Success StoryUtlizing Social Media to Reach New Audiences



Utlizing Social Media to Reach New Audiences

Author: Whitney Hilterbran

Planning Unit: Scott County CES

Major Program: Community Engagement

Plan of Work: Basic Life Skills for Youth and Adults in Scott County

Outcome: Initial Outcome

The Cooperative Extension Service aims to reach all people of Kentucky. With today’s fast paced lifestyle people often receive their news and information by means of social media. Newsletter mailings and newspaper articles no longer suffice for reaching the majority of the population. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center as of August 2017, two-thirds (67%) of Americans report that they get at least some of their news on social media – with two-in-ten doing so often. This increase in social media use opens a new frontier for marketing extension programming and information.

Scott County Cooperative Extension Service Family & Consumer Sciences has had a Facebook page for several years but it was seldom used. Since establishing a consistently active social media presence the page has secured 395 “likes” from other Facebook users. Additionally, the page shares daily updates of information from the University of Kentucky. On average, the page reaches 1,286 people per week.

By utilizing the events function on the page we were able to reach new audiences who had not previously attended extension programming. We advertised for several classes including Canning 101, Pressure Cookers, and Beginning Quilting. The average attendance for these classes was over 40 individuals. Of those in attendance, 68% indicated they learned of the event by Facebook. Furthermore, of those who learned about the event by Facebook, 72% indicated it was the first time they had attended a Cooperative Extension Program.






Stories by Whitney Hilterbran


Volunteer led program flourishes through extension support and training

Volunteer led program flourishes through extension support and training

about 6 years ago by Whitney Hilterbran

Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within counties is critical for the sustainability of a c... Read More


Not Your Grandma's Pressure Cooker

about 6 years ago by Whitney Hilterbran

The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service is committed to improving the health and we... Read More


Stories by Scott County CES


Volunteer led program flourishes through extension support and training

Volunteer led program flourishes through extension support and training

about 6 years ago by Whitney Hilterbran

Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within counties is critical for the sustainability of a c... Read More


East Meets West – The 2017 State Master Gardener Conference

about 6 years ago by Sharon Flynt

State Master Gardener Conference 2017 – East Meets West - was held at Scott Co. Cooperative Extensio... Read More


Stories by Community Engagement


Extension Family Farm Fest- A Growing Success

Extension Family Farm Fest- A Growing Success

about 6 years ago by Kindra Jones

In 2015, the Grayson County Extension Agents and the Grayson County Extension Council started the Ex... Read More


Fourth Grade 4-H Clubs Learn about Kentucky Government and Civic Engagement

Fourth Grade 4-H Clubs Learn about Kentucky Government and Civic Engagement

about 6 years ago by Paula Jerrell

The Ballard County 4-H 4th grade 4-H Clubs learn about Kentucky Government and Civic Engagement thro... Read More