Why print ads no longer work - and how to find the right people online

Are you desperately looking for new employees, but no one is responding to your newspaper ad? Welcome to the year 2025. Traditional methods hardly bring in any applications these days - and if they do, it's usually not the right ones. But don't worry: there are modern methods with which you can find new people for your company in a targeted and effective way. Keyword: social recruiting.

Why traditional methods often no longer work

Placing an ad in the newspaper, waiting and hoping - that might have worked ten years ago. Today, this method hardly reaches anyone who really wants to get involved. Why is that?

• Limited reach: Printed ads often end up unread in the waste paper.
• High costs: You invest a lot of money with no guarantee of applications.
• Changed behavior: Most people - especially younger people - are now looking for jobs digitally, not in a newspaper.

The reality: Many farmers place ads and wonder why no one comes. The answer is simple - the right candidates no longer read them.

Social recruiting: the better solution

Social media is not just for vacation pictures and cat videos. Used correctly, it becomes a powerful tool for your employee search.

What are the specific benefits of social recruiting?

• Targeted approach: You reach exactly the people you are looking for - e.g. via regional target group filters.
• Emotional insights: Short videos and photos of everyday life on the farm create trust and arouse curiosity.
• Fast ways: Interested parties can contact us directly by cell phone - without a time-consuming application process.

Instead of hoping that someone will get in touch, you actively approach the right people - where they are out and about every day.

Which platforms work best?

• Facebook: Particularly effective for professionals with experience. You can also reach passive candidates through targeted advertising.
• Instagram: Ideal for visually appealing to young people. For example, show the team spirit or a typical working day.
• TikTok: Here you can attract attention with short, creative clips - especially with trainees or interns.

Important: You don't need glossy videos. Authenticity is key. An honest look behind the scenes is more convincing than any glossy brochure.

Success stories from the agricultural sector

• Company from Lower Saxony: Received five applications via Instagram with a short trainee video within three weeks - three of which were hired.
• Farm in Schleswig-Holstein: A Facebook campaign was used to fill two long-standing vacancies for skilled workers within a month.
• TikTok campaign of a dairy farm: Several applications for internships and part-time jobs within 14 days - all via simple cell phone videos from the barn.

These companies have recognized this: If you want to be visible today, you have to go where the people are - online.

Tips for a successful start

1. Show what makes your company special - e.g. good team atmosphere, modern machines, fixed working hours.
2. Use real pictures and videos - authentic is better than perfect.
3. Speak the language of your target group - directly, understandably, at eye level.
4. Post regularly - even small insights from everyday life will keep your profile alive.
5. Respond to messages and comments - this shows that you really care.

Conclusion

Finding employees has not become any easier these days - but it is definitely more feasible with the right tools. Instead of spending time and money on old channels, use modern methods. Social recruiting is not a fad, but a real opportunity for agriculture to find good people.

Ready to break new ground?

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Then let's get talking! Book a non-binding consultation now and find out how you can use social media specifically for your business. Together, we'll make your farm visible - and bring the right employees directly to you!

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