In the digital age, social media has become integral to our lives. From personal connections to professional networking, social media platforms have transformed the way we communicate and share information. This shift extends to the education sector, where schools have recognized the power of social media as a tool for engagement, communication, and community building.
However, determining what to post on social media can be challenging for educational institutions. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of social media for schools and provide valuable insights into what schools should post on social media to optimize their online presence and foster meaningful connections with their stakeholders.
-
Promote achievements and success stories
One of the most effective ways for schools to utilize social media is to showcase their achievements and success stories. Highlighting students' accomplishments, whether in academics, sports, arts, or community service, not only boosts morale but also creates a sense of pride in the school community. This content can include photos, videos, or written testimonials, providing a platform for students to shine and inspiring others to follow suit.
-
Provide updates and important announcements
Social media is an excellent medium for schools to disseminate vital information quickly and efficiently. Whether it's reminders about upcoming events, schedule changes, or important announcements, posting updates on social media platforms ensures that the information reaches a broader audience. Utilizing clear and concise language, accompanied by eye-catching visuals, will help capture attention and ensure that stakeholders stay informed and engaged.
-
Showcase innovative teaching practices
Educators are continuously evolving their teaching methodologies to provide the best learning experiences for their students. Schools can leverage social media platforms to share insights into innovative teaching practices, classroom activities, and project-based learning initiatives. By posting photos, videos, or articles highlighting these practices, schools not only engage their online community but also inspire other educators and spark conversations around progressive educational approaches.
While you’re thinking about showcasing innovative teaching practices, consider breaking the content up into a daily, weekly, or monthly series. Series are a great way to interact with followers on a regular basis. Plus, it gives you a template you can use to speed up content creation in the future.
-
Share educational resources and tips
Social media provides an excellent opportunity for schools to share educational resources, tips, and strategies with their followers. By curating and posting articles, infographics, or videos on relevant educational topics, schools can contribute to the professional development of educators, offer support to parents, and engage students in self-directed learning. From study guides and subject-specific resources to tips for effective time management and study techniques, the possibilities are vast.
-
Humanize the school community
Social media allows schools to showcase the human side of their community. Posting behind-the-scenes glimpses, interviews with teachers, staff spotlights, or student features adds a personal touch to the school's online presence. Sharing stories that resonate with the audience fosters a sense of belonging, creating stronger connections with students, parents, alumni, and the broader community.
-
Engage in conversations and encourage interaction
An essential aspect of social media is its ability to foster conversations and encourage interaction. Schools should actively engage with their followers by responding to comments, asking questions, and initiating discussions. By doing so, schools create a vibrant online community where students, parents, and alumni can connect, share their thoughts, and contribute to the school's growth and improvement.
-
Go live more
While you’re thinking about engagement, consider going live more often. Live video allows you to engage in real time, so it makes sense that it’s the third most engaging type of in-feed content, and it’s the type of authentic, less-produced video 34 percent of consumers are looking for. The best part is that you can reuse this content by repurposing video.
-
Repurpose content
Repurposing content is a lifesaver because it helps you get extra life out of existing content. Identify your most popular videos so you are reusing content you know works. What your audience likes on one network may do well on another, and maybe even better. Reshare on your story or edit longer videos into shorter formats like TikTok.
-
Create bite-sized video clips
People find short-form videos 2.5 times more engaging than long-form. Feed this interest by posting 10-15 second video clips. Bite-sized clips require minimal shooting and editing, but can lead to big engagement.
Social media offers schools a powerful platform to connect, engage, and build strong relationships with their stakeholders. By strategically planning their social media content, schools can effectively utilize these platforms to promote achievements, share updates, showcase innovative practices, provide educational resources, humanize their community, and encourage interaction. Embracing social media as a communication tool opens up opportunities for schools to enhance their online presence, strengthen community ties, and create a positive image. By implementing the suggestions mentioned in this blog post, schools can make the most of social media to communicate effectively and engage with their audience.
Remember, consistency is key when it comes to posting on social media. Develop a content calendar to plan and schedule posts in advance, ensuring a regular and steady flow of information. Additionally, it's essential to tailor your content to suit the specific platform you are using. Each social media platform has its unique features and user demographics, so understanding the nuances of each platform will help you deliver content that resonates with your audience.
Furthermore, it's essential to monitor and analyze the performance of your social media posts. Pay attention to engagement metrics such as likes, shares, comments, and click-through rates. This data will provide valuable insights into the type of content that resonates most with your audience, allowing you to refine your social media strategy and deliver even more impactful content in the future.
Lastly, while it's important to maintain a professional and informative tone on social media, feel free to inject some personality and creativity into your posts. Experiment with different formats, such as videos, infographics, or live streaming, to keep your audience engaged and interested.
In conclusion, social media is a powerful tool that schools can use to connect, engage, and communicate with their stakeholders. By strategically planning and curating content that promotes achievements, shares updates, showcases innovative practices, provides educational resources, humanizes the school community, and encourages interaction, schools can harness the full potential of social media. Embrace the digital landscape, and let social media be the bridge that brings your school community closer together.
