If you use Instagram, you’ve probably heard of Instagram Threads, the new application that lets you share posts in text format. As an artist, this new network is a great opportunity to create proximity with your audience and promote your music.
In this article, we introduce you to Instagram Threads and how you can use it to develop your musical project.
1. What is Instagram Threads?
Threads is an application launched by Instagram, which is part of the Meta group (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp). It’s a site that focuses on written exchanges, but you can also share images and videos. It works similarly to X, formerly known as Twitter.
Threads launched in July 2023 in over 100 countries. In the 3 days following the launch, the application was downloaded 2.6 million times. Worldwide, Threads has 160 million users.
2. Why use Threads to complement Instagram?
While Instagram is primarily focused on photos and videos, Threads focuses on text. This channel can therefore complement Instagram, especially for users who write increasingly elaborate texts in Instagram captions.
If you already have Instagram, here are several good reasons to use the Threads app:
- Interact with your followers in a different way: when you start on Threads, you’re not starting from scratch. You keep your Instagram followers who are also registered on Threads, which gives you the opportunity to interact with them in a new way.
- Share more regularly: the text format allows you to share content more spontaneously, without having to use a photo or video to illustrate each publication.
- Engage in conversation more easily: compared to Instagram, Threads publications encourage your followers to comment more, rather than simply liking your posts.
- Feed your Instagram account: your Threads publications can easily be shared in your Instagram stories. Publishing Threads posts is therefore a good way of staying present in stories, without duplicating effort.
- Extend your reach: by posting on Threads, you maximize your chances of your content being seen by your followers, in addition to Instagram posts. This can be particularly relevant when you’re in the middle of promoting a release or concert date.
3. How can you use Threads to promote your music?
Threads is easy to sign up for via your Instagram account. Once you’ve signed up, take some time to familiarize yourself with the app and browse the posts of the Instagram accounts you follow.
When you’re just starting out, you can test different types of posts to see what makes your followers respond and adjust your strategy accordingly. Even more than other platforms, think of Threads as a two-way channel. Try to encourage reactions as much as possible: this will enable you to use it as a place for conversation, not just as a means of publishing your news.
Here are some ideas for using Threads as an independent artist:
3.1 Interact with your audience
By focusing on text, Threads encourages more discussion than Instagram. The format and various features of the publications tend to generate more interaction.
We share a few ways you can use Threads to start a conversation with your fans:
- Organize a Q&A session
- Find out what they think of your latest track, music video, or current project
- Launch a poll to find out their preferences
- Use GIFs to communicate with humor and get reactions
3.2 Promoting your music
Threads shouldn’t just be used as a means of promotion—of course, you can also post your own news. Try to keep a balance between posts that encourage conversation and those with a promotional purpose.
A major advantage of Threads is that you can include links directly in posts. So, unlike Instagram, users don’t have to search for the link in your bio or story to access external content. This is particularly useful if you want to share the link to a streaming platform or to a music video.
As on other social networks, you can develop storytelling around your news: new songs, music videos, concert dates, etc. For example, you can create a conversation thread made up of several short messages, which will create engagement.
Get your music heard by labels, radio stations, playlists, and music professionals ⬇️
3.3 Develop your network with music industry professionals
Threads represents an additional opportunity to network with music industry professionals, such as media outlets, radio stations, and labels.
To send your tracks, it’s best to use a platform like Groover, which guarantees feedback. But to complement these efforts, you can follow music professionals to interact with them without any promotional purpose. Through these exchanges, you’ll create a bond that may encourage them to take an interest in your project.
You can also use Threads to communicate with other artists for advice, or to offer collaborations. Here again, regular, non-promotional exchanges will help you develop new relationships naturally.
3.4 Sharing voice notes
Voice messages are one of the new ways of communicating on messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Messenger. This mode of communication is generally found on private channels, and relatively little on social networks. Threads is innovative in this respect, offering users publications in audio format.
You can use this format to share your news, ask your audience questions, tell an anecdote, preview a track, and more. This format has the advantage of being spontaneous and creating a close bond with your subscribers. Audio messages are transcribed into text format, extending their reach.
3.5 Sharing your daily life
On Threads, spontaneity is paramount, and you can post several times a day. You can share behind-the-scenes information about your project: photos of your work, and details of your current projects. You can also share other aspects of your daily life not directly related to music: your latest hobbies, your travels, etc.
Of course, find a tone and rhythm of publication that suits you. You can use Threads to try out new things, and then republish on other networks the posts that worked best.
4. What are the differences between Threads and X (formerly Twitter)?
When you first come across the Threads application, the resemblance to X (ex-Twitter) is striking. However, there are several major differences:
- Character limit: on Threads, each message is limited to 500 characters, unlike X and its 280 characters. If you want to go beyond this limit, you can break down your publication into several posts within the same thread.
- Hashtags: Threads applies a limit of one tag per post, to categorize content precisely and avoid spam. X, on the other hand, allows you to include as many hashtags as you like, within the character limit.
- Link with Instagram: the link with Instagram allows you to benefit from built-in followers without having to start from scratch. Once you’ve got the 2 apps, you can run them together, unlike X, which is a stand-alone app.
- More advanced moderation: Instagram’s official website mentions “Leave the negative behind” on Threads. The same features as Instagram are accessible: account blocking and restriction, masked words, reporting, private accounts, etc. The app also puts an emphasis on fact-checking, which stands out from the controversies surrounding hate messages and false information on X.
- Opening up to other social networks: Instagram has announced that Threads will soon be compatible with ActivityPub, an open social networking protocol created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). This means that, eventually, Threads publications will be available through other social networks compatible with the same standard.
While X tends to be used less and less, Threads represents a good alternative for interacting with your audience. The link with Instagram means you can start from an existing base and communicate with your followers across both applications.
The launch of Threads is still relatively recent—by signing up, you can benefit from increased visibility before the platform becomes more competitive. If you’re on Threads, come and chat with us on the @groover.music account!
-Translated by Kole Wright-
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Promote your music 👇
