My Personal Thanks to You

Dear Clients and Colleagues,

Consider the changes in your life since 2001.  It’s a long list as I reflect back over the last 10 years:  the tragedy of 9/11, the birth of children, the devastation of natural disasters, the passing of loved ones, the continued change of agriculture, technology over-connecting us and the fierce attention paid to food. However, my best memories include the wonderful people I’ve worked with – farmers, ag and food folks. It’s been privilege to partner with you to build connections between the farm gate and consumer plate.

In appreciation of your work with Cause Matters Corp. over the last decade, we are making virtual training programs available to you. Topics are Twitter, Facebook, blogging, YouTube, Linkedin and overall motivation for agvocacy.  There are no strings attached; I just ask that you not share this access link, as it’s by invitation only. Click on the colored links below; 10xthanks is the password you’ll need to access all the files on Vimeo.

Enjoy – and remember that 15 minutes/day in social media can make the difference in people gaining perspective on food, fuel, feed and fiber. A food editor at a mainstream publication recently said to me “I don’t trust terms, I trust people. Organic, natural, local are all overused words today. Take me to the source.” How are you connecting people?

Ag’s Use Of New Technology and Social Media: The  opportunity for farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses to use technology adoption as thought leaders. This covers my experience in the social media environment, the rapid growth of anti-ag activists using these tools, the business value and ground rules for your social media engagement.

Introduction to Twitter Techniques : Get a glimpse of the power of the ‘Twitterverse’ and gain new comfort by framing Twitter as a community builder. This is an introduction of  Twitter as a way to build your network beyond the choir, provides an overview on #AgChat and gives you ideas on how you can use this tool to your advantage.

• Using the Twitter Website: Did you know Twitter is like a party? Learn how to build your personality and find the “rooms” of folks you want to connect with.  This agvocast is designed to help you navigate the site, the importance of personality and who to follow.
• Twitter Web Site Settings: Uncomfortable with the potential loss of privacy on Twitter? Feel like you’re being stalked? Twitter is not a permission based system, but this can you help understand privacy options and how to build your bio to be personable
• Twitter Mentions and Replies: Hashtags, replies, retweets? What does all this nonsense mean? A demonstration of how Twitter can be used to share ideas and have short conversations and gives you tips to track your own tweets.
• Twitter Web Site Feed And Search: Believe it or not, being followed is a good thing in the Twitterverse. Do you know who to follow, how to find them and get your own community of followers?
• Using Tweetdeck: Silos, conveyors, wrenches and total mixed rations?  A highlight of third party management tools such as Tweetdeck in terms you can understand. Learn how to organize your Twitter searches, friends, and followers without getting lost.
• Using Twitter to Build Community: Twitter is a powerful yet simple tool. Like your welder, it’s tough to succeed until you have a basic understanding. Learn how to build your Twitter community to help you succeed, manage Twitter, steps to success and connecting with others’ communities.

Facebook Fundamentals: Learn that a feed isn’t in just your bunk, but on your Facebook homepage, how to use navigate some of the most important compass points and what to put in your bio.

• Facebook Profiles: With this quick overview of the Facebook environment, you’ll get demographics and highlights topics of interest. Great for those needing to understand the basics of Facebook and why it’s valuable.
• Searching for Friends on Facebook: Build a Facebook that you’re comfortable will protect your privacy will still connecting with the people you want to.  Find key tools for navigation, how to search (and understand the results), build your groups, see pages and make friends list in Facebook.  You might be surprised at the top recommended area to go to when you get stuck!
• Facebook Privacy Settings & Lists: In this overview of Facebook’s privacy and blocking settings, you’ll learn to navigate the selections that will keep your information secure, but available for your friends. Get recommendations on your privacy policy, managing friends and how to customize your settings.
• Facebook Tagging, Hyperlinks And Connecting With People: Tagging isn’t just about eartags; it’s a great way to connect with more people on Facebook. Hyperlinks, connecting with the right people on Facebook, examples of agvocacy success stories, advanced user tips on apps and  a roadmap for managing social media in 15 minutes/day are included.

Social Media Platforms and Tools to Consider in Your Daily Mix: There are several key social media platforms and tools in use today. Insight and  direction on how social media platforms can be used and why you need to consider them as part of your plan to connect gate to plate.

Again, thanks for being a part of the last 10 years – I am blessed to do what I love in service to agriculture.  Cause Matters Corp. is  looking ahead at what’s needed for thought leadership in food and ag conversations over the next decade. I’ll be releasing at least two new programs this summer; “Authentically Agriculture” and “Community Central: Empowerment through Engagement.”  Please feel free to share any needs you have – I look forward to working with you again in the future. Have a wonderful summer.

Best Regards,

Michele Payn-Knoper, CSP

P.S. Do you know a food or ag organization who can benefit from one of the 10x Connect grants we’re awarding? Point them to http://www.causematters.com/decade-of-difference-challenge/ or the grant application on our Facebook page.