Meet Julie Daniel

Renowned Arabian horse trainer, Julie is the proud owner of both Daniel Training Center and Apex Riding Academy. Recently, Julie has embraced the digital age and expanded her business portfolio to include many new dimensions. These include but are not limited to Blogging, Branding, Social Media, Content Creation and the development of her own course, “R.I.D.E.” Riding Instructors Development & Education is a course dedicated to helping instructors, trainers, and individuals looking to start or enhance their own riding lesson programs. 

As a riding instructor, you may find yourself more comfortable in the saddle than in the digital world of social media. However, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have become essential tools for growing your business and engaging with clients. This blog post will guide you through the basics of using social media to build your brand, attract new clients, and enhance your online presence.

The Power of Social Media

In today’s digital age, social media is more than just a place to share photos or catch up with friends. It’s a powerful marketing tool that can help you reach a wider audience, engage with potential clients, and showcase your unique riding programs. From sharing behind-the-scenes snapshots on Instagram to posting riding tips on Facebook, social media offers countless opportunities to make your business stand out.

Choosing Your Platforms

While there are many social media platforms available, we’ll focus on three that are particularly relevant for riding instructors: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

• Facebook: With its vast user base, Facebook is a great platform for reaching a wide audience. You can create a business page, post updates about your riding programs, and engage directly with your followers.
  
• Instagram: As a visually-focused platform, Instagram is perfect for sharing photos and videos from your riding sessions. You can also use Instagram Stories to share short, temporary updates.
  
• TikTok: This video-centric platform is rapidly growing in popularity, especially among younger audiences. On TikTok, you can share short, engaging videos showcasing your riding programs, horse care tips, or even fun behind-the-scenes content.
  
  

Building Your Brand

Your brand is the image or identity that people associate with your business. It’s built on everything from the colors and fonts you use in your posts to the tone of voice in your captions. When building your brand on social media, consistency is key. Stick to a consistent posting schedule, use a consistent visual style, and maintain a consistent tone of voice.

Creating Content with Canva

Creating visually-appealing content doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With Canva, a free online design tool, you can easily create stunning graphics for your social media posts. Canva offers a range of templates specifically designed for each social media platform, making it easy to create eye-catching content that fits perfectly on your chosen platform.

Attracting New Clients

Social media isn’t just about broadcasting information – it’s also about engaging with your audience. Respond to comments on your posts, answer direct messages promptly, and encourage your followers to share their experiences with your riding program. This helps build a sense of community around your brand and makes potential clients more likely to choose your program.

Understanding SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) isn’t just for websites. By using relevant keywords in your social media profiles and posts, you can improve your visibility in search engine results and attract more potential clients. For example, if you’re a riding instructor in Denver, you might use keywords like “Denver riding instructor,” “horse riding in Denver,” or “Denver equestrian programs.”

Conclusion

Embracing social media may seem daunting, but with a bit of practice, it can become an invaluable tool for growing your riding program. Whether you’re sharing photos on Instagram, posting updates on Facebook, or creating engaging videos on TikTok, social media offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with your audience and showcase what makes your riding program unique. So saddle up, and take the reins of your online presence!

Links

Canva For Beginners: https://youtu.be/V9LtRF6EbyY?si=pBqHeCn9DenF3Vgy

FaceBook for Beginners: https://youtu.be/k3kjJDGBa_o?si=oHD3775HxD4-0yW7

Instagram for Beginners: https://youtu.be/bYDGro1eq1I?si=SxilyPT9I0TJRji5

More on Instagram: https://youtu.be/T8P5Kl5Ee8s?si=j1n5EhPT8clGp8YA