Instagram isn’t just a social platform; it’s a digital canvas! While Facebook might hold the crown for being the most popular platform for school districts, Instagram is not far behind – and it’s where the visual storytelling magic happens.

But let’s face it; not everyone is making the most of this platform. If you’ve been playing the “copy-and-paste” game and just bringing over Facebook content, it’s time to level-up. Instagram is an important standalone platform for schools, and it deserves its own strategy and content. 

People engage with Instagram differently than Facebook, plus we have all kinds of fun ways to post! Take a look:

At #SocialSchool4EDU, we recently wrapped up our epic annual Instagram Challenge. The results were nothing short of spectacular!

We’re talking about a digital transformation that left us with stats too good not to share. We took action and learned a ton – and after seeing the final results, I wanted to share some tips more widely.

I won’t share them all – there were 20 items on our challenge list, and all of them are available to members – but today, I’ll share seven quick wins!

The Instagram Challenge: A Game Changer

Before we dive into the tips, let’s talk numbers.

Our two-week challenge was a hit, with one participant seeing a staggering 116% increase in accounts reached and a 57.7% bump in engagement. And while the follower count rose slightly, the real win was the explosion in content reach – 74% for followers and an eye-popping 500% for non-followers!

But numbers aside, the real success was hearing people say, “I saw that on Instagram!” It proved that Instagram is not just another platform, but a community builder. From mastering Reels to sprucing up Stories with school colors, the challenge was a crash course in Instagram excellence!

Ready to join the ranks of Instagram-savvy schools? Here’s where to start: 

1. Bio Brilliance

Make your first impression count with an Instagram bio that pops. Use emojis and bullets to highlight your school’s essence – location, size, colors, and spirit – all wrapped up with your unique hashtag and vision.

Here’s one example from the challenge, before and after. Look at how readable the new copy is, with the simple addition of emojis! Plus, the information provided assures account visitors that this is the official profile for the school.

2. Carousel Comeback

Forget what you heard about Reels taking over; carousels are back and better than ever. 

Instagram leaders admitted that they went too far in favoring Reels in the algorithm, and they have adjusted to show more photos. You can mix photos and videos for a dynamic post that tells a story across up to 10 slides!

Check out this awesome carousel post that creates one continuous image when viewers slide their fingers from photo to photo on their phone. (And yes, we’ve got this template and hundreds more ready for you in our membership group!)

 

3. Sticker Magic

You can now transform any photo with Instagram’s cutout feature, creating custom stickers for Stories or Reels. It’s an easy win for making your posts stand out!

Simply choose the sticker option and create your cutout of any photo on your camera roll. The stickers you create will stay available for future use, unless you choose to delete them.

4. Reel Faces

It’s a fact: Faces draw attention. Create a Reel showcasing the many smiles of your school, maybe with a catchy sign or trendy sunglasses. It’s an easy and effective way to spread joy and school pride!

This Reel made for Valentine’s Day could easily be used any time of the year. Ensure that the sign stays in the same spot by using the grid on your camera when taking the photo.

5. Highlight with Style

Stories are fleeting, but highlights keep them alive. Customize your highlight covers with Canva and organize them in a way that tells your school’s ongoing story.

It’s easy to do, but remember that you don’t have control over the order of the highlights. The group with the latest story addition will always show on the left. Some of our members wanted to do their school colors for the covers and pattern them every other cover – but as soon as you add another story, the order will be disrupted.

6. Talking Reels

Reels aren’t just for dances and lip-syncs. Share announcements or interviews in a Reel to give your messages a personal touch that resonates with your audience!

Alice shared this invite to a parent and community event. It worked – because many who came to the event said they saw it on Instagram!

7. Collaborate and Thrive

Use Instagram’s Collaboration feature to double your reach. You can partner with school clubs or organizations for shared posts that appear on both accounts, pooling views and engagement.

My friend Eric from Colton Unified School District in California has used this feature to catapult the views on his content!

Here’s another example from West Valley School District in Washington:

Let the Fun Begin!

These tips are just the beginning. When you join the membership, you’ll gain access to our full Instagram Challenge, along with a community of school communicators who are eager to share their success stories and learn from each other – and YOU!

Instagram is more than a platform; it’s a vibrant community waiting to celebrate your school’s stories. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into these tips, join our community for even more insights, and watch your school’s Instagram flourish!!