How to Make Your Social Media Organic

With this summer’s drought and extreme weather conditions what are Indiana farmers and farmers all over the country to do?  Some smaller, non-commodity farmers have turned to social media, using channels like Facebook and Twitter to connect with consumers, leverage dollars and create support groups.  These farmers not only understand the value of small, organic farms, they recognize the usefulness of social media.

Here are some small, organic farming practices you can apply to your social media strategy:

• Crop rotation: Small, organic farmers don’t grow the same type of crop over and over again.  This would deplete the soil and prevent them from growing anything in the future.

Your social media strategy should include a variety of types of posts and channels in order to keep your audience interested. Your brand shouldn’t be using social media to sell! sell! sell!, which could turn consumers off, but to engage with them.

• Compost: Compost is useful on small farms for many reasons, but a major reason it is used is to replenish and nourish the land.

Your brand should make use of social media compost by spending time revamping and nourishing your strategy.  If your strategy is working, good.  Keep looking for ways to make it better. If it’s not working, give your strategy some love and attention (or social media compost) so that your customers become re-engaged.

• No synthetic fertilizers or pesticides: Small, organic farming relies on natural processes instead of unnatural inputs to promote better quality soil and food.

Social media is organic, just like soil and food that aren’t treated with fertilizers and pesticides.  Good social media managers understand how to respond to real time conversations and even spark conversations themselves so that consumers have a more real connection with the brand.

• Be sustainable: Small, organic farmers want their agricultural practices to be able to continue into the future.

Your brand should too.  Practice responsible social media management and you’re likely to create loyal fans and followers who engage with and promote your brand into the future.  

Learn more about our programs and how we can help make your social media strategy more organic and sustainable.