Suzanne Chadwick
Hey, lovelies, welcome back to the podcast. awesome to have you here. I hope that you are doing well as I'm recording this. And the week that this is going live. We are just coming back out of school holidays here in Victoria in Australia, and so feeling ready to jump back into it. So if you've been on holidays, I hope you're doing well. No matter where you are in the world. I am seeing everybody on European holidays. I'm very jealous. They look amazing. And it's summer in the US. And we're just trying to get through winter here in Australia, so. So wherever you're doing, wherever you are, I hope that you are having fun. And you're doing well. Yeah. So listen, today, I'm actually going to be talking about Instagram threads. So as I'm recording this, it is the 10th of July 2023 Instagram threads dropped last week, I want to say maybe Thursday, Wednesday or Thursday. And so I just wanted to share some thoughts and reflections on it. It's only been around a couple of days. So there are no experts or you know how to choose. But I'm just going to share what I've found and how I'm thinking about it. And whether it's something you might want to consider or not. Once again, I'm never going to say to you, you need to do this. But I think it's good for us to understand the lay of the land so that we can know what could be a great fit for us and what may not be as well. So that's what we're going to talk about today. I also just want to remind you that if you have not subscribed to the podcast, if you have not subscribe to my epic a community email, then make sure that you do you just have to go to Suzanne chadwick.com forward slash subscribe, and you will get weekly inspiration, great business tips, you'll get the podcast straight to your email so that you don't miss it. As well as anything else that is happening. I'm actually going to be hosting a free coaching session for my email community, my epic email community this week. So if you want to find out about that, then make sure you go and subscribe. I'll be sending out another email before that happens at the end of the week. So one of the things I'm really focusing on is connection and community not just getting people who come and sign up to my email, but actually getting to know people's doing things that allow me to interact with you as well. And so if that's something that you want to do, then make sure you head over and that you subscribe today. But listen, let's dive into this week's episode. So as most of you probably know, if you are in the social spaces, Instagram dropped a new platform last week from the time that I am recording this episode. So I'm not here to tell you what to do or how to use it because it's been less than a week, but I wanted to share my thoughts and reflections on it. So let's take a look at what it is and the week in reflection. So I'm just going to start at the beginning what is threads. So threads is an app from Instagram where you can post threads, which is basically like a comment, reply to others and follow profiles you're interested in. So threads, and replies can include short pieces of text links, photos, videos, or any combination of them. So people can also follow you to see your threads and reply in their feed and from your profile as well. So over the weekend, it actually hit 90 million users. And it was really interesting because Gary Vee posted a video about this. And he said, it's probably the first time that a platform has taken its already existing massive user base and moved it over to a new platform, which is why the adoption has been so huge and seamless for Instagram. So when you go to threads.net, you can copy your current Instagram across so your username, your profile and your followers if you want. So at first glance on day one of threads, it was pretty hectic. Yeah. Everybody was like, What is this? This is like crazy. And it has the same look and feel as Twitter with a constant stream of comments. So I used to use Twitter like a million years ago, so it felt really familiar and easy to me. I actually used to use Twitter for when I was in a corporate job as a recruiter. It was one of the first platforms that we actually use, we got onto Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and we were using it to like, connect and find professionals. So Twitter actually feels pretty familiar. And I think that one of the things about threads is that you don't have to go and like, create Canva images, you don't have to create videos, it's just snippets of your thoughts. And you can ask questions, you can join in other people's conversations. So it's super easy to get started. And I think that's why, number one, obviously, just being able to copy your Instagram straight across was path of least resistance, there was no friction, you didn't have to like go and sign up for it, etc, it was just really easy to start connecting with people who you already know. So right now, my reflections on the do's and don'ts as far as the platform goes, and can I just say this will probably change. But right now, it's really interesting to see how the culture has very quickly been established. And there's also I'm gonna say expectations or judgments about what people want from it, compared to the other platforms as well. So some of the do's when it comes to threads, is say, hi, go and find your favorite people and have chats. So one of the great things is that, you know, people who I know on Instagram, I know their handle, I know what they do. This is like a completely different place just to have a casual conversation, where I would not be having that kind of casual conversation with them over on Instagram. So it's a real opportunity for us to get to know one another on a much deeper level. And also, it's not just about business. In fact, it's like business is almost secondary. Yes. So brand personality is the number one thing and just getting to know people on a personal level. So do's as well, you don't always have to be the one coming up with a conversation, you can just join other people's conversations. Because I know that right now, there are a lot of people that have stage fright, where it's like, I don't know of anything funny or witty to say. And it's not about that, like you can go and find other people's conversations and just kind of become part of that. Another do is find your community. So it's been really great to see artists and designers find one another and have conversations that are very niche to their space, seen a lot of conversations about art and designers talking about funds or you know, design etiquette and all the rest of it. And I also think you know, just have fun and don't overthink it. Another thing is to feel free to call out to who you want to be connecting with. So I've seen things like if you're an artist, introduce yourself here, and let's connect type posts. And I know that a number of artists have said to me, it's been so amazing. I've connected with so many other artists who I didn't even know before now, I personally joined the Kajabi feed and said hi to people, because they were like, if you're a Kajabi user, like, you know, say hi and connect with one another. You don't have to be funny, you just have to be you. So those are some do's I think it's just you know, go and play, have real conversations, join communities, be okay joining other people's chats, share your thoughts, ask questions. So, you know, one of the things that I've done as well is that if I found somebody who I really like, then I've actually gone and taken a look at who they follow. And then I've gone and followed some of those people as well. So for me right now, one of the things that I'm really focusing on is how am I connecting with new people? What new conversations could I be having? How am I having more in depth conversations with the people I already know and have connections with? And I think one of the things that I'm really loving as well is that, you know, there are people who like I said before, I've been connected to an Instagram for a long time. But I'm just finding them really funny, or I'm getting to know them. And I'm just like, I really like you. I

think you're really cool. So I think that that's been a really great thing as well. So some of the don'ts right now, but like I said, I think this will change. And it'll be really interesting to see how this starts to evolve over time because it's literally been awake. So some of the things that are not really happening over there right now is hardcore marketing yourself. Yeah, pretending to be an expert or a guru doesn't really go very well because people will just want to connect with the person behind the brand. And also the other thing is, people don't want to see the same content that they're seeing on other platforms. So I think that that's definitely been kind of made aware very, very soon and very quickly, is if we see people that are just posting their tiktoks or their Instagram reels or whatever over on threads. It's like not going down well because people Like, we're here to have a conversation, we're not here to just see the same content that you're posting in other places, here. So it's been really interesting to see people's reactions, I would say don't have any expectations, it could be here for a good time, or it could be here for a long time. But it doesn't really matter. I shared this on my Instagram as well is that, you know, I've met some amazing people, I did meet some amazing people on clubhouse. And I was only on there for nine months or so. But they're people who I still have relationships with now. And it's really interesting, because I'm now connecting with them on threads too. So threads could be the next big thing, or it could be a flash in the pan. But don't overthink it. I think that you know, social platforms will come and go and some you'll spend more time on. So for example, one of the girls on threads was saying to me that she started using laminate. Now I never even got on to laminate. And some people might just be going, Susan, what, what even is eliminate, which is lemon, and then the number eight, and it was an app that was kind of pretty much like Instagram, and it was kind of being held up as the next big thing. And I checked it out. And I just thought I don't need another Instagram, I don't need another place to create pay basically the same kind of content. And so I just didn't even go over there. But I think that that's kind of been a bit of a flash in the pan, because apparently, people just started marketing on it as per usual with all the other platforms. And then I don't know that it's really taken off the way that maybe people thought it was going to. Another thing is don't be tone deaf and read the room. So I think with any platform, it's good to check out the culture. Like I said, the culture might change. But right now, it's kind of high vibes, fun interactions, honest conversations. And as I said before, just don't post exactly the same as what you're posting on other platforms, because people really want to get to know you. And I think one of the things that I'm really liking as well is, for example, I really love diaries of a CEO, which is a podcast, and the guy that runs it, he is on threads, and Gary Vee is there as well. And they're actually replying to comments like they're joining the conversation. And so I think one of the things that it could do is that if you actually want to have a conversation with people who you admire people who you really like people who you follow, they're they're having real conversations. And I think that's amazing, I think that the reach that you can have on this right now is pretty amazing. And so that could be another really great opportunity. But those are just some of the do's and don'ts that I think I am seeing on the platform at the moment. Who knows what will happen. So let's talk about the potential opportunity that I see with threads. And I think the potential opportunity is really about brand personality. So threads could be a place for you to share your brand personality, your thought leadership, your thoughts in general, both on a personal and professional basis. So you know, people are like, oh, you know, I need to bake my child, a unicorn cake, you know, any tips, that sort of thing. But then also, there's business tips. And there's just conversations about things that are happening in people's lives. And so personally, I'm thinking about it a bit more like the written version of Instagram stories. It's a behind the brand approach is what I'm thinking. So what am I up to? What am I reading, listening to thinking about? Who am I having great conversations with, I've been really opening to discovering new people and following new people on threads in the last few days. Plus, having conversations with people I already know which has been great. The thing is that on tick tock, it feels like you have to teach something, that's what I'm feeling when I'm over there. Like it's either entertaining, or if you're looking at it from a business perspective, then it's kind of a bit more teaching on Instagram, it's the bit the same, but more curated, whereas on threads, it just feels a lot more chilled. It feels like easy just to post what you're thinking, you know, even something like this morning, I just posted for anybody who's got a podcast, you know, have you what are the different ways that you've celebrated milestones? We're about to hit three 100 episodes on the brandbuilders Lab, which I'm really proud of, you know, we'd love any ideas. Like that's the kind of thing that I'm asking, or I'm sharing, you know, did my Motivation Monday in the BBA, you know, Facebook group this morning, and we talked about energy audits, is that something that you do, and then people reply to that. And so it can just be like general chitchat that you're sharing, but it just starts the conversation. So it's not really a place to sell right now. It's actually highly discouraged. And I think people are a bit tired of everything being a marketing tool, but as they say, marketers ruin every platform. So I'm sure we'll get there. ventually. But saying that I actually think that this is where your personal brand will sell for you without you actually having to overtly sell. Like, if you share really great content. And I have found this, you know, I love to watch my own behavior on platforms. So my behavior has been somebody's commented or left like a really great comment on one of my threads. That's what we're calling it, one of my threads, and then I go, and I check them out, I check out their bio, and then I'm like, check out some of their threads as well, I might follow them, I might go over to their Instagram and check them out. So I think that he Are you may not need to sell, I think that if you can really share your personality, you can share insights, thought leadership, all the rest of it, and do it in a really chilled and casual way without being preachy and TV, but more sharing just your thinking and engaging with people in a real way, I think that will sell for you. Like, you know, at the end of the day, this is an Instagram product, they have said they're not going to monetize it until it hits a billion followers, which you know, could get do. But it's not something that they're looking at right now. There's no DMS, there's no hashtags. And so I think this is an opportunity for you to connect with some new people, so that they can find out more about you as well. So I'm definitely really going to be looking at how I think about this as far as how it fits into my content ecosystem. So like I said before, tick tock, I like teach more, I think it's great for engaging with people, I think that I'm really going to look at how I'm realigning with Instagram and how I'm managing my thinking around Instagram, because I spent so much time and effort over on Instagram, building a community and followers. And so I know that it can convert for me, I know that it can really help me reach new people. So I am looking at what is my Instagram strategy right now? What how else can I be thinking about this? And really looking at how threads can fit into that ecosystem? So if I've already got relationships with people on Instagram, how am I now having a better conversation with them over on threads? That's how I'm thinking about this. And so I'm actually seeking out people who I like on Instagram, to go and take a look at the conversations I could potentially have with them as well. I think one of the things that's going to be important on threads is curating your feed as well. So making sure that, you know, if I've been pretty cutthroat with, you know, if there's things coming up in my feed, where I'm just like, that doesn't resonate for me. I'm just unfollowing people, or I'm meeting them, but mainly unfollowing them. And so I think if you can be really deliberate with who you're following the conversations you want to have, I think that then it could be a place where you enjoy being and I almost feel like I probably need to go back to my Instagram and do that as well. Because what I found is, you know, one of the reasons why I don't love LinkedIn is because the majority of my followers over there, and the people who I follow come from a HR and recruitment background, which was like way back in the day. And so I don't find it interesting anymore. I don't find my Wi Fi that interesting. And so it really is up to us to curate our spaces. So the question, there's a couple of questions here is,

Who am I following? Is this energizing me is are these the conversations that I want to have? And then the second thing is, what energy am I bringing to this? Like, am I being myself here? Do I feel like I need to follow a formula, am I able to share the things that I really want to share. And so I think that we've got to be responsible for the spaces that we're curating, and also how we're showing up in those spaces as well. And so, as I said before, I think threads is really for showcasing your brand personality, your sense of humor or things that interest you. And I think it's a really great place for community and connection as well. So I think that that's probably the next thing I would expect to see. One of the things I saw was somebody's like account of Friday morning at 930. Let's all jump on, like if you're an artist, or if you're a copywriter or whatever. And let's like have a conversation. And so I think one of the things that could happen is, is that we could start to see, like regular connection points on threads where it's like, I know that on a Monday morning, I want to go and connect with my community because they're all going to be on this particular thread, you know, at this time, etc. So I think that that could eventually become something as well. But I really loved alternate time dot Chelsea shared something that really stood out to me which I reshard as well or I read through I did. Like, there's a whole new lingo as well. So she said number one, some of the experts we are following have no idea how to human, this was some insights that she had. Number two, some of the humans I know are even more incredible and funny than I thought. And number three marketing on this app will be really difficult if human connection is not your wheelhouse. And I think that that was really interesting. I think that people who are just resharing things from other platforms are not really thinking about, like, why this platform is there, how they can use it. And I think that that's probably a negative, like reflection on them not thinking about it, I think that you can really show your personality. And I also think that if you are somebody who loves to deeply connect and have conversations, and share your thoughts, then I think that threads could be a really amazing platform for you. And, you know, I just think we've always got to be asking ourselves, where am I in flow? And I know I've shared this with you before. But if you go somewhere, and you're like, Oh, this feels good, then I think it's always worth exploring it and not overthinking, how long will this be here? How long will it be till people start marketing? You know, like, what else is gonna go wrong with it? And I think we're so a lot of times, this was some of the conversations that I saw, we're so focused on like, when it's all gonna go wrong. Just thing, why don't we just enjoy what it is now, you know, have no expectations of it just be somebody who's an explorer, somebody who, you know, invests positive energy into the things that they create the conversations that they have, the relationships that they build, and like I said, about clubhouse, it's like, you could be there for, you know, a good time or not a long time and still make incredible friendships, incredible connections, I got a lot of clients from Cloud house in a very short period of time. Yeah. And it wasn't like, here's my thing, by it, it was sharing my thoughts, my ideas, my insights, my experience. And so I feel like you know, threads is almost like a text version of a little bit about what clubhouse used to be. And so whilst it's still in its early days, I really wanted to share my thoughts with you. I don't have an opinion about whether you should use it or not, as I know that people get really overwhelmed with these things. But I think that the one question to ask yourself is, do you feel connected? Do you feel like there is somewhere that you can have deeper conversations and connections with your community? Now, if I'm honest, I don't feel like I really have that. I feel like I've got that in stories like in Instagram Stories, where I do my stories, I get DMS, I get, you know, a lot of conversation happening there. But I don't feel like there's this authentic, relaxed, like real opportunity to have a great conversation anywhere. I feel like we're almost speaking at people, a lot of the time like speaking at people on Instagram, speaking at people on tickets, speaking at people on LinkedIn. And so I think that that's why this feels like a really nice place to be. The other thing that I would say about it as well is that I feel like it was really hectic in the first few days. But now it feels okay to me. So you know, because everybody was so excited about it. But now I kind of get on in the morning and I share some thoughts and then I might pop on at lunchtime or something. I would love it to have a desktop version. I'm such a desktop girl. But I think that if you love conversation, and I think if you want to get to know people and be able to have that interaction with them, then I would recommend you try threads out. So the other thing that people have kind of been up in arms about a little bit is that right now, when you create a threads account, and they said that they will change this. But when you create a threads account, you can't delete your threads account without deleting your Instagram account, because they're basically kind of the one account, which is why you can automatically copy your username, your profile and everything else you'll follow us across, because it's one account. So that's just one thing that they're like, we'll work it out so that you know, they end up being separate. But you can always put your threads account on private, you can delete any threads that you've created. You just can't delete the account. So that's just a little by the by to be aware of. I really don't think anything about it. I'm just like, I'm sure I've created social media profiles on other platforms that I now no longer use. So it's just really interesting to see how this will evolve as well. And I think that it's pretty much you know, on track to surpass Twitter, but it's really great like I said, to see so many, I guess bigger names on there. just interacting and chatting with people and that sort of thing. So if you enjoy the conversation, then definitely check it out. And if you do check it out, and you want to come and connect them as on all my platforms. I'm still at Suzanne Chadwick so threads.net, forward slash at Suzanne Chadwick and come and say hi. And if you've got any questions, you can DM me on Instagram, or let me know. But I thought I just wanted to share some of my thoughts with you today on the podcast. And I'd love to know if you're using it, what your thoughts are, and any insights that you've had, or any thoughts you've got about where it's going, and how it's gonna evolve to. But listen, I hope that that was helpful if this is new to you, which obviously it's new to all of us. And whether you're considering getting on or not, then those are just some of the things that I've observed over the past week. But listen, have an amazing rest of your week and I will see you next time on the podcast.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai