How to write an #agblog - agriculture blog Part 2

Telling our story

In the past 60 days numerous other agriculture blogs have popped up, which is great for two reasons. 1. Farmers and rancher are becoming better advocates, and I think are realizing that it is important to tell our agriculture story. 2. For consumers you are going to get a better look at where you food comes from, and the people raising it without even leaving your kitchen table.

Last time I had a few tips on starting an #agblog (really these tips can be applied to any blog) and now I am excited about another resource you can use to help you get that blog off the ground. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Young Producer Council (YPC) have put together a series of social media guide including a "How to Guide for Beef Bloggers." I was fortuante enough to be able to work on this project lead by Cari Rinicker, with contributions also made by Chelsea Good, Sharon Briener and Erica Beck.

A subject that I touched on is a questions I get quite often - are people really reading my blog? There are a couple things to remember.

1. First off I think it is best when you are blogging for yourself. You will get much enjoyment out of your blog if you aren't writing for the comments.

2. However, it is nice to get a little encouragement once in awhile. Be sure to add Google Analytics to your blog. Only about one percent of blogger comment. Adding Google Analytics will allow you to know how many people are reading your blog and where the are finding (from link on your facebook page, twitter, a chat board etc.)

3. Make it easy to comment. About six months ago I allowed anonymous comments to be posted to my blog. Some people are going to want to interact with you, but not create an account to comment. Ninety percent of my anonymous commenters have left their name anyways. Also, I have removed the security word that you have to type in after leaving a comment. The security word is to protect against spam, however I have only had one spam comment and I was able to delete it easily. You want your readers to be able to comment as quickly and easily as possible.

4. Interact with your readers. Make sure you respond to their comments and say thank-you. Blogging is about a community, interacting and networking with others.

These are just a couple tips. I you have other tips or questions I would love to hear them! And for more advice visit the How to Blog Tab at the top of my Blog.

Social Media consumes my life

Well almost...

A little while ago I wrote about the original social network, but this video is a great example of where things are going and why we need to be plugged in. Hard to believe that six years ago Myspace, Facebook and Twitter didn't even exist. Yes, I went through my first two years of college without Facebook, how did I ever survive?!

The Best Social Network out there revealed!

... I am letting the cat out of the bag.
Well the Royal is over. And once again it  proved to me that it really is one of my favorite shows. When I was leaving the grounds on Sunday afternoon, I had just spent three days with some of my best friends, met some amazing people, got to watch champions be selected, feel the excitement in the air, watch a great Simmental show, see some awesome heifer prospects, it was 70 degrees, the sun was shining and I am one lucky girl because I don't think I could have had a better weekend.

It was funny because right before I left for the Royal I came across an awesome article in The Showtimes magazine, called "Original Social Network," by Kassi Bauman. Kassi makes a great point in her story - that like so many of us on an average day she can be found, "Facebooking, Tweeting, texting, streaming Netflix movies, emailing and Googling or any combination thereof..." but, "I’ve found that nothing’s better than connecting with the original social network--my Charolais family--every summer at Junior Nationals."

Her article goes on to stress the benefits of being involved in competition and the friendship we make on the show road. It is really true that some of my best friends are the people that I might only see a couple times a year. They get me, they get my passions, and even though they may live in another state or another country for that matter, if I ever needed anything they would be the first people there.

I am working on all the stories and getting all the pictures rounded up from this weekend, and although I will share them through my blog and on Facebook, that make up area, backdrop and sitting on the tack box will still always be number one!

--Thanks to Kassi, and Brian Reif at The Showtimes, for letting me use part of the article. If you wish to read the full story you can find it online, in the Summer 2009 Edition. Definitely a magazine worth checking out.