If you are thinking about getting into social media to share what is happening on your farm, you are probably wondering which platforms are best to reach consumers.
Should you use Facebook, or is it just for older generations?
Maybe you should try Instagram, or is that just for celebrities, social media influencers, and foodies?
TikTok looks like fun, but do you have to do all the trends and challenges?
Isn't Twitter just full of snarkiness and fighting?
Is YouTube even considered social media?
Social media is being used by 82 percent of the U.S. population, so the audience you are wanting to reach is probably using one of these platforms. Therefore, the decision on which platform to use is up to you. Here’s a quick breakdown of each platform.
- Video is the best way to share
- 2.85 billion monthly active users
- A lot of different ways to connect and engage
- Strong advertising features
- You can monetize as a Facebook creator
Farmer examples to check out and follow:
- Video and photography are both strong ways to share
- 1.4 billion active monthly users
- Strong engagement with Reels
- Advertise via Facebook into Instagram
- You can monetize as an Instagram influencer
Farmer examples to check out and follow:
TikTok
- Video is the only way to share
- 1 billion active monthly users but growing quickly
- Ability to go viral is much higher
- New advertising tools
- Monetization is low
Farmer examples to check out and follow:
- Limited text, video, or photo to share
- More conversation
- 400 million monthly active users
- Monetization through partnerships or ads
Farmer examples to check out and follow:
YouTube
- 2.1 billion monthly active users and still growing
- New ways to share video with shorts
- Can advertise
- Can monetize as a YouTube Creator
Farmer examples to check out and follow:
The main thing is to select a platform that makes sense to you and that you will enjoy because if you don't have fun with it, it will become a chore that you will keep putting off until tomorrow.
To learn more about your national and local dairy checkoffs, visit www.USDairy.com or send a request to join our Dairy Checkoff Facebook group.
The author is a Senior Vice President of Digital Initiatives at Dairy Management Inc.