IMPROVING YOUR GRID GAME

KEEP CONTENT INTERESTING

There is no rule on how much post, but only share things you find interesting. You will talk more passionately and followers will be more invested if you are enthusiastic. If I’m doing something I would happily watch on someone else’s story, I’ll share it. BE HONEST

No one’s farm or life is perfect. You will be a lot more relatable and get more respect from people if you show the realities of your life. For example, during my first lambing season this year I lost lambs, but I shared what happened and how I dealt with it with my followers. INTERACT WITH FOLLOWERS

There is an amazing community of farmers online, so interact with them and join in with trends. A great way to get to know people is by responding to their stories and commenting on their posts, this will also help more people find your account.

MIX UP THE ANGLES OF YOUR PHOTOS

Try thinking outside the box. I have been known to lie on the floor to get a shot of my lambs looking down at me. Also, to save trying to rest your phone on a lick bucket, a mini tripod is great for when no one is around to take a photo of you.

USE CAPTIONS

When you do a talking story, type out what you’ve said or use the auto caption option. A lot of people tend to watch stories in silence, and could therefore miss what you’re saying. In addition, this makes your story inclusive for everyone.

NFU Student and Young Farmer Ambassador Karl Franklin has more than 6,000 followers on Instagram and shares his top 10 tips for promoting farming on social media

USE HASHTAGS

Hashtags are an amazing tool to reach a wider audience and find people who post similar things to yourself. If you include hashtags in your captions, it means that the people who follow those hashtags who may not follow you will also see your post.

BE A ROLE MODEL

You never know who might be watching your stories or viewing your posts. It’s very important to consider the example you are setting for young farmers and viewers, always stick to farm safety and be respectful to others.

DON’T LISTEN TO TROLLS

Don’t waste your time on negative people! Simply delete their comments/messages and block them. There are so many people who genuinely want to learn about you and your farm, put your energy and time into them and forget about the others. TRY TO KEEP VIDEOS DOWN TO AROUND THREE STORIES (45 SECONDS) LONG

When you’re talking about one particular subject, try and keep it within three stories in order to keep your followers engaged. People may become less interested if you talk for too long. BE ENTERTAINING AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL

People go to social media as an escape so always try to make them smile, even if that means making a fool of yourself! I think people take important messages on board more often when they’re put across in a light-hearted manner.