Threads and Twitter stand out as powerhouses in their own right. While they share common ground in the realm of social media, each platform possesses unique attributes that can elevate the visibility and impact of small businesses in distinct ways. We’ll delve into their similarities and differences, unveiling the secret ingredients that can help your brand thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of online marketing.
Twitter, now known as X, is a prominent social media platform founded in 2006. Now, with 353.9 million active users, it is a microblogging site where users can share short messages called “tweets.” With a character limit set at 280, it has become a powerful tool for communication, news dissemination, and interaction among individuals, businesses, and public figures.
As part of Instagram, Meta launched Threads on the 5th of July of 2023. Threads is, by far, the fastest-growing social media as it peaked at 49 million users shortly after being launched. However, by July 22nd, it had fallen to 12 million active users. Users can publish threads, respond to comments, and follow other accounts. Threads and responses can be short texts (500 characters), links, images, videos, and any mix. Additionally, others can follow you to view your discussions and replies from your profile and their feeds.
Sharing text-based posts is the main focus of Threads and Twitter/X. You can include images, animated GIFs, and videos in your tweet or thread. To clarify your points, you can chain several posts at once. By following people, you can fill your home screen with posts. Both networks have built-in translation capabilities that make browsing posts in various languages simple. By clicking the heart icon next to each post, you can “like” or “favorite” postings from other users and your own. Additionally, you can “repost” or “retweet” posts you and other users made. Thread is currently considered Twitter’s most formidable competitor.
Demographics
52.9% of Twitter/X users are between the ages of 25 and 49. In terms of gender, 62.9% of users are male, and 37.1% of users are female.
68% of Threads users are males, and 32% are females. Most male users (28%) are between the ages of 25 to 33. 5% of females are between the ages 18 to 25
Twitter/X – Threads and Marketing
Twitter/X is a potent marketing tool, empowering businesses to engage with their audience effectively. By strategically tweeting content and utilizing hashtags, brands can categorize their messages and foster conversations around campaigns. The platform’s real-time nature enables direct customer interaction, enhancing customer service and loyalty. Trend utilization and promoted tweets allow businesses to align with ongoing discussions and extend their reach through targeted advertising. Moreover, Twitter/X’s analytics tools offer insights into engagement metrics, aiding businesses in refining their marketing strategies for optimal results. 67% of B2B businesses use Twitter/X as their marketing tool. Research indicated that 50% of B2C companies utilize Twitter/X for their operations.
With “kindness” and “friendliness” being key goals of this app, businesses are now activating their accounts on Threads. Even though there is still no ad space on Threads, the app is still developing, and marketers expect marketing tools that will enhance businesses. For now, Threads is an app to keep an eye on. Growth is expected, so businesses must keep pace and be on the lookout for new updates.
Twitter/X is ideal for
- Increasing profits
- Boosting website traffic
- Assisting customers
- Cultivating brand recognition
- Generating leads
Strengths: Reaches diverse audience segments, fast publishing, fosters interactive conversations, and showcases brand personality.
Weaknesses: Limited character count, challenges handling negative feedback, constrained demographic reach, and potential high ad costs.
Read our selected list of Tricks and Tips for Twitter Marketing
Threads is ideal for
- Assisting customers
- Cultivating brand recognition
Strengths: Due to recent changes, Twitter users are looking for alternatives. Threads is in a unique position to benefit from this movement and increase its user base.
Weaknesses: The platform is missing features that are common to Twitter.
It’s currently too early to say whether Threads will have a beneficial or bad impact on many marketing domains, despite the fact that it has the ability to change the digital marketing environment.
Social media managers and brands must test the platform to determine its utility.
Top 10 ways to make Twitter/X work for you
- Create & Optimize Profile
Craft a compelling profile bio and use a recognizable profile picture and cover photo that aligns with your brand identity. Add your website’s URL and your business’s location. - Visual Content
Twitter/X has a 280-character limit; add visually appealing images, GIFs, and videos to capture audience attention and make your tweets stand out. Visuals can capture attention in a scrolling feed, increasing engagement rates than text-only posts. - Using Threads to Engage
Use tweet threads to tell a cohesive story, share insights, or guide users through a step-by-step process. This encourages users to engage with multiple connected tweets. A Twitter/X thread is an opportunity to expand your post. - Hashtags
Did you know hashtags were first created on Twitter/X before any other social media platform? Today, hashtags are an invaluable tool for searching and boosting engagement. Implement relevant hashtags in your tweets to increase your content’s discoverability and tap into trending discussions. The right keyword hashtags will make your Twitter profile more discoverable on search engines. Use hashtags that align with your brand to discover competitors and get visibility. You can also create your unique branded hashtags. - Post Multiple Times Per Day
Unlike Facebook and Instagram, Twitter/X maintains a strong emphasis on chronological order. Due to the short lifespan of tweets, consistent updates are vital to remain relevant. Remember that consistency is key, but avoiding flooding your followers’ feeds with repetitive or unremarkable content is equally important. - Customer Service
Respond promptly to comments, messages, and mentions to foster direct interactions. Customer service is often expected on Twitter/X. Many users turn to Twitter/X to seek assistance, ask questions, or express concerns directly to brands and companies. Timely and responsive customer service can contribute to a positive brand image, build customer loyalty, and address issues publicly and transparently. - Automate
Use scheduling tools to automate tweets, ensuring consistent content delivery even during non-working hours. Rather than posting your tweets manually, take advantage of automation tools. You can also use the best times to post to peak Twitter/X’s engagement. - Twitter Communities
Participate in or create Twitter/X communities by engaging in discussions, retweeting valuable content, and connecting with users who share common interests. You can start or join groups of similar accounts and curate content that aligns with common interests.
- Twitter/X Spaces (Live Audio Chat Room)
Host live audio conversations on Twitter/X Spaces to engage your audience in real-time discussions, Q&A sessions, or informative talks. This feature lets your brand showcase its expertise while bringing together enthusiasts and potential followers/customers in a single location. Spaces offer a more relaxed atmosphere compared to other streaming platforms. - Create an Ad Campaign
Utilize Twitter/X Ads to run targeted campaigns, reaching specific demographics, interests, and locations for increased visibility. You can either promote your business’s account or individual tweets. Reach the right people and monitor which ad campaign works best.
Ways to make Threads work for you
- Set Up Your Threads Profile:
Begin by downloading the Threads app and logging in with your Instagram account. Import your Instagram profile picture for consistency and make your Threads account public to increase visibility. Don’t forget to follow relevant accounts to build connections.
- Engage with Your Audience:
Active engagement is key on Threads. Cross-promote your posts with Instagram for wider reach. Post relevant content, and actively participate in discussions. Respond to comments and join discussions to establish your authority. - Stay Updated:
Meta has future plans for Threads – this includes hashtags and ads. Stay informed, adapt your strategy, and monitor platform developments to remain competitive and maximize your presence.
Sources
- https://www.oberlo.com/blog/Twitter/-statistics#:~:text=Summary%3A https://blog.hootsuite.com/social-media-demographics/#Facebook_demographics
- https://blog.hootsuite.com/twitter-marketing/
