Mastering Social Media for Schools

You’re probably pretty well-versed in many things when it comes to school communications, especially after everything that has transpired over the last year. In today’s podcast, you’ll meet branding queen Marissa Weidenfeller who brought her marketing experience and put it to work in her alma mater at the perfect time!

IN THIS EPISODE, MARISSA SHARES:

• How volunteering to sit on a committee to establish a new communications role in the districts lead to her actually applying for the job.
• Her unique approach to helping train her staff on using social media in their schools.
• The secrets behind her OneFort campaign that was launched weeks before the pandemic hit in 2020.
• Why her school is using video to help tell its story.

SPECIAL GUEST

Marissa Weidenfeller

Communications & Community Engagement Specialist

School District of Fort Atkinson - Wisconsin

Email: [email protected] 

School Website: https://www.fortschools.org/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sdfort 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fortschools 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hs_fort 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sdfa-wi/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClGL7dCKjukvh6epgMeSjUQ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Marissa assembled links to all of her helpful content in one spot - click here! It includes:
  • 1Fort Campaign
  • 1Fort Finesse PLC highlight series on YouTube
  • A link to the gimbal she uses
• Join our membership program - click here to learn more!

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click here

www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

Meet Skyler from Tyler! He’s a business marketing mind who has recently entered the world of SchoolPR - and he has a LOT of strategies to share.

IN THIS EPISODE, SKYLER EXPLAINS:

• The social media approach his team takes in his district of 18,000+ students.
• How his secret ninja skill with drones comes in handy in his role.
• Why content on your school page should be similar to what you share on your personal page.
• What Tyler ISD is doing to help stay ADA compliant with its social media channels.

SPECIAL GUEST

Skyler Hefley

Social Media Strategist

Tyler ISD, Texas

Email: [email protected]  

School Website: https://www.tylerisd.org/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TylerISD 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tylerisd 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylerisd/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tyler-isd/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe-tG0wxadlexiQ2SO46c-w 

Podcast: https://tylerisd.buzzsprout.com/ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Join our membership program - click here to learn more!
• Construction Update : https://youtu.be/CejwZb7i3Y0

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click here

www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

Summer is almost here, and you may be wondering what social media should look like for your school or district.

IN THIS EPISODE, HEIDI & ANDREA DISCUSS:

• How often you should post during summer break
• What you can do now to prepare for summer content
• More than 10 easy ideas for you to use on your social media channels

SPECIAL GUEST

Heidi Feller

Chief Inspirational Officer

#SocialSchool4EDU

[email protected]

Twitter: @heidi_feller

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Social Media Bootcamp - This bootcamp is now being incorporated into our Membership Program. Learn more about our membership here!
• 52 Weeks of #ThrowbackThursday Captions - free one-page download
• Helpful blogs:
  • Summer 2020 - 10 Post Ideas for your School
  • Summer is Here - What Should I Post?
  • 20 Ideas to Keep Social Media Strong During Summer Break

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click here

www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

Myra Barrera may be only six months into her new role, but she is already ROCKING social media in her small community in Texas. Myra dishes out so many tips and tricks in this interview - you’re going to want to take notes!

IN THIS EPISODE, MYRA EXPLAINS:

• Her role in a district of 3,300 students and five campuses.
• How insights helped illustrate how well she was doing versus neighboring districts on social media.
• Why spending 10 minutes talking with someone to uncover a story is worth it.
• The importance of tagging organizations and those with a large following in your posts.

SPECIAL GUEST

Myra Barrera

Director of Communications & Foundation

Beeville Independent School District (Texas)

Follow Myra on Twitter - @MyraCBarrera

Connect with Myra on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo%C3%ABlle-doye-47baa431/

School Links:

Website: https://www.beevilleisd.net/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beevilleisd.net 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beevilleisd 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/beevilleisd 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/beeville_isd/ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• The importance of tagging - check out this post
• #TBT Post about 82-year-old bus driver
• 5 Ways to Use LinkedIn for Your School District
• Learn more about our membership program - click here

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click here

www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

One of the first friends I made in #SchoolPR when I started in 2014 was Joëlle Doye. Her love for schools is only matched by her love for Bon Jovi (who she has seen in concert 34 times). I can’t wait for you to meet her!

IN THIS EPISODE, JOELLE SHARES:

• Her journey from a newspaper editor, to part-time communications person, to full-time Communications Director!
• The impressive results that her position produced for this small district of 750 students.
• Three simple but completely effective social media campaigns you can do at your school starting NOW.
• The best advice for creating meaningful engagement with your community.

SPECIAL GUEST

Joëlle Doye

Communications Director

Mineral Point Unified School District (Wisconsin)

Follow Joëlle on Twitter - @Rockshot_Joelle

Connect with Joëlle on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo%C3%ABlle-doye-47baa431/

School Links:

Website: https://mineralpointschools.org/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MineralPointSchoolDistrict

Student Group - Pointer Media: https://pointermedia.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MPBlueCrew

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mpbluecrew/ (private account)

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Alumni Roll Call Example
• Share Your Senior Photo Example - make sure if you ask people to post a photo, that you have enabled them to do so. This simple video tip will help: https://youtu.be/qB-x-Bgvyzc 
• Flashback Friday Example

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click here

The school communicators that have grown up with social media certainly have a little bit of advantage. Today, Brandon Lorentz will prove that!

IN THIS EPISODE, BRANDON DISCUSSES:

• The unique, 130-year history of The Summit Country Day School.
• How video plays a critical role in connecting with alumni and families.
• Why being authentic and relatable on social media matters.
• The advantage of being an alumnus from the high school you attended.

SPECIAL GUEST

Brandon Lorentz

Assistant Director of Admission - Upper School & International Students

The Summit Country Day School, Cincinnati, OH

Follow Brandon on Twitter: @branlor17

School Website: https://www.summitcds.org/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SummitCDS 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SummitCDS 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summitcds/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-summit-country-day-school/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTVYOkBs9wHAj2Op1PfZpmQ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• #K12PRtip helpful blog: How to Use Facebook Premiere for Schools
• Video: This I Believe
• Blog on TikTo: How to Expand Your School’s Social Media Engagement Using TikTok
• Facebook Premiere videos: The Summit Historical Tour

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click here

www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

You might think your role in school communications is demanding. Well, today you’ll meet Megan Anthony, who helps serve four different Ohio schools AND her Educational Service Center with communication services - wow! 

IN THIS EPISODE, MEGAN EXPLAINS:

• How a struggle with anxiety landed her in School PR.
• The journey of a rebranding process with Greenon Local School District.
• Why trusting students with Instagram takeovers builds student engagement.
• Her social media ninja tricks to staying on top of it all.

SPECIAL GUEST

Megan Anthony

Communications Coordinator

Clark County Educational Service Center, Ohio

Follow Megan on Twitter - @MeganAnthonyPR 

Email: [email protected] 

Facebook Links: 

https://www.facebook.com/GreenonSchools 

https://www.facebook.com/clarkshawnee

https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldClarkCTC 

https://www.facebook.com/ClarkCountyESC 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenonschools

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GreenonSchools 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Megan is part of the Social Media Membership program with #SocialSchool4EDU. Learn more here!
• Branding Guide from Greenon Local Schools
• Example of their KnIGhts Takeover introduction on Instagram
• Building updates are great to share on social media! Here is an example of their video update.

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click here

www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

School social media managers are constantly fighting the Facebook algorithm to get their content in front of the right people. Let’s increase your followers AND the engagement on your school Facebook Page - in just five days! Join now at socialschool4edu.com/challenge.

IN THIS EPISODE, ANDREA BREAKS DOWN:

• The nuts & bolts of the 5 Day Challenge, happening April 26-30, 2021
• Five reasons why you should join, today!
  • You, your school, and your community need the positivity
  • FREE professional development
  • It’s fun and easy - each challenge takes less than 20 minutes to complete
  • Join a community of peers in a private Facebook group
  • One school will win $500! Plus, other prizes handed out daily for participation.

Sign-up now at socialschool4edu.com/challenge.

Follow Andrea on Twitter: @AndreaGribble

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Check out the new YouTube playlist featuring these podcasts in video format - click here!
• Retirements are here! Feature them on social media with one of these ideas:
  • A simple post from Hillsboro, WI - Mover 100 comments!
  • Video messages with photos from my Mom’s retirement - Again more than 100 comments!

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click here

www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

Working in school public relations as a one-person department is tough. If you’re looking for help but can’t hire a full-time support person, a student intern may be the answer! Today, you’ll hear from college student LeAnne Bugay, who helped out Bellevue Public Schools Director of Communications, Amanda Oliver.

IN THIS EPISODE, LEANNE SHARES:

• How she got involved in the paid internship program at her school.
• What her primary responsibilities were during the summer internship.
• How she helped create a communications plan for the district.
• Why this program is a Win-Win-Win combination for the communications professional, the student, and the district!

SPECIAL GUEST

LeAnne Bugay

Student

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

If you have questions for LeAnne - reach out on Twitter - @LeAnneBugay

You can also connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannebugay/

And if you want to chat with Amanda Oliver - jump over to Twitter - @OliverAmandaR 

Instagram: @bellevueschools_ne

Twitter: @BellevueSchools

Facebook: @BellevuePublicSchools

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Sign up for Social Media Bootcamp - This bootcamp is now being incorporated into our Membership Program. Learn more about our membership here!
• Blog - Need Help with Social Media? Hire an Intern!

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click here

www.SocialSchool4EDU.com

After listening to the El Paso Independent School District’s presentation at the recent TSPRA conference, I have a new nickname for Liliana Gonzalez. She is the Engagement Queen! The growth she has cultivated for the district is out of this world.

IN THIS EPISODE, LILY SHARES:

• Her unique Master’s Thesis: Twitter & Religion!
• How she grew her Facebook engagement from 9.3K to over 73K in just 6 months
• What simple tactic she used to garner more than 7,000 new fans on Instagram
• Why she invests time in interacting with students on social media
• The importance of being conversational in your writing style

SPECIAL GUEST

Liliana Gonzalez

Communications Specialist Multimedia

El Paso ISD, Texas

Email: [email protected] 

School Website: https://www.episd.org/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElPasoISD 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElPaso_ISD

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/episdschools/ 

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeBb26Ks/ 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• The Social Media Bootcamp is now being incorporated into our Membership Program. Learn more about our membership here!
• One page handout - Growing Your Social Media Audience Strategically

MORE RESOURCES

Free Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!

Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click here

www.SocialSchool4EDU.com