Using social media might feel intimidating, but it's easier than you might think! Here are some quick tips to keep in mind that are applicable to most social media platforms.
- Hold your phone vertically when taking photos or videos for TikTok or Instagram. If you're intending on posting videos on Youtube or Twitter, it is best to film landscape.
- Check that whatever you're capturing won't get you into trouble. For example, does your combine harvester have guards on? Do your animals have visible ear tags?
- If you're going to be visible, consider what you're wearing. It doesn't have to be a fashion show, but making sure you look presentable and professional will help portray you and your business in the best light.
- Tag us, and use our #BackBritishFarming hashtag.
Get involved in #farm24
Farm24 is Farmers Guardian’s 24-hour digital celebration of all things British farming, showcasing the incredible work farmers do every day. Throughout the day, farmers from right across the country share behind-the-scenes moments from life on the farm, making it the perfect opportunity to try your hand at creating user-generated content and telling your story.
To find out more and download your pledge, visit: Farm24 | Farmers Guardian
If you're taking part, remember to tag us @NFULife on Instagram and @NFUNationalFarmersUnion on Facebook and use the hashtags #farm24 #BackBritishFarming so we can reshare your content.
Video
With over 1 billion people using TikTok each month, videos have become the best way of getting your message out there. With attention spans getting shorter and shorter, it's now even more important that your videos are engaging. Here's a few simple things that will help get your content seen:
- Ideally, ask someone else to film you.
- Make sure you fill the screen. Don't stand too close or too far away from the phone.
- Don't move the camera too fast.
- Don't save the best till last. Make sure you include the most interesting part of the video in the first three seconds to keep viewers watching.
- Beware of background noise, such as animals, traffic and wind.
- Make sure the lighting is good.
- Keep the videos short and snappy.
Checklist before you post
- Are you happy with how you look?
- Can you hear what you're saying clearly?
- Are you showcasing something interesting and legal?
- Have you tagged the NFU's accounts and used the #BackBritishFarming hashtag?
Staying safe on social
Our activism guidance contains information about social media and online security. It outlines steps you can take if you are victim of online abuse, and what you can do to control your social media privacy. Visit: Guidance on activism – social media and online security.
Sending us content
The NFU runs campaigns and competitions that highlight the brilliant work that NFU members do across Britain. If you'd like to get involved, but would rather not use your own accounts, simply email [email protected] and we'll reply with a way to securely send in videos. Please do not send videos directly to this address.
Follow the NFU
The NFU uses social media to make sure that rural perspectives are included in contemporary debates and to champion British farming. You can keep up to date with our work by giving our accounts a follow.
Member channels:
- Twitter – NFUtweets
- LinkedIn – National Farmers' Union
- Facebook – NFU – National Farmers’ Union
- Instagram – @NFULife
Public channels:
- Facebook – Back British Farming NFU
- Instagram – @BackBritishFarmingNFU
- Tik Tok – @BackBritishFarmingNFU
Watch third-generation tomato grower Chaz's TikTok video on the NFU's Back British Farming channel
