The Texas beef checkoff program has expanded its online presence by recently launching a blog appropriately named "BEEF Loving Texans." The blog covers all things beef, including nutrition, recipes, cooking tips, shopping ideas and much more. Readers experience the blog through posts filled with appealing step-by- step beef imagery and videos.
"We recognize the ever-growing trend for consumers to utilize Web-based tools to share and discuss information," says Susie O'Brien, beef producer and chair of the Texas Beef Council (TBC) Domestic Marketing Committee. "When it comes to social media, we want to ensure beef is part of the conversation and our blog is one more way we can achieve that."
TBC is also active on social media sites including Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube. The Texas beef checkoff's "BEEF Loving Texans" Facebook page is rapidly growing with more than 52,000 fans and is attracting new followers each day. Engaged consumers are having conversations about beef, leaving comments and sharing posts with their network.
"There are now more than 1 billion active Facebook users and more than 130 million consumers in the U.S. that read blogs," says Rachel Chou, TBC consumer communications manager. "Studies have revealed that information found online has become a more trusted source than even information from family and friends. BEEF Loving Texans provides an opportunity to facilitate a two-way dialogue with consumers and engage them as brand advocates in the space where they are seeking information."
Blogging has allowed TBC to extend its online persona and create unique and creative content that can easily be shared on the brand's other social media platforms. It also offers the capability to connect with other influential bloggers with large followings.
Visit the Texas Beef Checkoff blog, BEEFLovingTexans.com each Tuesday for a new, exciting article or recipe.