Everything Horse magazine Magazine, October 2014 | Page 33

TIPS AND IDEAS
Social media for the
equestrian business

Engaging
ideas….

By Emily Huxtable of Equine Events

When any brand or professional
launches a Facebook page or Twitter
account, it can be all too tempting to
become what I call a ‘Like Hunter’.
You become obsessed with getting to
that ‘magic number’ of likes, whatever that may be. This may be successful in the short term at getting potential customers, owners, sponsors to
your page or Twitter feed. However,
the secret in keeping them there is in
getting them engaged.
When you are buying new pieces
for your wardrobe, be it horsy
or townie, then try and work
it into what else you have in
your wardrobe. For example if
you are buying new breeches,
what other colours do you have
in your wardrobe that would
compliment them? If you own
lots of Black or Navy, go for a
plaid pair of breeches that maybe
have a fine dark check through
out but are perhaps of a brighter
colour, which you can then echo
throughout your outfit with some
nice winter accessories – such
as gloves or scarves? This way
you update your riding wardrobe
without breaking the bank!

Engaging your fans means encouraging them to like, comment or share
your content and in turn this will
dramatically increase the amount
of people who see it, also known as
your reach. Your fans can actually
work for you as a marketing tool.
Every time one of your fans likes or
comments on a post, it is seen by
all of their friends and can rapidly
be shared throughout thousands of
people in a short space of time.
So how do you keep fans engaged?
1. Tell your story
Every rider and business has a story
every horse owner can relate to.

Hope you found
my tips useful and
whatever the winter
weather throws
at you, remember
to stay warm and
stylish!!

October 2014 • Issue 13 • Everything Horse UK Magazine

Share your
highs and
lows of
competition
with your
fans.
Everyone has
bad days and
the equine
community
understands
Emily Huxtable
this, don’t be
afraid to do a Facebook write up
or blog and reflect on the event or
show.
2. Respond to comments, both positive & negative
If you thank someone for positive
review or comment of you or your
business, they are more likely to
become a dedicated super-fan,
spreading the good word about you
as a rider or trainer. If you receive a
negative comment, hiding or deleting
it is an absol