It’s hard to believe that we’re already talking about the new school year! From school supply lists to classroom prep lists, there’s something for everyone – but I’m here to add just one more helpful checklist to your toolbox: A school social media checklist.
Recently, I collaborated with my friends at Rise Vision to host a well-attended free webinar on this very topic, so I wanted to share my best tips with you, too! Today, I’m breaking down five essential items to help you succeed this year.
Please note that my webinar with Rise Vision included six additional tips, so be sure to access the full webinar!
Watch the webinar here!
Tip 1: Identify Your Channels and Assign Responsibility
Let me get this out of the way: You can’t be present on every social media platform. Unless you have a full army of social media managers, you’re going to quickly overwhelm yourself if you’re trying to post everywhere, such as the new Threads app.
My advice: Choose wisely and prioritize your time. Where does your audience spend the most time? In my experience working with schools since 2014, Facebook remains the leading platform, closely followed by Instagram. Twitter and LinkedIn are also viable options if you have the resources.
Once you’ve strategically identified which platforms you’re going to focus on this school year, identify your managers. Whether it’s a communications person, administrative assistant, media specialist, principal, or even a volunteer or teacher, ensure that the responsible person is identified and that you have a clear method of delivering content to them.
Sign up here!
Tip 2: Build an Army of Storytellers
Social media is a team effort that involves the entire school or district sharing their stories. To streamline this process, I recommend setting up a dedicated email address or utilizing a communication platform or submission form where individuals can submit content. By centralizing content collection, you’ll have an organized and efficient system in place!
As you head into staff inservice or convocation days, secure at least 15 minutes to talk about the importance of submitting stories. Shining a spotlight on all the great things happening in your buildings is part of everyone’s job. Let your colleagues know that you need their help and clearly explain how they can get involved!
If you’re reading this blog, I already know you love checklists, so here’s what you should cover in your meeting:
Tip 3: Involve Students in Social Media
This school year, make it a priority to involve students in your social media content creation. Student storytellers create authentic stories that resonate with their peers and will elevate the engagement on your platforms.
Consider implementing a social media internship program, allowing students to participate in takeovers, or even featuring your mascot in Instagram Stories and Reels. Collaborating with the yearbook advisor, media or journalism classes, or students from photography and video courses can unlock incredible storytelling opportunities for your school!
Tip 4: Build a Branding Kit
To save time and maintain consistency, invest in creating a branding kit for your social media posts. Having a cohesive look and feel across your platforms is crucial!
Develop a color scheme using specific hex codes, determine the fonts you’ll regularly employ, and create standardized graphics. This way, when unexpected announcements or updates arise, such as a school closure due to a broken pipe, you can swiftly design and share a professional-looking post using tools like Canva.
If you need more help in this area, I have an entire section of my new book dedicated to branding! You can grab a copy of “Social Media for Schools – Proven Storytelling Strategies and Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff – While Keeping Your Sanity” now.
Tip 5: Set Up Meta Business Manager Correctly
Make sure your Meta Business Manager (formerly known as Facebook Business Manager) is properly configured. Facebook pages are “owned” by Business Manager accounts, but with so many schools having accounts dating back years, it’s common to have challenges in this area. Take proactive steps now to address any issues and optimize your setup.
To get started, I highly recommend reading this blog:
Bonus Tip: Join a Community to Support You!
I wish social media was just a “one and done” checklist – but the reality is it’s always changing! You need ongoing guidance and support, so that’s why I’m excited to invite you to join my membership program this fall. Join now during our back-to-school sale, and you can access six months of membership for only $395. This exclusive offer will equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the crazy world of social media for your school.
I hope this checklist helps you get off on the right foot this school year! For the complete list of items, don’t forget to watch the recording of the free Rise Vision webinar. Get ready to rock your social media efforts this school year. You’ve got this!!
