Instagram Threads is a new standalone app developed by Instagram.
It allows you to engage and share in public conversations in a very similar way to X, formerly know as Twitter.
For small businesses, Instagram is and should be a vital marketing tool, and Instagram Threads is a new aspect of it which should not be overlooked.
In this article, we will explore 7 ways you can use Instagram Threads to grow your small business, sharing valuable tips and insights on how Threads can take your small business to new levels.
1. Build Community Engagement
When it comes to building community engagement, there is no better platform than Instagram Threads. This platform allows businesses to create an intimate community of their most loyal customers, which builds a stronger sense of community than any other platform.
Spark Conversations
Spark conversation on Threads by posting engaging (even controversial!) content that encourages engagement.
Try posting questions or thought-provoking statements to get customers to interact with your posts. An easy way to do this is by posting a sneak peek of a new product or sharing a behind-the-scenes photo and asking your followers what exciting things they think are happening at your company.
Encourage Engagement
Engagement on Threads is about more than just likes and comments on your posts.
Encourage interaction on Threads by prompting followers to not only interact on your posts but also with other followers. You can do this by hosting virtual events or host challenges like a photo contest and asking your followers to post their entries on Threads.
Update Regularly
Keep your community engaged by regularly posting. You can do this in the form of daily updates or behind-the-scenes candid shots, this helps to keep your followers locked in on your brand and makes them feel like they are on the journey as your business grows.
2. Showcase Behind-the-Scenes Content
Behind-the-scenes content can be a very powerful tool to build trust with your followers and make your brand feel more ‘human’. Behind-the-scene content gives the customer a glimpse into the inner workings of your business and can be a valuable tool to show your followers the effort and dedication that goes into your business.
Allowing customers to see what happens in the background leads to brand trust and loyalty. A study by Edelman found that 81% of consumers said that they need to trust a brand to do what is right, and showcasing behind-the-scenes content is a powerful way to build that trust .
Here are 3 simple ideas to create behind-the-scenes content:
- Showcase the process: Give your followers a glimpse into how products are made/packaged/sourced etc. If you provide a service, give customers some insight into what work gets done in the background to provide the ultimate service.
- Share challenges and achievements: Make your brand relatable by sharing not just happy milestones but also hurdles. Sharing these moments will inspire your followers and help you build a stronger connection with them.
- Show off your team: Show some love for your team, they are the core of your business and customers love to put a face to the brand. Share team achievements and stories to build community between your brand & team and customers.
Threads stands out in this regard because it seems far more conversational and off-the-cuff than a full production on Instagram or thought-out post.
3. Conduct Q&A Sessions
Instagram Threads is the perfect platform to engage customers in Q&A sessions. Q&A sessions are an effective way to boost customer satisfaction by providing real-time engagement and personalized responses.
Benefits of Q&A Sessions on Instagram Threads
Real-Time Engagement
Threads enables businesses to interact with their followers in real-time, which means concerns and enquiries can be handled promptly and provides a direct interaction between the customer and business.
Personalized Responses
A study done by Gartner shows that personalized responses can lead to a 16% increase in customer retention rates. This is key to maintaining and growing your small business. Threads enable you to provide personalized responses to each question, ensuring you interact in a personal way with each individual customer, leading to an improved customer experience.
Build Trust and Transparency
Q&A sessions give you the opportunity to address customer concerns directly, fostering trust and transparency. This direct interaction can help you understand your customers better and tailor your product or services to meet customer needs.
How to Structure & Promote Q&A Threads Effectively
- Plan Your Q&A Session: Choose a topic that is relevant and interesting to your audience. This could be a new product launch, or a general Q&A where customers can ask any questions they have about your business.
- Promote Your Q&A Session: Use your main Instagram account and other social media platforms to promote your Q&A session. Let your audience know when it will take place and what they can expect.
- Engage During the Q&A Session: Make sure to engage with your audience during the Q&A. Respond to questions, provide detailed answers, and interact with your audience and build excitement.
- Follow Up After the Q&A Session: After the Q&A session, post a recap of the session on your main Instagram account. This allows those who missed the session to catch up and provides valuable content for your followers.
4. Run Exclusive Promotions and Discounts
Running exclusive promotions or sharing discounts on Threads can be a powerful strategy to drive sales and get your followers to engage. Here are some strategies you can use:
- Exclusive Offers: Create offers that are exclusive to your Threads followers. Use discount codes, early access to a new product, or special prices to make your Thread followers feel special by making them feel like they are part of this exclusive offer.
- Limited Time Offers: Generate a sense of urgency by offering time-limited promotions. Consider having flash sales lasting a few hours or special discounts valid for just a day. The goal is to make your followers feel compelled to act quickly or risk missing out.
- Countdown Feature: Make use of the countdown feature in Threads to build up excitement for any upcoming launches or sales.
- Engage, Engage, Engage!: Engagement with your followers is vital! Use Threads to ask questions like what products they’d like to see on sale, or run polls to let them choose the next discount offer.
- Clear Call to Action (CTA): Ensure that your promotional posts have clear CTAs. Clear CTA can lead to improved customer purchases by using simple CTA’s like “Swipe up to shop now.”
5. Share User-Generated Content (UGC)
User-Generated Content (UGC) is a form of marketing that has been proven to be very successful. According to a study by Nielsen, 92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family over traditional advertising. By using Instagram Threads to share UGC, you can dramatically increase your brand loyalty and brand appeal.
Here are a few ways you can encourage customers to share content and feature it in Threads:
- Encourage Reviews and Ratings: Ask your customers to review your products or services. You can share these customer experiences on your Threads to show potential customers the value of your offerings.
- Run Contests and Giveaways: Create contests or giveaways that will prompt your followers to create content related to your brand to stand a chance to win a prize. This is an easy way to generate UGV and boosts your page engagement and visibility.
- Share Customer Stories: Share stories or experiences shared by your customers. This adds a personal touch and shows potential customers the real-world impact of your product/service.
- Acknowledge and Share: When a customer tags your brand in a post, acknowledge it and consider sharing it on your Threads. This will show customers that you appreciate their engagement and will encourage others to share their own experiences.
6. Collaborate with Influencers or Partners
Working with influencers or partners can really boost your presence on Instagram Threads.
Influencer marketing can deliver 11 times higher ROI than traditional forms of digital marketing. Additionally, influencer partnerships can increase brand engagement by up to 57%.
Here are some creative ways to collaborate with influencers:
- Product Reviews: Get influencers to give their take on your products on their Threads. It’s a great way to showcase your products and build trust with their followers.
- Takeovers: Let influencers take charge of your Threads for a day. They can share their experiences with your products, answer questions, and interact with your audience in a special and personal way.
- Behind-the-Scenes Access: Give influencers an insider look at your business. This can lead to exciting content for their Threads and give their followers a unique glimpse into your brand.
- Collaborative Content Creation: Partner with influencers to create cool content for your Threads. Content like tutorials, Q&As, or lifestyle posts featuring your products work well!
- Affiliate Marketing: Consider setting up an affiliate marketing program so influencers earn a commission for every sale they drive. It’s a great way to motivate them to share your products with their followers.
Key examples of successful influencer marketing are Daniel Wellington and Gymshark.
Daniel Wellington gifted influencers with some of their watches and jewelry and asked them to post pictures of themselves wearing their products, plus gave influencers a unique discount code to share with their followers. This campaign was hugely successful and played a significant role in Daniel Wellington becoming a multi-million dollar company.
Gymshark, a fitness apparel brand, has made a success out of influencer marketing by forming long-term partnerships with fitness influencers. These influencers share Gymshark’s products and their insights on the brand values and products with their followers. This alone has helped Gymshark grow into one of the most well-known brands internationally within the fitness industry.
7. Provide Sneak Peeks and Product Launches
Using Instagram Threads to announce product launches and give followers sneak peeks of exciting things to come, is an excellent way to create excitement and anticipation among your followers.
You can do this effectively by running teaser campaigns. Share cryptic images or a video that gives them a hint of what’s to come. This will keep your followers interested, the curiosity and guessing game will keep them locked in on your account!
Another way to build excitement among your followers is to offer exclusive previews of your products to your Threads followers. The idea of an exclusive preview only for the loyal Thread followers will make them feel special and will lead to a better possibility of them purchasing the product once it’s launched.
Lastly, consider hosting a product demonstration for your Instagram Threads followers. One, they will love the exclusive invite. Two, this gives them the chance to get a look & feel of the product and you can go into detail about the product and its benefits, which could ultimately lead to increased sales.
Conclusion
We live in a world where online marketing has surged and taken over, yet it’s a basic human instinct to gravitate towards authentic, personalized services, products and brands.
That is what makes Instagram Threads the perfect platform if you are looking to grow your small business.
Not only can you use this platform as the ultimate interactive online marketing tool, but you can share your business in an intimate, personal and authentic way, by directly interacting with your closest followers and giving them an insight into what makes your small business truly special!
Use these tips to harness the power of Instagram Threads and take your small business to new heights. Just watch as your engagement, customer loyalty and sales grow with the help of Threads!
Share your success stories and insights with us—we’d love to hear how Threads has helped your business thrive!
