a sense of community on the platform. 

4. Cross-promote content to other social media channels

To grow your presence on Instagram Threads, you should promote your content on other channels. For instance, you can share links to your threads on other platforms where your brand is popular, such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. 

This will help you drive more traffic to your Instagram Threads account and boost engagement. It will also help people who are following you on other platforms to connect with you on Instagram Threads and stay updated on your exclusive content. 

5. Collaborate with Influencers

One of the most effective ways for brands to connect with their target audience is through influencer marketing. Influencers have established connections with their followers and can help brands reach their target audience. 

To reach and engage with your target audience on Instagram Threads, identify influencers who have a similar audience and align with your brand.

Since the platform focuses on written content, you can influencers to share in-depth reviews of your products. They can also include links in their product reviews, along with unique discount codes, to encourage prospects to make a purchase right away. 

You can also ask influencers to host Q&A sessions to educate their followers about your products.

6. Use polls and surveys to understand your audience

Polls and surveys are ideal for collecting feedback from your customers and learning about their needs. The information you collect from the surveys will help you improve your products and make your social media marketing efforts more targeted.

When you build a poll, make sure you keep it short and simple, making it easy for people to answer. Also, ensure the questions are relevant to your audience to get more responses.

You can then analyze the results of your polls and surveys to understand your audience better. Use your customer service apps to figure out if there are any other changes needed to your approach too. Based on these insights, change your strategy and improve the customer experience.

7. Share exclusive content to build excitement

Sharing exclusive content is another great way to use Instagram Threads for business and marketing purposes. Offer previews of upcoming products, behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with team personnel, among other things.

Sharing exclusive content is a great way to make your audience feel like they are a part of the community. This will encourage them to interact with your content, boosting engagement rates. 

Final thoughts

Instagram Threads, though new, is a powerful social media platform with great potential. There’s loads of social media tactics that you can use to gain leverage on the platform, from sharing exclusive content to creating polls and surveys. 

If you play your cards right and implement the strategies mentioned above, you could well be on your way to growing your influence on the platform. A final note—make sure you test the outcomes of each strategy and double down on those that drive the best results. Good luck!