- L E S S O N S
- Posts
- “Long Press to Schedule Posts on Threads!”
“Long Press to Schedule Posts on Threads!”
Plus, grow your following with this tip from Adam Mosseri
Lennox Saint
December 29, 2023
Welcome to Issue #8 of How To Win Thriends!
I hope you had a Merry Threadmas and are ready for a rowdy New Years 🤪
A work of art is not an end point in itself. It’s a station on a journey. A chapter in our lives. We acknowledge these transitions by documenting each of them.
T H R E A D L I N E S 📌
TLDR:
@mosseri announced a Threads API is in the works about two months ago.
An API (Application Programming Interface) allows two apps to work together and share stuff they need.
Read API: retrieve or view existing data from an app.
e.g. third-party analytics tool
Write API: create, modify or delete data within an app.
e.g. third-party scheduling tool
Last week, one of the software engineers at Threads (@0xjessel) confirmed ‘we had our first successful posts created via the Threads API!’
This confirms what @mosseri has already noted: Threads is building a write API to begin with.
Why you should care:
If a write API is being tested, it will probably be launched soon.
When that happens, third-party publishing to Threads will be possible!
After the Threads team is content with the rollout of the write API, I think they’ll shift their focus to the read API.
And when the read API’s launched, we’ll start seeing third-party Threads analytics tools.
Exciting times! 🥳
Other updates
ICYMI: There was an overnight trend of ‘long press’ posts… I think this post was the original.
I’m gonna be real with you: I really struggled to find a typical tool and test for this week’s issue.
But I still wanted to provide value, and I think what follows delivers the goods.
So enjoy ☺️
Tool: Threads Dev Interviews (TDI)
What is it?
TDI is hosted by @ryan.swanstrom. In Ryan’s words:
I am finding developers on Threads and interviewing them, right on Threads.
Check out this interview as an example so you’ve got some context for the next section: ‘What this can do for you’.
What this can do for you
First and foremost, this is obviously for you if you’re a dev on Threads and haven’t encountered Ryan or TDI yet.
Strictly speaking, TDI isn’t a Threads tool.
But on a broader view, a tool is a thing you can use to create something.
Based on the broader view, TDI is a terrific tool because we can ‘use’ it as inspiration to create unique experiences on Threads.
What do I mean by this?
TDI uses the functionality of Threads to conduct interviews. This is unconventional, fun and interesting.
So, what can TDI do for you?
Prove that pushing the boundaries on Threads can make you stand out from the crowd.
e.g. I know Ryan as the guy who does Threads interviews.
Inspire you to try new formats.
e.g. What if you become known for a weekly thread post called ‘The 7 Coolest Things I’ve Learned This Week’?
The main post outlines the theme of the lesson and the day on which it was learned.
Each sub-post expands on the lesson.
Encourage you to leverage Threads to build something cool.
e.g. This newsletter!
Test: DON’T ENGAGE!
Normally this section of HTWT is retrospective. It summarises a test I or someone else (typically @datadrivenmd) has already conducted.
This week, the test is proactive. It’s something we’re going to conduct over the next 7 days (at least).
And it’s inspired by a dear thriend, @tracymarshalldesign
In Tracy’s own words:
People are posting shite that riles everyone up on purpose for engagement.✨ The Test: To not engage. To move along and forget about it. To be better. To block instead of commenting. People are failing 😅
Over the next week, think twice before engaging with a post that pisses you off.
Screenshotting, liking, spending lots of time reading the post and/or its replies, replying — all of that stuff is ‘engaging with the post’ and tells the algorithm you’re interested in it.
I.e. you’re telling the algorithm to show you more of it.
That’s okay if you actually want to see more of that content.
But if you don’t, the best thing to do is:
Keep scrolling and don’t give the post any attention
Do this if: you like most of the creator’s posts, and want to continue following them but don’t like this specific post.
Block the creator
Do this if: you don’t like the creator’s posts and will be happy not to see any of their content on your feed anymore.
The best experience on Threads is an intentional one.
Use those simple tips (keep scrolling; block) to curate your feed and engage in the conversations you really care about.
Key Takeaways
Each post:
Addresses a shared pain point
Tackles the perceived decline in content quality and the rise of negativity.
Satirizes hustle culture on Threads.
Acknowledges user fatigue with common post structures.
👉 All three posts tap into existing frustrations on Threads. They resonate with users who’ve had similar experiences and foster a sense of community and validation.
Offers strong opinions and solutions
“The quality of the content on this platform is plummeting… [problem] the only solution to the problem is blocking such accounts immediately [solution].”
The productivity routine is excessive and satirical. It highlights the toxic side of hustle culture [problem] and impliedly encourages readers to reflect on the toll it can take [solution].
“Stop posting educational content… [problem] Instead swap them out for 2024’s era of educational content [solution]”.
👉 Strong stances are conversation starters! People who agree and disagree are compelled to engage with the content. Threaders can also provide value to their audiences by sharing the solutions these posts offer.
Leverages humour and surprise
“hidey-hole for goblins known as Twitter”
The absurd morning routine generates laughs and discussion.
The bottom half of the post is surprisingly useful by offering a shared mission for creators.
👉 Humour and surprise can break through the noise on social media and deliver a clear signal.
