It’s taken some time, but I finally managed to strike up some controversy in the social media world with schools. A few weeks back I was a guest contributor on the Campus Suite website with an article on 7 keys to creating the perfect school Facebook page. I felt very sure of my suggestions but knew there might be some differing views.
My first recommendation was to nail your profile picture for your school page. This image should be your mascot. School colors should definitely be used. And I boldly declared that this image should never change. You want your community to get used to seeing it in their newsfeed.
Kristin Magette, director of communications for Eudora Schools in Kansas and author of “Embracing Social Media – A Practical Guide to Manage Risk and Leverage Opportunity,” tweeted out that @Brian_Woodland and @PeelSchools had changed her mind on this.
@andrea4edu Nice post! I will say, @brian_woodland and @PeelSchools has changed my mind on seasonal profile pics! 😉 pic.twitter.com/Xw5EmLwBw5
— Kristin Magette (@kmagette) July 23, 2015
After seeing the cool ways that the Peel District had repurposed their logo, I instantly loved the creativity! It was still their logo, but they were able to make it relevant to the time of year, which gave them the opportunity to make it really speak to their fan base.
The one key to this slight profile picture change was that they stayed true to their primary logo. They changed up the design and colors slightly, but the main elements were still recognizable.
So how can this help your social media presence on Facebook (and beyond)?
- Show up in the newsfeed
With each new photo you add, you have the chance to show up in your fans’ newsfeeds. By changing up your logo to something seasonal, you are likely to draw in some “likes” on the image, and that will in turn cause Facebook to deliver it to even more people. - Add personality to your district
Schools are run like a business. They play a critical role in our society. But showcasing a fun side is important on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. By participating in trends, events, and holidays, it provides another chance to get in on the conversation with your community. - Provide shareable content
Kristin shared that when they share their Valentine’s Day and Saint Patrick’s Day versions of their Cardinal, the images are hugely popular. Many fans steal the photo for their own profile pictures! This is the exact purpose of social media. Turn your fans into the influencers in your community that help spread the word and message of your incredible school.
@smithsteph @andrea4edu @brian_woodland Execution is key. I lack design skill, so I am super picky about quality. pic.twitter.com/1sliWfHRGC
— Kristin Magette (@kmagette) July 23, 2015
In closing, I want to say I was wrong. I think when following the examples of Eudora and the Peel District, schools can effectively change their profile pictures to attract even more positive attention to their mission of celebrating their students. That’s the great thing about this social media world. We can keep learning from each other about what works best. And in the end, everyone wins because our students win!
So now it’s your turn to get creative. Think up one or two special times of the year where you could change up your logo to spark some attention. If it works well for these districts, why wouldn’t you try it out?
