This week marks a big milestone in #SocialSchool4EDU history…
One hundred Mastering Social Media for Schools podcast episodes!!
Cue the confetti, the balloons, and all the virtual high fives!
It’s also serendipitous that the drop of Episode 100 coincided with my 44th birthday. Two milestones reached, and the best is certainly yet to come… on both counts!
I wouldn’t be here without YOU, dear follower, so thank you for following, subscribing, and supporting my podcasting adventure. We’ve grown from audio-only to sharing the podcast on YouTube as a video experience. What started with just a couple dozen downloads each week has expanded to over 23,000 listens – and counting!
The best part of this journey has been the 75+ #SchoolPR guests who have joined me at the mic, sharing their stories, struggles, and successes with the world.
So if this is the first time you’re hearing about my podcast, welcome! I hope you’ll subscribe and maybe binge a few past episodes after checking out the following 10 key takeaways. Even if you’ve been with me from the beginning, today’s blog will serve as a helpful round-up of the best and brightest #SchoolPR hacks.
Let’s dig in!
Tip #1: Remember That You’re Not Alone
John Casper, Communicators Coordinator from Winona Area Public Schools, shared:
I have learned that I am not alone. Working in school communications can be a pretty lonely feeling at times, especially for those of us who are new to this profession and are in one-person departments. Each episode is a reminder that they are so many others out there who are just like me, every new episode. There’s a chance to meet a new co-worker, in a way. And that new coworker will challenge me to be a little bit better than I was before I met him or her. When you’re trying to find your way in a second career, that is a very powerful thing to have.”
In a socially distanced world, this reminder that we’re part of a larger community is SO powerful. And kudos to every reader who, like John, came to school communications as a second career – there are a LOT of you out there! Listen to my interview with John in Episode 87.
Tip #2: Videos Can Be Authentic and Unedited
Sadie Fischer, Communications and Community Engagement Specialist for Community of Peace Academy, shared:
Andrea shared that not all videos need to be professionally polished. I tend to be a perfectionist and since I don’t have capacity to make very many fully edited and polished videos, I ended up making only a couple videos throughout the year. But Andrea pointed out that when people are on social media, they’re used to videos that are like taken with phones. They’re used to seeing things like shooting vertically or walking around while filming. Sometimes those things can actually increase viewership! So this tip really empowered me and I was able to let go of my perfectionist hang-ups. Now, I do a video each week and our community has a better window into the amazing things that are happening at my school. The videos are usually just glimpses into the daily life of our school, like a snippet of the choir practicing or first graders playing a field game or students telling about a project they’re working on, or teachers waving to the buses at dismissal. We do have more polished videos that we create when needed, but this takes off a lot of pressure on me and it adds a lot of engagement for our school.”
I love that Sadie is achieving her goal of one video per week, and letting go of her perfectionism in the process. I hope that this causes you to take some action and realize that you don’t have to have the perfect video to put it on social media.
Tip #3: Identify a System for Curating Content
Jill Salmon, Business Teacher/FBLA Advisor/Social Media Manager at Hermitage R4 School District, shared:
One of the most important things [I’ve learned] is that what I’m doing and what we’re doing with School PR is necessary and needed and needs to continue. Even on a grander scale, she’s taught me how to organize my time, using a calendar with the posts that we’re making, scheduling posts, and sharing ideas.”
Getting yourself organized into a system is SO important, and I’m so happy that Jill learned this skill from my podcast as well as the Social Media Bootcamp program. This Bootcamp is now being incorporated into my membership program. Learn more about the membership here.
Tip #4: Try New Things, Take the Time to Do Them Right, and Share Your Metrics
Amanda Keller, Social Media Director in Weston School District, shared not one but THREE tips:
I have learned not to be afraid to try something new. I was terrified of trying Reels and Andrea pushed us during a work session. And now that Reel that I posted during that session has over 400,000 views. [I’ve also learned to] post videos natively to each platform. It takes extra time, but it’s worth the reach that you’re gonna gain in the long run. And share your metrics and your growth of your social media with your staff. They are more willing to send good content if they know the impact that it has.”
Over 400,000 views on a Reel – and that’s in a small Wisconsin school district! I’m so proud of Amanda and all the amazing progress she’s made.
Tip #5: Post Social Media Stickers on Your School Doors
Anindita Anaam, Communications Specialist for Oconto Unified School District, shared:
Use those social media stickers on the main doors of our school. It really created the impact we were hoping for. Our engagements are up and our parents are happy!”
Here’s what Anindita is talking about: “Grab Followers the Moment They Enter Your School.” What a beautifully simple strategy! You can learn more about the great things Anindita is doing in Oconto in Episode 96 of the podcast.
Tip #6: Facebook Live Grows Your Page
Joanne Bell, Marketing Coordinator for Maple Leaf International School, shared:
I would like to thank Andrea and her team for making me more aware of Facebook Live and how useful it can be in growing our followers and our likes on Facebook. One of the first things I did was a Facebook Live of our morning assembly with the singing of the National Anthem, which we start our day with. More recently, I decided to do a Facebook Live of an art exhibit that the students were putting on, but we are not allowed to have visitors in the school at the moment because of COVID-19 protocols. We did a Facebook Live walkthrough of the event where parents and family members and anybody in public could view the exhibition. The students appreciated being able to share their artwork, and I don’t know how else the parents would’ve seen it.”
Facebook Live can be scary, especially the first time you try it, but it really opens up the doors to your school. Think of all the ways that you can really let people feel like they’re there! Here’s a free, helpful guide to get you started.
Tip #7: Use LinkedIn for School Recruiting
Grace Scism, Communications Director for Hilton Central School District, shared:
The most impactful thing I’ve learned is how to untangle our district’s LinkedIn page and gain access to it. I’m sure many districts are in the same position as ours in that we are desperately trying to find qualified candidates for open positions. I knew I had to get LinkedIn up and running to start advertising these positions and growing our network. I participated in LinkedIn skills and work sessions and it was so helpful. I think our page looks pretty good, if I do say so myself, thank you to Andrea and her team!”
Way to go, Grace! Your page DOES look great! LinkedIn can be a great spot to not only post job postings, but also to celebrate all the great things happening at your school. Grace is also part of my Social Media Membership, where we did some specialized training on LinkedIn.
Tip #8: Build a Team of Communication Cadres
Jamie Brace, Communications Director for Claremore Public Schools, shared:
The ability to build a team and create a village. That can be a formal one or an informal village. I had a new superintendent that has gotten on board. And so he allowed me to create what we call our Communication Cadres. They get a small stipend, but there’s one at each site and we kind of use them to get all of our stories and help kind of be the point person at those sites. We had a distance learning Friday, so we were able to meet once a week to train them. I use a lot of Andrea’s trainings to brainstorm ideas. We coordinate campaigns, we gather photos – whatever it is that we need. I also have informal teams – the teachers and other staff members I’ve worked with over the years. That’s my informal team that I can reach out to in a pinch to get that information. So if you do anything else, I would recommend following her advice and building a team!”
You cannot do this job alone. So whether you build a team of unpaid champions or work with people who get an extra stipend to help you with social media, it works! You can learn more about Jamie’s rockstar social media efforts in Episode 62 of the podcast.
Tip #9: Walk Around Your School for Story Ideas
Lisa Waldhart, Technology Support in the School District of Loyal, shared:
The best piece of advice that I’ve taken away is that you just need to keep telling your story, get out into your school, check weekly bulletins, and see what’s happening in your classrooms and in your school. It is truly amazing. The ideas teachers and staff members come up with that become your best posts. A great picture tells an amazing story and gets lots of views or comments!”
You never know what’s going to resonate with your audience! So just keep telling those every day seemingly simple stories.
Tip #10: Social Media is Not a Bulletin Board
Natalie Eiting, Special Education Teacher/Social Media Manager for the School District of South Milwaukee, shared:
The most important thing that I’ve learned from Andrea over the years is just to understand the idea that it is not a bulletin board. The intent and purpose is to share the stories happening behind the classroom doors to your community. That’s the most impactful thing that we have learned as a district – when to use your primary mode of communication versus social media. It has made it so that we are truly sharing the story of all the great things that are happening.”
This simple tip really cuts to the core of my social media philosophy: Celebrate Students and Connect Communities! Not everything belongs on social media. It’s not just a bulletin board; it’s best used for celebrations. I talked more about this concept in Episode 91 of the podcast.
I really believe in you and in the stories you have to tell. This is what gets me up every single morning – cheering you on and seeing the impact you’re making in the lives of students, staff, and communities. Thank you for celebrating these Top 10 Tips with me – and be sure to subscribe to the podcast for more weekly content, just like this!
