Social Media Content Creation

Quick Campaigns From What You Already Have

Does creating social media content seem overwhelming?  In agriculture, “value-added” usually means taking what you already produce and finding ways to increase its worth without much effort. Social media for extension education can work in the same way. The hard work of creating content (like preparing slides, running workshops, writing guides) has already been done. Posting it online adds extra value.

Why Social Media?

Extension staff often deliver programs in person or at events, which has strengths and limitations. For example, attendees at a biochar workshop got hands-on experience and expert answers. But fewer than 10 people could attend. The same content, shared on social media, has reached over 65,000 viewers. Social media turns a small, time-bound event into content accessible anywhere, anytime, to a much larger audience. The trade-off is less depth, but the reach can be massive.

Where to Start

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to keep your channels active. Start with what you already have: guides, handouts, newsletters, websites, and slide decks. A single chart can become an infographic, a tip can become a caption with a photo, and slides can be broken into multiple posts. The material exists, it just needs repackaging.

The workflow is simple: pull photos and facts from what you already have, format and tag them so they make sense in a social media feed, and then publish. That’s it.

Choosing the Right Content Type

How you present content matters as much as what you share. The right format helps your audience grasp your point quickly and stay engaged:

• Photo or Photo Series: A single photo is perfect for highlighting one clear point. It’s simple, direct, and easy to digest. If you want to show a process or tell a story over several steps, a photo series works best. Each image builds on the last, giving your audience a visual journey they can follow.

• Infographic: Make numbers, comparisons, or step-heavy processes easy to understand. Combine visuals and concise text for approachable, memorable data.

• Short Video: Videos are ideal when you need to explain an idea quickly and informally. A short clip can show motion, demonstrate a process, or give context that static images can’t. They’re perfect for attention-grabbing, digestible content.

Additional Resources

NMSU Resources

If you’re looking for quality visuals for your posts, NMSU provides some solid options:

• NMSU Photoshelter: A library of professional photos covering a wide range of campus life, events, and research. Great for general content, campus updates, or showcasing people and places. These sources are great for supplementing your own photos, adding variety, or finding visuals you can legally use in social media posts.

• NMSU ACES Photoshelter: Focused on agriculture, natural resources, and extension content. Ideal for specific topics.

External Resources

Always credit the source.

• USDA-ARS Image Gallery – Photos and graphics related to agricultural research.

• BLM Flickr Archive – Public domain images of public lands, wildlife, and landscapes.

• USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) – Wildlife and habitat photos, often usable with credit.

• USGS Multimedia Gallery – Maps, satellite images, and scientific visuals for research-based content.

  
  

Tips for Effective Social Media

• Repetition is okay if you vary format, style, or voice.

• Captions matter – give enough detail for understanding without extra clicks.

• Lead with the main point and pair it with eye-catching visuals.

• Think about your audience – use tags to increase reach.

• Reposting or reformatting keeps content visible and reinforces key messages.

  
  

Keeping Your Social Media Active

You don’t need constant new ideas to stay relevant. One topic can fuel weeks of posts:

• Weekly Themes: “Tip Tuesday” or “Extension Friday Facts” create rhythm and expectation.

• Turn Presentations into Posts: Use FAQs or key points from workshops as standalone posts.

• Multi-Post Series: Break a single presentation into several posts to extend its life and engage followers.

  
  

Consistency is key. With themes, FAQs, and series, your social media remains active, valuable, and manageable.

Written by: Jeffrey Buras, Social Media Specialist