Friday marked the start of Great Outdoors Month! How do you plan to celebrate? Whether you’re fishing, hiking, camping, or hunting squirrels/groundhogs, there are many ways to showcase your catches or experiences on social media effectively.
Here’s what President Trump said about his statement on the occasion:
During Great Outdoors Month, we celebrate the unmatched magnificence of our Nation’s mountains, waters, canyons, and coastlines. Spending time in the great outdoors, especially during summer, is an American tradition. Every American should take the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of our natural wonders, which stretch from coast to coast and beyond.
As Americans, we are blessed with many stunning lands and waters that surround each of our communities. Our numerous forests, wildlife refuges, and local parks offer endless opportunities for recreation, adventure, and renewal. Early morning fishing trips and the thrill of summiting mountain peaks with friends create lasting memories. The splendid beauty of a sunset can inspire, while the solitude of a weekend camping trip often brings long-sought tranquility.
Here are three social media tips to maximize your time in the Great Outdoors without diluting the activities:
Use the right hashtags
For Great Outdoors Month, there are many hashtags you can use to effectively promote the outdoors—whether it be fishing, hiking, camping, or hunting. #EscapeTheIndoors is one marketers in the outdoor industry are using for this month. More specific hashtags relating to fishing include #MakingWaves, #ThisIsFishing, or #GetYourFishOn. Whatever the activity you’re doing, find the appropriate hashtags, tag the appropriate accounts, and spice up your hashtag use. If you overuse certain hashtags, your posts – particularly on Instagram, could be shadowbanned. Gah! Don’t fall into this trap. But use these hashtags across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to spread the good word about Great Outdoors Month.
Post those grip-and-grins
There is much debate over whether grip-and-grins are acceptable to post across social media. My friends over at GoWild have argued these kinds of pictures aren’t obtuse , but others have said they are tiresome and need to go. Regardless of your stance on this issue, if you’re ethical in your practices and don’t mutilate species you’ve caught, by all means post those grip-and-grins. Include that close-up shots of fish tails, scales, or those release photos. Spice up your photos. If you’ve harvested something extraordinary, you don’t need to feel compelled to post it either. It’s up to you—the individual. But I’m not opposed to grip-and-grin photos so long as the production is tasteful and prompts people to either fish or hunt responsibly.
Have a Call-To-Action
When you’re posting your #FirstCatch or an impressive vista view while hiking, include a call-to-action. Encourage people to join conservation groups. Encourage your friends and family to support causes that bolster habitat and wildlife restoration efforts. Promote gun safety, ethical fishing tactics, or responsible camping practices while getting your outdoors on.
Do you plan to incorporate these tips to share the good word about #GreatOutdoorsMonth? Let me know!
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