Threads vs. Twitter (should I stay or should I go?)
Lisa Hirst Carnes | July 2023
It’s no secret that Twitter has had some challenges with Elon Musk at the helm. Us ArcStonians have recounted the Twitter saga and subsequent mass exodus over the last few months. Users have fled to Mastodon, Post, Blue Sky, and others. But now, users have another option.
If you’ve used Twitter, Threads will look familiar, and you’ll find it easy to use.
Threads is a social media platform for sharing photos and messages with friends. Sounds familiar? You can also post on your story and chat with friends in private groups or one-on-one.
According to Meta:
“Our vision with Threads is to take what Instagram does best and expand that to text, creating a positive and creative space to express your ideas. “
Should I stay or should I go?
Many clients have asked our advice on whether to stay on Twitter.
When considering whether or not an organization should leave Twitter, there are a few key factors to consider.
First, is your organization’s presence on Twitter helping it achieve its goals? Is it helping you build relationships with potential donors or community members? If the answer is no, it may be worth considering leaving the platform.
Second, is Twitter still an effective tool for communication? Can you get your message across in a way that resonates with users? If not, then it might be best to explore other options.
Finally, what are the benefits of staying on Twitter versus leaving? Are there any advantages to staying? If so, then it may be worth staying on the platform.
Avoid falling prey to the sunk cost fallacy when evaluating whether to leave Twitter.
The sunk cost fallacy is a cognitive bias that affects decision-making. It occurs when an individual has already invested time, money or effort into something and continues to persist, even if it is no longer beneficial. This could be due to an emotional attachment or a refusal to accept a loss.
Suppose an organization has spent time and money on a Twitter account but is no longer seeing any benefit. In that case, they may continue to invest in the platform despite it not benefitting them. This would be an example of the sunk cost fallacy at play.
It’s crucial to be aware of the sunk cost fallacy and avoid falling into its trap. It may be difficult to accept that a venture has failed and take its losses. The best decision in these situations is often to cut your losses and move on. Only by doing so can an organization ensure that it uses its resources for activities that will be successful.
Deciding whether to leave Twitter is personal and should depend on your objectives.
Should my organization get on Threads?
