Who is an influencer? Naturally, when we think of the term “influencer” we imagine a celebrity – someone with a lot of power, opinions and a high following. While these public figures are technically influencers, they are not the sole definition of the word.
Influencers are simply people that influence another. Think of the influencers in your life. Are they all famous? They certainly do not have to be. Influencers can be your spouse, a neighbor or the mentor in your life you always admired.
Have you ever considered that maybe you are an influencer in someone else’s eyes? Anyone can be an influencer, especially with the tools that social media can provide. As an expert in the dairy industry, it is important that you get your message out and become an influencer whether that is on a large or small scale.
The biggest dairy influencers are rooted in sharing the basics of their operations and walking their audience through the daily tasks of farm life. From Twitter to TikTok, each platform has a specific audience and environment. Which one is the right fit for you?
Facebook:
Facebook is about real life. The struggles. The happy moments. The truth. Oregon Dairy Farmer Derrick Josi swears by the truth on his Facebook page named TDF Honest Farming.
Josi’s platform started by passively addressing animal activists. He became notably popular for confronting his Jersey herd face-to-face. Soon enough, this became a series of videos and the audience loved seeing the cattle surround their owner with anticipation and hearing the humor Josi used.
If you like this content, also check out The Farmer’s Wifee, Peterson Farm Bros, Dairy Dad, & New Mexico Milk Maid.
TikTok:
Known for music and dance, TikTok is a rapidly growing platform. Since its initial start, the platform has shifted from its original image of teenagers dancing to a platform for anyone of any interest. TikTok is a place for varying perspectives and lively debate making it a great tool for dairy farmers with tough skin and a level head.
Dan Venteicher, also known as Iowa Dairy Farmer on TikTok, uses the platform to address common misconception, answer questions and often oppose those that go against animal agriculture. While you will rarely see Venteicher dancing on his profile, you will probably catch him participating in popular trends to get his point across and stay relevant.
If you like this content, also check out Megan_DairyGirl, MVPDairy, tr_jones7 and NYFarmGirls.
Instagram:
What’s the saying? Ah yes…”A picture is worth a thousand words.” True or not, that is the story for Instagram. The platform is about lifestyle and showing the beautiful moments within each day.
Three sisters (Evelyn, Claudia and Jojo Leubner), who refer to themselves as the New York Farm Girls, capture their life on the farm with pictures. Not only is their feed aesthetically pleasing, but their content is fun. Each sister has their own specialty between calf rearing, cow health and crop production. They tag team their social media and post farm updates in their realm of expertise.
If you like this content, also check out GilmerDairy, SeeJessFarm, IDDairyGirl and DairyGirlFitness.
Twitter:
How much can you say in 280 characters? While the posts aren’t lengthy, the content is packed with personality, perspective, and live action. Users gravitate toward the “Twitterverse” to be up to date on current events and hear the opinions of their favorite influencers.
Witty, short, and to the point – that’s how Washington Dairy Farmer Dwayne Faber keeps his feed. Faber’s approach to Twitter is similar to a ‘microblog’ where he posts daily updates about farm life, fatherhood and being an outdoorsman. Sprinkled in are also retweets concerned with politics, markets and simple humor.
If you like this content, also check out Derrick Josi, Don Schindler and FarmerNate.
Youtube:
Ever heard of the term ‘Vlogging’? It’s the combination of the words ‘video’ and ‘blogging,’ and some dairy farmers have been using vlogging to connect with fellow farmers and those new to the industry.
Who would have ever guessed that a video about corn silage harvest would garner 5.8 million views? Pennsylvania dairy farmer Eric Weaver started his Youtube channel, 10th Generation Dairyman, in 2018. Milking 200 cows, he shared that he enjoys showing the public all that happens on the farm, especially as he noticed farms his size aren’t so active on social media. “The page became a way to show the public what real dairy farming is like and show that we try to take good care of our animals,” said Weaver in a recent interview with Progressive Dairy.
If you like this content, also check out Kip Siegler Farming, Millennial Farmer, and SaskDutch Kid
*Stayed tuned for tips on other platforms coming soon*
