Rockstar Girlfriends, Latte Makeup And Glazed Donut Nails: How Are Brands Keeping Up With Microtrends on TikTok?

September 7th, 2023 by

We are in the era of microtrends on TikTok

With viral aesthetic trends blowing up and falling out of fashion just as quickly, brands and creators have a very small window within which to make their mark. 

This is where microtrends offer the perfect alternative. 

Despite moving through the socialsphere even faster than a regular trend, their more subdued nature makes them easier to be taken on. Oftentimes, these microtrends will call on partakers to offer makeup or clothing recommendations to emulate the trend. In comparison to bigger, viral trends – which may call upon someone to learn a dance or try out a new editing technique – microtrends take up a lot less time, ensuring users can get their submission in before the ship sets sail. 

But if microtrends on TikTok are merely fleeting, what are their benefits? 

To better understand the impact of microtrends, we must turn to no other than the queen of aesthetics herself, Hailey Bieber. 

When taking to Instagram donning a berry-toned, flushed makeup look in several posts, the season of ‘strawberry girl summer’ was officially declared, attracting 279.8M views to the hashtag #strawberrymakeup. 

microtrends on TikTok: strawberry makeup

Naturally, her 50.3M followers began speculating the consistency of this stand-out look, but it wasn’t until Hailey posted the look featuring a Rhode sticker that they concluded that the “strawberry girl” aesthetic was, in fact, hinting at her skincare line’s pending release of berry-toned products. 

Bieber has since posted a makeup tutorial on TikTok featuring the strawberry glaze peptide lip treatment, while soft launching an upcoming cream blusher line.

@haileybieber

Everday Strawberry Makeup 🍓💋

♬ Echos in My Mind (Lofi) – Muspace Lofi

Hailey’s use of “strawberry girl summer” for the purpose of business is just one of the many examples that have followed other famed aesthetic microtrends on TikTok

But with an endless list of things to try, how can brands ensure that they are authentically keeping up?

How can brands authentically tap into aesthetic microtrends on TikTok?

As previously mentioned, microtrends call upon partakers to list makeup products or fashion items that emulate that particular aesthetic trend. If brands don’t find themselves appearing in these lists, they may feel it necessary to insert themselves into the conversation by launching campaigns or posting content inspired by these microtrends on TikTok.

Take the “cherry cola lips” makeup trend, for example. Inspired by Kylie Jenner, makeup influencers each offered up their own “cherry cola” lip combo, earning the hashtag #cherrycolalips 37.8M views on TikTok. 

The trend has not stopped at influencers, however. Notable makeup brands have since come forward with their offerings of products from their own selected lines.

@nyxcosmetics_uk

Cherry Cola lip is POPPING OFF💥🍒 This is our new fave lip combo, wbyyy🥤 #CherryCola #NYXCosmetics_UK #AffordableBeauty #CrueltyFreeBeauty

♬ original sound – nyxcosmetics_uk

Done in its usual content style – through real time swatches and close ups of each product – NYX’s contribution to this trend is able to read as authentic. By using pre-existing products, rather than launching anything new, the brand sells itself as trendy and aesthetic, proving that its products are worthy of microtrend status. 

Similarly, L’Oreal offered its own take on the “latte makeup” trend rapidly circulating TikTok in recent months. 

@lorealparis

Latte Makeup is the trend of the moment, and we have all you need to recreate it 🥛☕️ #LOrealParis #lattemakeup #makeup #makeuptutorial #beauty #grwm #makeuproutine

♬ THE ONE – I AM WORTH IT

Leaning into tones of copper and brown to create a blown-out, smokey makeup look, the brand created a “latte face” using only L’Oreal products. That’s a major flex in our books! Combining its regular makeup masterclass content with a TikTok microtrend puts L’Oreal at the forefront of trending content and secures its position as a go-to brand for achieving such looks. 

To what extent a brand wishes to partake in microtrends on TikTok, is entirely up to them. As shown above, some opt just for a post or two alluding to their contribution, but there are others that feel it necessary to allow the trend to dictate the creative direction of a campaign. 

REFY beauty’s latest campaign, shot on the Amalfi coast, heavily drew inspiration from the “tomato girl” look which features crisp cottons, linens, romantic silhouettes and pops of red. Honing in on the Mediterranean landscapes and blushed makeup looks, REFY saw huge spikes in engagement and reach across all channels, ultimately making its newly released tinted lip gloss collection a huge success. This is indicative of the power of microtrends on TikTok and how, if approached correctly, they can garner huge online success. 

Current microtrends on TikTok to look out for

Rockstar girlfriend

@h3ll0k1ttyy.69

rockstar girlfriend aesthetic💌 #fashion #rockstargf #fashionvideo #makeup #hair #slay #aesthetic

♬ original sound – miles kanes biggest fan ever

Rat girl summer

@lolaokola

🐀🧀 #ratgirlsummer #rodentenergy #summervibes #summer2023 #weoutside #selfcare

♬ RAT GIRL SUMMER – lola

Coquette core

@eylister

very casual day! 💌 you can shop all my clothes on my motom!! link in bio <3 #ootd #coquette #fashion #inspo #inspiration #fashioninspo #outfitideas #outfitinspo #outfits #cute #style #fyp #viral

♬ original sound – user11750148531

Glazed donut nails

@banobeautysweden

Shop our best “glazed donut pearl chrome” now! 🐚🍩😍🫶🏼 #fyp #pearlnails #glazeddonutnails #glazeddonut #glazednails #nails #nailinspo #nailideas #nailproducts #nailhaul #nailtechlife

♬ original sound – emotionallove

Clean girl aesthetic 

@onskeskyendk

Beauty essentials for the “clean girl” ✨ all products are linked in bio ☁️🤍 #ønskeskyen #ønskeskyeninspo #cleangirlaesthetic #fyp

♬ som original – 🎧

Can microtrends on TikTok offer more than just trendy content?

According to multiple sources, Gen Z are the loneliest generation. It’s no wonder they seek to romanticise the mundane, and TikTok provides them with the perfect tool to do so. 

Their penchant for online movements allows them to connect with others, while ultimately expressing themselves through their own spins on aesthetic trends. The benefit of microtrends is that “there are no barriers to entry”, states senior foresight analyst Marta Indeka. Anyone and everyone can participate with their own take, presenting their true, authentic selves to the online world and, thus, blurring the lines between spectator and insider. 

With Gen Z being in their “up and coming” era, still figuring out who they are/want to be, playing around with microtrends on TikTok offers an outlet to do so. Lola Kolade, the originator of “rat girl summer” – an antithesis to the famed hot girl summer – expresses her thoughts on aesthetic microtrends actually being a tool for self-realisation, saying that “having a little character to play with while you figure out what works for you” is relieving and desired. 

This notion also extends to brands looking to develop – or even find – their image, voice and/or aesthetic. TikTok provides the wiggle room for them to play around with new concepts, test new visuals and generally find their feet in front of a more forgiving audience than they would find on other social media platforms. 

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful

Posted in Industry Trends, Social Media Platforms, Social Trends

Micro Vs. Macro Influencers: Who Is Better For Your Business?

August 30th, 2023 by

An influencer is a person who can sway potential buyers’ decisions through promoting or endorsing items on social media. They play a central role in brand promotions now more than ever before, due to more brands becoming more social first. However, it’s essential to understand that not all influencers are created equal. They come in a myriad of sizes, not only physically but also reflecting the amount of value they can bring to the table for your brand. Following this, the hotly debated topic of micro vs. macro influencers is always at the forefront of social media marketing decisions. 

Micro-influencers, for instance, are exceptional at reaching a more focused target audience while the benefits of macro-influencers, on the other hand, can greatly expand your brand visibility on a global scale with their many followers. But, when it comes to micro vs. macro influencers, which one is right for your business? Let’s discuss it.

What are micro influencers?

Our first deep dive into the micro vs. macro influencers discussion is headed by the micro influencers. 

A micro-influencer is someone with a follower count ranging from 10,000 to 100,000. Don’t be fooled by the smaller numbers though! The benefits of micro-influencers lies in their ability to connect with their followers on a deeper level, typically boasting engagement rates of around 10%+.

@lostwithlucy

is the wallet giving ny or nah 🤨 #nyc #dailyvlogs

♬ original sound – lucy q

When it comes to cost, partnering with a micro-influencer is significantly cheaper than their macro counterparts. Brands can expect to pay anywhere between £50 – £1,500 per post, making them an ideal choice for smaller businesses or those with a limited budget.

Pros & Cons of micro influencers 

Pros (benefits of micro-influencers):

  1. Higher engagement rates: Micro-influencers often have a more focused and niche audience. This means their followers are more likely to engage with their content, leading to higher engagement rates. 
  2. Authenticity: Their smaller follower base allows them to create a more personal connection with their audience, often seen as more genuine and trustworthy.

Cons:

  1. Limited Reach: Despite the quality of engagement, the scope of influence is confined due to their smaller follower count.
  2. Increased Management: Working with multiple micro-influencers can mean more time and resources spent on management and coordination.

What are macro influencers? 

Next up for the micro vs. macro influencers discussion are the macro influencers. 

They are individuals with a follower count ranging from 100,000 to 1 million – often celebrities or well-known figures in their respective fields. Their engagement rates may hover around a lower 1-3%. However, these influencers can provide brands with access to a large and diverse audience that listens to them exclusively. When a macro-influencer endorses a product, they expose it to their numerous followers, increasing the brand’s visibility significantly.

@max_balegde

DONT CALL IT A HAT OR ILL CRY

♬ original sound – Max_Balegde

Macro influencers often charge higher rates for their influence, anywhere from £1,500 to £25,000 per post, making them a considerable investment for brands.

Pros & Cons of macro influencers 

Pros (benefits of Macro-Influencers):

  1. Wider Reach: Macro influencers can take your brand visibility to a whole new level. Their massive following means your brand gets exposed to a much larger audience.
  2. Content Creation: Macro-influencers are skilled content creators with a keen understanding of what engages their audience. Collaborating with them can provide a brand with high-quality, engaging content that can resonate with consumers and provoke interest in the brand.
  3. Increased Sales: The endorsement of a macro-influencer can directly translate into increased sales. Their followers often see them as trusted figures, so their recommendations can carry significant weight.

Cons:

  1. Higher Costs: The impressive reach of macro-influencers comes with a hefty price tag, often making them inaccessible for smaller businesses.
  2. Lower Engagement: Despite their larger following, macro influencers tend to have a lower engagement rate as their audience base is less niche and more diverse.
  3. Audience Relevance: The larger and more diverse an influencer’s follower base, the more likely it is to include individuals who are not part of the brand’s target demographic. This means that some of the exposure gained through a macro-influencer partnership may be to individuals who are not potential customers.

Micro vs. macro influencers: Who should you choose?

The Ball is in Your Court.

The answer to the micro vs. macro influencers debate ultimately lies within the hands of the business and aligns with the goals they’re looking to achieve.

If your aim is to increase brand awareness on a large scale, and you have the budget, a macro influencer may be the way to go. However, if you’re seeking authentic engagement and have a more targeted audience, a micro-influencer could be a better fit. You might even benefit from using a mix of multiple micro/macro influencers to achieve your business goals.

Remember, the best influencer for your business is not determined by the number of followers they have, but by the quality of the relationship they have with their audience and how well that audience aligns with your brand. As you venture into the world of influencer marketing, keep these factors at the forefront of your decision-making process to ensure that the micro vs. macro influencers discussion withholds its importance.

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful

Posted in Influencer News, Social Trends

The Power of Community on Threads

August 22nd, 2023 by

We are genetically wired for interaction. Pre-internet, interactions happened in-person, but with the digitisation of the world, the majority of us have grown accustomed to them happening online.

The new kid on the block, Threads, acts as the middleman by offering social media users a human approach to online interactions. The text-based, conversation-led platform is a hub for like-minded social media frequenters to come together and discuss shared interests or involve themselves in important conversations—from education and healthcare to music and fashion. 

Compared to Twitter, Threads has been likened to a warm hug. This is because its group-chat style offers a safe space for users to comfortably share their thoughts. Threads has also seen a surge in users taking an out-of-the-box approach to what they’re sharing with their community members. Speaker and author, Kiaundra Jackson, admitted to sharing things on Threads that she would never share on any of her other social media platforms, from spur-of-the-moment thoughts to personal opinions. Sharing such thoughts is a surefire way for Kiaundra to strengthen her relationship with her community.

community on Threads

The notion of community has become so centralised for brands and creators looking to achieve online success, that those who fail to tap into their communities miss out on leveraging a niche group of people for both business and personal gain.

Luckily, as Threads is still in its infancy, building communities from scratch is easy. On established platforms like Instagram, communities are very clearly set up, with brands and creators hosting the most popular, being instantly recognisable. Trying to persuade community members to abandon their loyalty is almost an impossible task. 

Threads offers a level playing field full of wandering users looking to be taken in by or creating their own community. Creators and brands can take advantage of this by optimising their profiles and content output to reach as many of these people as possible. 

The great thing about communities on Threads is that users can carry them over from their Instagram accounts. This means that their pre-existing communities are ready and waiting for them, allowing the user to pick up where they left off. However, does community interaction look the same on Threads as it does on Instagram? If not, how can brands and creators adopt a new approach to community engagement on this vastly different platform?

What does building a community on Threads look like?

We’re in the age of meaningful conversation. Don’t get us wrong, visual content is still thriving, but the modern-day social media user wants more. Something meaningful. Conversations are exactly this. 

If creators on Threads want to contribute something useful to their community, they must be seen to be involving themselves in relevant conversations. Put perfectly by social media marketing educator, Lia Haberman, “conversation contributors will become just as powerful as content creators”. Offering sound thoughts to the right conversations paves the way for deeper community connection due to the weight that words carry. Not only this, but appearing to be actively listening and contributing to important conversations will entice new members to join your Threads community.

The conversational nature of Threads also deters the growth of the passive consumption of content. Reading on screen text—and a lot of it—forces the users to slow down and concentrate on the words in front of them, naturally increasing active engagement. On the other hand, Threads encourages mindfulness among creators, as they will have to think more about what they are publishing to such a conversation-heavy space. What conversations will their Threads generate? How will these conversations benefit or hinder their community?

The future of communities on Threads 

Communities across Threads will begin to see more frequent interaction from their favourite creators and brands due to the app’s ease of use and less demanding content creation. Take travel updates, for example. Creators on Threads are more easily able to share frequent, in-the-moment updates on their travels, keeping their community engaged and feeling like a priority even while on holiday. 

As a result of the surge in such intimate Threads communities, dedication to community management will continue to prevail. Seeing as the entire platform revolves around interaction and connection, the enactment of these will be held in such high regard. As the epicentre of each community, conversation hosts should be looking to correctly monitor and prompt activity where necessary to ensure community members feel seen, heard and prioritised.

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful

Posted in Industry Trends, Marketing News, Social Media Marketing News, Social Media Platforms, Social Trends

How to Earn on TikTok Shop as a Creator

August 14th, 2023 by

TikTok Shop has taken over many of our FYPs. With creators of all sizes (starting with a minimum 1K followers) sharing their favourite TikTok Shop products, and many earning a pretty penny from commissions, we want to share how creators can earn on TikTok Shop, and what the benefits are. 

How to Set up TikTok Shop for Creators

Setting up your TikTok shop tab is a seamless process, however there are some requirements to meet.

TikTok Shop Requirements

In order to qualify for promoting products, a TikTok creator must be over 18, have over 1,000 followers, and have posted on TikTok within the last 28 days.

Setting up your TikTok Shop

The first step to earn on TikTok Shop is to go to the Creator Tools section by clicking the three lines in the top right corner of your profile page. 

The second step is to tap TikTok Shop for Creator under the Creator Next section of the page. 

If you meet the requirements to earn on TikTok Shop, you will be able to press Apply at the bottom of the page. Make sure to check out the Community Guidelines to ensure you stick to all rules set by TikTok, and avoid a possible ban. 

If you meet the requirements, you will then be taken through to a new page that informs you how to set up a commission account, explains the benefits of promoting products with TikTok Shop. 

Then, you will be required to fill in a form, detailing the information that aligns with your beneficiary account (AKA the details on your chosen withdrawal bank account). According to TikTok, the approval for this application can take up to 48 hours, so don’t panic if you aren’t accepted immediately. 

earn on TikTok Shop: setting up your page

While you’re waiting for approval, or post-approval, you can browse The Creator Hub, which allows access to tools such as Product Marketplace, your Commissions, Campaigns to register for, the TikTok Shop Academy, and more, and also shows the trending products, video and LIVE inspirations, and the top creators on TikTok Shop. 

Once you have been approved, you can begin adding products to your TikTok Shop, which your followers can view through the basket tab on your profile page.

earn on TikTok Shop: creator hub

How to Earn Commission

There are a few ways of earning commissions through TikTok Shop. 

The main way of earning on TikTok Shop is through creating shoppable short videos about a product or products, and linking them within your TikTok video. These videos appear on a user’s For You Page, and feature a shopping basket above the caption. When clicking the icon, viewers can explore the product/s mentioned in the video, within TikTok, and even make a purchase. 

Another way to earn on TikTok Shop is by hosting Live Shopping videos. TikTok Live Shopping allows creators to host livestreams where they showcase products to their viewers in real time. Viewers can engage with the creator during the livestream, and also make a purchase through the basket icon that appears on the video. The basket showcases all videos mentioned within the video, but can be set to feature the product currently being discussed first. 

The final way to earn on TikTok Shop is by curating a Product Showcase Tab. The tab is located on a creator’s profile, and acts as a dedicated selection of recommended products. Viewers can peruse the collection, and purchase directly within the app. When purchased through a creator’s page, the creator earns commission. 

The amount of commission a creator gains for each product purchase varies due to the earning percentages set by each brand. Commission profit can be anything from 1% to 20%.

Benefits for Creators

TikTok Shop is a social commerce feature that has created a seamless buying journey for consumers. Not only does it benefit creators by allowing them to earn money from their promotions, but it creates a close community where people can discover and enjoy the same brands and products. 

Using TikTok Shop, creators can transform their profile pages and content into a visual storefront, supporting their favourite brands (the ones available on TikTok Shop, at least), whilst helping their audience find the best products at the best deals—TikTok Shop discounts can be extraordinary. 

Not only this, but by showing off their ability to promote products on TikTok Shop, they are also showcasing their ability to promote products in general. As a result of this, they could be noticed by other brands that are relevant to their TikTok Shop tab, and gain more influencer marketing collaborations.

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful

Posted in Industry Trends, Influencer News, Social Commerce, Social Media Platforms, Social Trends

Where Does Threads Fit Into The Age Of Video Content?

August 14th, 2023 by

What do the current reigning social media platforms all have in common?

They offer their users the opportunity to tap into video content creation and, therefore, the latest online trends. Think TikTok, Reels and Shorts; the rapid rise in video content creation was largely triggered by the pandemic in 2020 and, to this day, is used by 86% of marketers worldwide. 

But if the social media landscape is so dominated by video content, where does a text-based app like Threads fit into the equation?

Social media trends have shifted with the times. Now, consumers favour community, connection, and an authentic and human approach to the way we consume online information.

Threads offers users exactly this. The app prioritises community by offering ample opportunity for users to share opinions on hot topics and engage with those with shared interests. This is the new key to online success. Not only this, but the general consensus gathered so far is that users are loving the fact Threads is not a short-form video copycat, further solidifying the demand for a text-based, community-focused app at this point in time.

How can Threads content compliment other video-based platforms?

Just because Threads offers something vastly different from what most social media platforms offer—all bar Twitter (sorry, X)—it doesn’t mean that it can’t be used in conjunction with other platforms. In fact, there has been a recent surge in users on video-based platforms using Threads to inspire content creation.

Adam Tyler Smith does a great job of explaining exactly how to execute this.

@adamtylersmith

Use Threads as idea catch all -> review daily -> script best ideas -> create short/long form video = not being overwhelmed. #threads #socialmediamarketing #makingmoneyonline #monetizingtiktok #businessgrowthtips #tiktokgrowth

♬ original sound – Adam 🤙🏻

Resharing Threads content to TikTok or other platforms is a great way for creators to avoid burnout, but it does present Threads the challenge of keeping users active and engaged on the platform itself. Resharing Threads content to another platform results in users passively consuming Threads content via an alternative platform. Just think about how many Twitter highlights you’ve seen on Instagram or TikTok—the same threat applies to Threads. 

Due to TikTok’s hyper-relevant and highly addictive algorithm, users are shown the exact Threads content they will find entertaining, something they would have to dig to find in Threads’ current algorithm. To beat this, Threads needs to find a way to keep users coming back to its platform for more. In addition to this, Threads will now have to compete with TikTok’s latest update, where users can now create text only posts with up to 1,000 characters. 

As Threads is a text-based, conversation app, there isn’t as much need for visual content as there is on Instagram. However, this doesn’t mean that visual content can’t still be talked about or promoted. 

If you are a video content creator looking to tackle Threads, a great way to blend your efforts and start on the new platform is to see Threads as a space to generate conversations about the visual content you have created for Instagram, or elsewhere. Because of the ease of combining Threads and Instagram, creators can consider Instagram as their storefront, and Threads as the breakroom. You show your followers what you like on Instagram, and Threads shows your followers who you are. 

Where Instagram content creation typically entails meticulous planning, attention to detail and a performative approach, content on Threads is a lot more ‘in-the-moment’ and casual, inviting users to take a more laid-back approach to content creation. This allows video content creators to continue focusing their efforts on what they do best, while simultaneously using Threads to casually spark conversation about their creative process or the topic/reason for a video’s creation.

The modern day user no longer tolerates “empty” content. Instead they are looking to engage with that which is meaningful. While Threads content doesn’t require meticulous planning, the words published still hold just as much weight as the amount of work that goes into a 30-second Reel. Starting important conversations serves as meaningful content and is that which video content creators should enter the Threads space remembering.

Should video content be avoided altogether?

Being the sister platform to Instagram, integration between the two is seamless. In fact, many creators see Threads as complementary to Instagram. Threads users are able to repost Reels and videos to their account, while also tapping into Threads Carousels to relay visual content. Though there are options to post pictures and videos, users should be wary of how and when this is done. 

To many, Threads is likened to one big group chat. If you’re in a few of your own, you’ll understand that visual content sent in the group chat is typically relevant to the topic/conversation at hand. Sending memes, videos and images without context doesn’t always land very well and can risk generating confusion. 

Our suggestion? Before posting visual content to Threads, think to yourself, ‘would this be posted in the group chat right now?’

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful

Posted in Industry Trends, Social Media Marketing News, Social Media Platforms, Social Trends

Getting Started as a Threads Creator

August 7th, 2023 by

Meta’s latest creation has entered the chat. 

Touted as the ‘Twitter Killer’, Threads has amassed an impressive 114 million sign ups since its launch on the 5th July. Among the masses are hoards of creators looking to Threads in anticipation, wondering if this just might be the platform to accelerate their growth. 

Threads is a text-based community platform. Unsurprisingly, words matter there. The creators putting their literary skills to the test and carefully crafting meaningful Threads appear to be those succeeding. What Threads doesn’t seem to be, however, is a platform with a preference for images or videos, but this hasn’t steered the visual content creators away. Threads offers them a chance to strip it all back and engage with their audience through mindful words rather than letting their images/videos do the talking. 

With social media being an ever-evolving space, an app like Threads prompts creators from all backgrounds to work with the changes rather than pigeon hole themselves while their audiences go out and explore what’s new. We’re not saying short-form video, or visual content in general, is no longer trending, but we are acknowledging that trends are shifting; with a new emphasis on community and connection.

This article will explore the ways in which all types of creators—from video content all the way to education—can use a text-based app like Threads, to succeed.

Log on, listen, learn

Threads is still in its early stages right now, and there’s not much more creators can do other than log on, listen, and learn. Strategising on Threads is borderline pointless because the app is yet to introduce a feature that allows Threads creators to be discovered, and review their metrics/analytics. 

What Threads creators do see, however, is an algorithm-curated feed which serves a balance between post ranking and content discovery. The app’s recommendations of unfamiliar posts puts creators in good stead for appearing on the feeds of new audiences without having to over-analyse a way of getting there. 

But appearing on a new user’s feed is just the start. From here, a Threads creator’s content has to be entertaining enough to tempt users to engage, or even give a cheeky follow. 

So what type of content garners the most engagement, and how can Threads creators use it to accelerate their growth on the platform?

What’s thriving on Threads?

The Threads creators thriving are those taking a more observational and laid back approach to both the content being published and its frequency, particularly while the platform is in its infancy and bringing a rush of curiosity and excitement. 

Natasha Pierre of @shinewithnatasha stresses the importance of not posting just for the sake of it. Instead, she encourages creators to explore the platform to see where they can have meaningful conversations or slot themselves into other people’s Threads. After all, you have to show up if you want to be involved.

Industry leaders have suggested that the platform is similar to a group chat. And just like any group chat, humour, light-heartedness, and general tomfoolery are ever-present, as this is the preferred approach for many to explore connections and important conversations. The Threads creators taking advantage of this are those who are gaining more engagement, and thriving on the growing platform. 

For example, apparel brand GAP has read the room right by adopting a humorous approach to its Threads debut.

Threads creator: GAP posts

Just like on any other platform, authenticity is paramount on Threads. The key is just to be present and be you. This will automatically generate more authentic content than what will come out of that which is strategically published. There is no point in blindly diving into specific content creation for an unfamiliar environment; especially while analytics are still inaccessible.

Authenticity also comes in the form of contributing to Threads of interest to you and which you know will serve your community. Sharing your thoughts and opinions on certain subjects allows your community and potential new followers to get to know you below surface level, and, if they like what they see, will naturally increase overall engagement and followers.

Is Threads worth getting on as a creator?

Forgive us for sounding like a broken record, but it is just simply too early to answer this question. 

As younger generations seem to prefer video-based platforms right now, it’s easy to see the launch of Threads as Meta’s temporary rival to Twitter. However, if things continue at the pace at which they began, Threads could make room for some exciting, innovative additions to the future of social media. 

Fashion, lifestyle and comedy creator, Haley Kalil, was one of the first to join the platform. In a conversation with Forbes, she nodded to the fact that she had noticed a considerable drop in engagement numbers on Instagram due to her followers making the move over to Threads (or at least spending a considerable amount of their screen time on there). For the creators with no plans to make the move, they must be prepared to see Threads take a significant portion of time away from Instagram users (for the time being, at least). 

Our suggestion? Signing up to the platform and getting started at the very least can do no harm. It will at least give you a seat at the table and allow you to sit back and quietly observe as things unravel.

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful

Posted in Industry Trends, Influencer News, Social Media Platforms, Social Trends

Influencer Marketing Trends To Watch Out For In 2023

August 4th, 2023 by

Influencer marketing trends play an active role in shaping the landscape of social media, but for a trend to occur, an influx of a certain influencer activity is needed. This changes year on year and, in turn, affects the way brands carry out their influencer marketing. 

With the industry set to reach $21.1bn by the end of 2023, social media behemoths are recognising the importance and benefits of investing in influencer marketing. Through successful influencer marketing campaigns, brands are able to increase ROI, brand visibility and engagement – as well as experience a whole host of other benefits. 

Knowing this information, it comes as no surprise that 93% of marketers have used influencer marketing in one form or another, and consider it a key marketing strategy for their business. 

This article will take a deep dive into the influencer marketing trends shaping the industry in 2023 and how brands can take advantage of them to increase their chances of success.

The influencer marketing trends shaping the industry in 2023

1. The growth of social searching

First to grace our list of influencer marketing trends is the rise in social media platforms doubling up as a search engine tool. 

According to Google, 40% of young people prefer TikTok and Instagram as search engines over Google. Social media platforms have become digital storefronts. Nowadays, the content shared on them is what connects most brands to their audiences. Because of this, brands are adopting an always-on approach to maintain relevance within their community. In turn, this increases their likelihood of being found through search engines. 

In fact, TikTok has taken advantage of its stance as a search engine for Gen Z and now sees many brands run their own SEO strategies via the platform to increase reach to relevant audiences, as well as social presence. 

If you’re not already using social media as a search marketing strategy, then now’s the time to start. If you are, then consider how you can use it more effectively. 

2. Additional revenue streams for influencers

Today, it’s very rare to stumble upon an influencer who doesn’t own their own business or have multiple additional revenue streams. The bottom line is that influencers are becoming more entrepreneurial. This is simply because there is now more incentive to do so, due to consumers looking to influencers to inform a purchasing decision. What’s better than recommending their own product?

The modern day influencer is proving they are more than just a sponsored post by leveraging their audience for new business ventures. 

Notable influencer businesses include:

Krissy Cela – Oner Active

Oner Active

Arianna Ajtar – Mars The Label

Mars The Label

Mitchell Halliday – Made By Mitchell

Made By Mitchell

Expect to see more and more influencer-owned small businesses pop up throughout the year!

3. The rise of influencer-generated content

Next up on our list of influencer marketing trends should come as no surprise to anyone. 

Influencers have the job that they do because of their innate ability to create impactful content, which is why more and more brands are working with influencers to get visuals for their channels. Not only does this benefit the brand now having trendy content to share, but it also appears more authentic having been created by someone who knows the importance of authenticity. Not to mention it’s significantly cheaper to hire an influencer than organise an entire photoshoot. 

The rise of IGC goes hand in hand with more and more brands entrusting their creative director roles to established influencers. Think Pharrell Williams for Louis Vuitton and – more locally – Molly Mae Hague for Pretty Little Thing. 

influencer marketing trends: Molly Mae for PLT

4. The popularisation of stock content

IGC isn’t the only content hack changing the face of influencer marketing in 2023. The answer to keeping up with the demand for streams of fresh content? Stock content. 

Natasha of @shinewithnatasha describes it as “B-roll footage for low-lift high-impact content”. By B-roll footage, we mean anything from the influencer filming themselves making a cup of coffee or simply walking towards the camera wearing their OOTD. 

Influencers can publish this ready-to-share footage in between sponsored content and their high-production/niche-specific content. Oftentimes this stock content will come in handy when the influencer doesn’t have the energy to put all their efforts into filming in-depth content or when the influencer wants to allocate more time to connecting with their community without filming obligations interrupting this. 

5. The rise of UGC creators

Of all the influencer marketing trends listed thus far, the rise of UGC creators is one which we’re certain the majority of marketers are already aware of. 

A UGC creator is someone who creates organic-looking content which appears as user-generated content, for brands. From an audience perspective, UGC is typically seen as more trustworthy and is also great for building an aesthetically pleasing Feed. 

@noamugc

UGC for @gisou ! I’m actually in love with this hair oil and how soft and shiny it makes my hair🥰 #gisou #gisouhairoil #ugccreator #ugccontentcreator #beautyugccreator

♬ Calm Down – Rema & Selena Gomez

For brands looking to keep up with a consistent stream of content, leaning into what UGC creators can offer is a reliable and cheaper way to achieve this. 

Our prediction? UGC creators will soon become just as valuable and in-demand as traditional influencers. 

6. Long-form content will make a comeback

If TikTok – the pioneer of short-form content – can increase its video length to 10 minutes, that’s all the proof we need for long-form content making a comeback (or perhaps it’s the millennial in us hoping it will). 

Of all influencer marketing trends this is certainly the underdog for changing the face of the industry over the course of the next year.  

But why is this? 

As Raffiti explains, “short-form content is toilet content … long-form content is intentional, builds a relationship, forms a community. Long-form content’s where it’s at”. 

From vlogs to educational content, brands now have ample opportunity to reach their target demographic via other avenues. YouTube’s format is perfect for brands willing to tackle long-form content. For more long-form influencer marketing content tips, check out our blog for running integrated and dedicated sponsored videos on YouTube.

Consider pushing your marketing efforts outside of their comfort zone, you might be surprised by what you can find. 

7. Increase in live shopping partnerships

Projected to reach $25bn in 2023, live shopping is one of the influencer trends on our radar this year.

Just because the Instagram Shopping tab didn’t last as long as we thought it would, it doesn’t mean other platforms aren’t still putting their all into making live shopping events a priority. TikTok is a prime example of this. More and more brands are partnering with influencers to run live shopping events on TikTok, persuading more than 40% of Gen Zers to buy at least one item or service whilst watching. 

From MyProtein to PrettyLittleThing – brands are recognising the importance of real-time interaction with their audiences and expanding upon the possible ways to reach them. Live shopping events also provide them with the utmost authenticity as the live event offers no chance for editing sections out or manipulating content in general. 

To celebrate its launch on TikTok Shop, PrettyLittleThing held several live shopping events each featuring a different, well-known influencer. 

influencer marketing trends: live shopping

8. Branching out into new social media platforms

Though platforms like Instagram and Facebook will always prevail, the rise of newer platforms with heaps of potential, should not be dismissed. 

Take the launch of Instagram’s new platform – and Twitter’s rival – Threads, for example. This text-based conversation app was designed as a space for the unification of communities to come together and discuss shared hobbies and important topics. Building communities and being at the centre of meaningful conversations is imperative for brand success nowadays – is Threads the answer?

For more insights, click here to find out whether we think Threads will stay or fray.

9. Less filters and curation

Our list of influencer marketing trends would not be complete without a nod to the influx in raw content. Perfectly imperfect content is the new wave on social media and is fast becoming a growing influencer marketing trend too. 

Long gone are the days of high-production videos and overly-polished images. Instead, less filtered and more in-the-moment content is that which prevails. 

The Booktok community over on TikTok are those who have nailed this approach already. 

@callisreadingg

in my opinion🫶🏼❤️🫶🏼❤️ #booktok #bookhaul #romancebooks #bookmail #unboxing #unboxinghaul #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookshelf #haul #bookish

♬ original sound – Calli

Many Booktok videos feel like a facetime call and are, therefore, more enticing and engaging.

The key takeaway from this influencer marketing trend? In 2023, brands no longer need to worry so much about finding influencers with the “perfect aesthetic”. 

There you have it – our list of watch-worthy influencer marketing trends for 2023. There’s no doubt more and more landscape-altering influencer marketing trends will pop up in the years to come – but until then, consider how you can effectively optimise the above to increase your chances of influencer marketing success. 

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful

Posted in Industry Trends, Influencer News, Social Trends

How To Use Hashtags On Social Media Effectively

August 2nd, 2023 by

Hashtags adorn content across all socials and play a vital role in sending it out to a wider audience with the intention of increasing engagement, recruiting new followers, expanding online presence and a whole host of other goals. 

They were initially launched on Twitter as a way of organising content. Users could simply type a hashtag of interest into the search bar and indulge in the unlimited thread of related content at their fingertips. Today, they still serve this purpose, but can now also promote, connect, and draw attention to brands, campaigns, creators etc. 

Today, spotting a digital naive from a digital native is easy. It’s all in their ability to use hashtags. For marketers looking to present as the latter, knowing how to use hashtags is crucial for running successful marketing campaigns and refining content strategies. 

For some social media platforms, hashtags are so integrated into their functionality that it is harder for marketers to not utilise them. The algorithm of networking giants Instagram and TikTok relies so heavily on them that knowing how to use hashtags quickly becomes second nature.

But what does hashtagging on these platforms actually entail?

How to use hashtags on TikTok

Just like on any other social media platform, TikTok hashtags categorise content and help to make it more discoverable. This allows users to join in on trending or relevant conversations by using the right hashtags. 

As well as this, implementing them into your TikTok strategy can also boost engagement, help build a community, identify competitors, find influencers, give great content ideas and allow you to hop on trends. Their power isn’t to be underestimated. 

Hashtag implementation can look like one of five ways. 

Branded 

These are personal to brands which help promote their products and themselves. 

For example, Rimmel’s #LiveTheLondonLook ensures that any content using that hashtag, is associated with the brand. 

@rimmellondon

It’s all about those final makeup touches! ✨🤩 Shop High’Light now on TikTok shop #Rimmel #RimmelLondon #LiveTheLondonLook #Highlight #Highlighter

♬ Sweat – Nami22

Product-centric 

These are used to highlight reviews, recommendations and product discoveries. 

For example #AmazonFinds has 54.3B views and helps people discover the latest gadgets Amazon is selling. 

@julianna_claire

Amazon bathroom faves & more linked in my bio 💗! #amazonmusthaves #amazonbeauty #SimlishSessions #amazonfinds

♬ original sound – Julianna | Amazon Finds

Community 

These identify specific groups or consumers on TikTok. 

A great example of a community hashtag is #BookTok – a tag which connects book lovers across the internet and now has 153.5B views. 

@callisreadingg

in my opinion🫶🏼❤️🫶🏼❤️ #booktok #bookhaul #romancebooks #bookmail #unboxing #unboxinghaul #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookshelf #haul #bookish

♬ original sound – Calli

Sponsored 

These are branded hashtags tied to marketing campaigns, including challenges, contests and promotions which require customers to tag themselves.

CeraVe’s #21DaysOfSPF campaign has now seen over 460.6M views.

@dermdoctor

#CeraVePartner I DARE YOU TO DO THE 21 DAYS OF SPF CHALLENGE WITH ME @cerave #21DaysOfSPF #FaceItLikeADerm #CeraVe  

♬ Lets Form A Habit – avani

General 

These are broad, non-specific terms and phrases used for labelling content on TikTok. 

For example, users could contribute their content to interior design fans by labelling it #BedroomDesign.

Conducting relevant research plays a vital role in learning how to use hashtags on TikTok. To find those that work best for your brand you can use the TikTok Discover tab to see which hashtags are currently trending or actively seek out articles that compile lists of the top tags for each category. 

Remember, it’s just as important to know which hashtags to use as it is to know how to use hashtags, so to help give you a head start, here are our top tips for using hashtags on TikTok:

Combine niche ones with relevant/trending ones

Popular hashtags are great for reaching a wider audience, but are also highly competitive, making it harder to get noticed. Implementing niche ones will ensure your content is seen by a hyper-targeted, relevant audience who have actively sought out that hashtag. 

Consider your caption character count

TikTok have recently upgraded their caption character limit to 2,200 characters, however for punchy, impactful content, sticking to something short and sweet will grab the most attention. 

Use #ForYou, #ForYouPage and #FYP with caution

These highly popular hashtags have trillions of views combined. If your goal is to boost visibility, relying too much on them isn’t the best idea. As mentioned above, a good mix of varying hashtags will put you in good stead for achieving your goals. 

How to use hashtags on Instagram

Known for the circulation of famed hashtags such as #WCW and #OOTD, Instagram presents multiple opportunities to make use of hashtags for both business and creative endeavours, alike. Firstly, not only can you add them to your posts, but you can also follow hashtags of interest. 

When it comes to learning how to use hashtags on Instagram, there are five categories to keep in mind when stuck for inspiration. 

Location-based: such as #UpperEastSide

Branded: for branded campaigns such as #MyCalvins 

Industry: to let users know which niche you belong to, #socialmediaagency, for example

Community-focused: such as #IAmASweatyBetty

Descriptive: describe your content 

Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, recently revealed that “[hashtags] aren’t going to meaningfully change the amount of reach you get when you post”. Instead, what they can do is improve your discoverability by ensuring your content appears in relevant searches. 

While Mosseri’s statement may have come as a surprise to many marketers – seeing as it doesn’t align with the general conviction that hashtags affect reach – it forces marketers to begin thinking about other tactics for increasing reach on Instagram. 

Now that it’s common knowledge that Instagram hashtags don’t technically affect reach, knowing how to use hashtags for the purpose of engaging your community remains crucial.

Here are our top tips for doing so:

Stick with 3-5 tags

Though Instagram allows up to 30 per post, we don’t advise using all 30. Instead, 3-5 carefully selected hashtags – a mixture of trending and niche – will be most effective.

Use them in both your captions and comment sections

Instagram has confirmed that hashtags are effective in both of these locations. If including them in your caption interrupts your aesthetic, putting them out of sight in the comment section is a sure way to combat this. 

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful

Posted in Social Commerce, Social Media Platforms, Social Trends

The Top YouTube Categories To Consider When Launching Your Marketing Campaigns

August 1st, 2023 by

The top YouTube categories can be leveraged by marketers to drive successful marketing campaigns. Ever considered launching your next big campaign on YouTube? (check out our YouTube statistics blog to help your decision).

YouTube remains a dominant platform that captures the attention of billions worldwide; 2.1bn to be exact. Its diverse range of content offers an abundance of opportunities for brands and businesses to collaborate with influencers who hold sway over specific niches.

But which of these niches are the most profitable?

From the glitz and the glam of the beauty scene, to the thrills of the gaming world, we’ll uncover the top YouTube categories and the untapped potential they offer marketers who are looking to launch their next campaign on the platform. 

Not only this, but we’ll also delve into the emerging trends that are shaping the latest shifts in audience preferences so that you’re publishing up-to-date, engaging content. After all, staying relevant is the key to navigating an ever-changing digital landscape. 

If you’re looking to harness the power of YouTube for your next big campaign, then keep reading to discover which of the top YouTube categories will unlock your influencer marketing potential and propel you to new heights. 

The top YouTube categories driving successful marketing campaigns

Carefully selecting the content type your marketing campaign will adopt is crucial for determining its success later on. Here are the most popular categories on YouTube when it comes to content:

1. Commentary videos

The internet has shifted to a place where thoughts and opinions from people are encouraged and commentary-based videos are feeding that.

Commentary videos involve someone expressing their thoughts/opinions on any topic. Think monologue, but informative, sarcastic and comedic. Your commentary video can take on a more aggressive tone and adopt the popular rant video format, or swing the opposite way and delve into business/current affairs to help educate the public.

Whichever commentary approach you want to take, you’ll be guaranteed several views.

Memeulous is one of YouTube’s most popular commentary video creators.

2. Music videos

Music does extremely well on YouTube. Just think about how many music videos from your favourite artists are uploaded to the platform. Though music streaming platforms are flourishing, nothing seems to have replaced YouTube clips.

Not only is this a great platform for professional musicians, but it also houses large amounts of user-generated and amateur content, cover performances, lyrics videos, karaoke material etc. 

Just Eat created a notable example of a brand cashing in on the top YouTube categories to drive a successful campaign, with their Did Somebody Say music video featuring Katy Perry. 

3. Reviews

Reviews belong to the most beloved of YouTube categories. 

Reviews can take on many forms. Typically, creators will review products or services (this is what we often see influencers doing).

The great thing about review videos is that they don’t necessarily have to be very professional-looking. What matters most is their advertising value. Polls have regularly shown that consumers are more likely to make a purchase if they see a positive review online. 

YouTube is the perfect medium for many products. People find it a lot easier to relate to a review if they can physically see the product in question. 

4. Educational videos and tutorials

How long does it take to boil an egg? How to take your phone’s SIM card out? Just about every question known to man can be met with a YouTube tutorial. 

Considering how many people retain visual and mobile information more easily, tutorials seem to be a sound way to go when marketing your product. 

The debate surrounding studying through YouTube is still very much open, so why not claim your slice of the pie by uploading educational content to help your audience learn something new about your brand?

Ryobi Tools does a great job of integrating a tutorial in with their new product launch.

5. Docuseries

If you are a regular user of YouTube, you won’t be surprised with our next contender in our top YouTube categories list. 

Docuseries take a documentary and break it down into several episodes before posting them to YouTube. They typically follow an individual, group of people, or a certain situation over a period of time. They also have varied objectives, from educating to marketing (for example, companies that film their day-to-day functioning).

Check out Oner Active’s documentary below, which highlights the running of the company and gives viewers a glimpse into the happenings behind-the-scenes; all with the intention of selling the brand. 

6. Challenge videos

Our list of the top YouTube categories would not be complete without the inclusion of challenge videos. These are like games in which the participants are invited to do out-of-the-ordinary activities either for charity or for pure fun. Oftentimes, the aim of circulating a challenge around the internet is to raise awareness or money for a certain cause. Think Ice Bucket Challenge circa 2014, which raised more than $220 million for ALS charities worldwide.

All brands can create their own challenge as a promotional strategy too. 

7. ASMR videos

Whether you love them or hate them, there is no denying that the recent ASMR trend is shifting audience preferences one whisper at a time. 

ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response and involves capturing the “pleasing” sounds of everyday life; such as scratching, breathing, whispering, paper crinkling etc. 

As of lately, brands across all industries have taken on the ASMR trend, with skincare brands emphasising the sounds of lathering products and fashion brands recording the sound of their packaging being opened. ASMR videos have no limits – and therefore infinite success – so it’s no wonder it has earned a spot on the list of the top YouTube categories

FAQs

Which content is most popular on YouTube in 2023?

As of 2023, music videos are the most popular content type on YouTube.

What are the most popular content categories on YouTube?

  1. Commentary videos
  2. Music videos
  3. Reviews
  4. Educational videos and tutorials
  5. Docuseries
  6. Challenge videos
  7. ASMR videos

Which YouTube categories pay the most?

The most profitable YouTube categories are:

  1. Make money online
  2. Social media marketing
  3. Finance & investing
  4. Educational videos
  5. Photography & filmmaking 
  6. Cars
  7. Lifestyle
  8. Fashion & clothing
  9. Entertainment
  10.  Cooking

Which of the top YouTube categories is the fastest growing?

Beauty and fashion is growing rapidly. 

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful

Posted in News, Social Media Platforms, Social Trends

What is Threads: Will it Stay or Will it Fray?

July 10th, 2023 by

There’s a new platform on the scene, and users have gone mad for it. Setting a new record of the most users joined in just over four days (over 100 million), it’s safe to say Threads, an Instagram app, has caused a big stir in the social world. But what is Threads?

What is Threads?

The simple answer to “what is Threads?” is: it’s Meta’s answer to Twitter. Confirmation for the Twitter-dupe came three months ago, and it was officially launched on 5th July. 

Threads is a free text-based conversation app that was designed to be an online space for communities to come together and discuss topics cared about  today, and what’s trending tomorrow. Users can connect with creators and others on a deeper level, directly building relationships and loyalty. 

Threads’ layout is similar to Twitter’s, with a few key elements currently missing. Users have their main feed which shows content from those they follow at the top, before showing related content they’ll enjoy—seemingly pulled from the verified accounts they follow on Instagram. Users can search for other accounts, create Threads, view activity, and their own profile page (which offers a direct link back to their Instagram account).

In terms of functionality, users can create threads (and post photos, videos, and links) and view replies, and like, comment, repost, quote, and share Threads created by other users. Symbols used are spectacularly similar to those on Twitter, so if you’re familiar with the good ole bird app, you’ll understand Threads. 

One key note is that any user on Threads can post a Thread with up to 500 characters, which is nearly double the 280 characters available on Twitter. 

What Threads is missing (at the moment), is a way to see what’s trending in thread conversations. Hashtags don’t appear to be functional on the platform at present, but we presume this will come with time given the importance of hashtags on Instagram. 

What is Threads’ appeal?

Given that Threads is essentially just another Twitter, why has it become so popular so quickly? 

There’s four main reasons why Threads is so hot right now. The first is because it was fuelled by Instagram’s massive pre-existing user base. When signing up, users had the option to link their Instagram and Threads follower lists, removing the major hassle of going through each account individually and deciding who to follow. Threads offers a new form of interaction with users, friends, creators and brands, offering more insight into their thoughts, opinions, and personalities. 

There is also seamless sharing between Instagram and Threads. As we already mentioned, users can combine their Threads and Instagram following, but Thread accounts are also linked on a users’ Instagram profile—although at present, it’s the number user you were when joining, rather than a handle. This link takes a user directly through to a Thread profile, and vice versa. In addition, users can easily share Threads to their own Instagram Stories, which creates a direct link to the Thread. This makes it incredibly easy for users on Instagram to experience Threads before creating an account, but also easy for users to discover new people to follow. 

The platform launch came at a tumultuous time for Twitter. Earlier in the week, Twitter had just introduced a new Tweet limit for all accounts in a bid to stop data mining. Verified accounts could view 8,000 tweets a day, unverified could view 800, and newly created unverified accounts could view 400. Naturally, users weren’t happy. While on Threads, users can’t quite search for trending conversations yet, they did have unlimited access to content on the platform. 

The final key reason it became popular is FOMO. No one likes being left out of the party or a joke, and that’s exactly what the first few days of Threads have been. A new platform means a new chance to make a statement and join in an exciting conversation. Brands and users that were first adopters would have benefited massively from the PR exposure, with Threads being shared on different platforms. 

What is Threads’ user base?

With over 100 million users, Threads’ user base is already huge. So huge, Zuckerberg himself said it went “way beyond our expectations.” 

Celebrities, political figureheads, creators, brands, shows, and casual users have already taken a place on the platform, and are creating and joining conversations. 

In order to have a Threads account, you need to have an Instagram account. When signing up, you can import all your information, including name, bio, and links from your Instagram profile. Annoyingly, if you want to delete your Threads account, at the moment, you have to delete your Instagram account too. 

What should your strategy be?

In reality, it’s far too early to distinguish a strategy. We don’t really know much about the platform, algorithm, or plans. 

For the moment, you should just play with the platform and see what resonates with your audience. 

Once more details on the algorithm and upcoming updates reveal themselves, then you can focus on developing a strategy that still resonates with Instagram audiences, but encourages more transparency and engagement. 

Is it here to stay?

There’s not been much revealed about what the future of the platform will look like, but we can make some educated guesses. 

We predict that Threads users will be able to access multiple accounts on a singular device, similar to the function that’s already present on Instagram. This will make social media managers’ lives significantly easier, and allow for more streamlined marketing. 

The second update we can visualise in three new main feeds that mirror Instagram’s. Currently, the for you is somewhat of a free for all, with those you follow shown at the top and the rest selected from those you follow on Instagram. We anticipate a Recommended feed, Following feed, and Favourites feed. 

The final update we expect soon is a trending news page. Adam Mosseri said he wants the platform to be a space where people can discuss what’s trending, but at the moment there’s no way to discover this. We expect the trending page to mirror Twitter’s—with a search function at the top, and trending topics listed below that direct users to the most popular and relevant Threads around said topic. 

As to whether Threads is here to stay, only time till well. Many platforms have opened sub-platforms only for them to be shut down (we all remember the BeReal sagas, right?). However, Threads does have a major advantage in drawing on its 2 billion monthly active worldwide users by allowing them to create accounts with their Instagram profiles. 

In addition to this, Meta extended early invites to popular businesses like Netflix to populate the platform before users joined. This meant users weren’t greeted with a tumbleweed crossing a desert. 

We think it has potential. The future will become more clear once the platform ties up a few loose threads in future updates.

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful

Posted in Industry Trends, News, Social Media Platforms, Social Trends