Mastering Social Media for Schools

How does your Facebook page measure up? Andrea knows just what to look for in a great school page! This episode dishes out a checklist that will help your school Facebook page shine!

IN THIS EPISODE, ANDREA HIGHLIGHTS 10 ITEMS:

1. Profile image - logo
2. Customized username - URL
3. Facebook cover image - up-to-date and the right size. Watch the video tip here!
4. Two posts per day during the week
5. 75% of your posts are a celebration, not information
6. 1 video per week posted natively (not a YouTube link)
7. 90% of posts are native and not shared posts from other pages
8. The best photo is always posted first
9. Engaging posts - emojis, questions, celebratory in nature. Need ideas? This video will help!
10. Variety of content - what isn’t being represented?

Email Andrea your score at [email protected]

Follow Andrea on Twitter: @AndreaGribble

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Do you have a great Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram account? For a limited time, we are accepting self-nominations! We will pick out the very best for special recognition! Enter here.
• #K12PRtip Video - Facebook Cover Image - You're Probably Getting it Wrong!
• #K12PRtip Video - Make Your Social Media More Social With These 10 Phrases

Learn more about our membership program here. At #SocialSchool4EDU, we train your staff to be social media storytellers so you can stand out from other schools, celebrate your students and staff, and reach thousands in your community every day.

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

Everyone loves Cathy, and you’ll soon know why. Her passion for great communication extends from families to staff!

IN THIS EPISODE, CATHY EXPLAINS:

• How being an active parent at her children’s school led to her assignment as the first communications person in the district. 
• Why her district has focused on Facebook and Twitter as its only social media channels.
• Her journey through the APR process and the mindset that kept her going despite a major family situation.
• The successful #BeWell34 campaign that has united their entire staff.
• Countless more golden nuggets of wisdom!

SPECIAL GUEST

Cathy Kedjidjian, APR

Director of Communications & Strategic Planning

Glenview School District 34, Illinois

Follow Nicole on Twitter: @kateked

Email: [email protected] 

School Website: https://www.glenview34.org/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glenview34 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/glenview34 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Today’s #K12PRtip blog reference - Social Media Bootcamp (The Social Media Bootcamp is now being incorporated into our Membership Program. Learn more about our membership here!)
• Learn more about the #BeWell34 campaign on the website
• Check out this mindfulness app that is free for educators - Headspace
• Tweetbeam - an affordable way to share your story

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

It’s time to celebrate the Class of 2021! We learned a lot during the chaos of 2020 graduations, so we’re dishing our best tips to save you time and sanity.

IN THIS EPISODE, HEIDI SHARES:

• The best method to get information from senior students
• How many questions you really should ask your seniors
• Tips on what type of image should go with each post
• Strategy on where to post and how to schedule
• Tricks to get more interaction on your posts

SPECIAL GUEST

Heidi Feller

Chief Inspirational Officer

#SocialSchool4EDU

[email protected]

Twitter: @heidi_feller

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Social Media Bootcamp - The Social Media Bootcamp is now being incorporated into our Membership Program. Learn more about our membership here!
• Senior feature examples:
  • Customized graphic from New Auburn
  • Customized graphic from Barron
  • Senior photo only from Reedsburg
  • Multiple seniors in one post from Monroe
  • Instagram Story Videos from Superior

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

Not many school communicators take on the role of “director” at the age of 23. But in this episode, you’re going to meet one!

IN THIS EPISODE, NICOLE EXPLAINS:

• How her dream career in journalism led her to a school communications role.
• Who she reached out to for mentorship and professional growth opportunities when she was starting out.
• Why her district was one of the first to adopt Facebook back in 2009.
• What her team does to balance representation of 20 school buildings on social media.

SPECIAL GUEST

Nicole Kirby, APR

Director of Communication Services

Park Hill School District, MO

President-Elect of NSPRA

Follow Nicole on Twitter: @kirby310

Email: [email protected] 

School Website: https://www.parkhill.k12.mo.us/ 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkHillSchools 

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

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Today’s #K12PRtip blog reference - Top 10 Ways to Start a Post
• Gather feedback from your community - a link to Park Hill Listens on their homepage. 
  • Their tool of choice - Bang the Table
• Nicole’s first blog for NSPRA on Social Media in 2011 - Lessons from a Corporate Social Media Guru
• Register now for the NSPRA National Seminar - New Orleans. You can attend in-person or virtually. 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

You may not be able to spell her last name, but if you have been working in school communications for a few years, you will recognize it when you hear it! Janet Swiecichowski has a wealth of experience in the field and she is always willing to share her wisdom with others.

IN THIS EPISODE, JANET SHARES:

• Her drive for K12 communications - which is deeply rooted in her belief that there is nothing more important to the future of this country than our children.
• The features of a great social media strategy.
• Tips on incorporating social media into your referendum/bond campaign.
• Keys to using YouTube and LinkedIn effectively for your district.
• And oh so much more!!

SPECIAL GUEST

Janet Swiecichowski, APR, Fellow PRSA

Vice President at CEL

Follow Janet on Twitter: @jswitch

Email her at [email protected] 

Business Website: https://www.celpr.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CELcreative 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Book a free virtual meeting with Janet - click here!
• Blog - 5 Ways to Use LinkedIn for Your School District
• Blog - Vote Yes! Referendum Secrets from a Winning Campaign
• Check out the Tonka Facts that feature Ron and many other stories - click here
  • Another great lesson in the importance of hashtags - Janet was easily able to provide a link to all related stories because they used a consistent hashtag on this campaign!
• Mentioned in the intro - check out Lauren’s work on  https://www.facebook.com/LincolnElementarySCSD 

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

If you’ve ever wondered what can happen as a result of including social media as a specific part of your strategic communication plan, this interview is the perfect case study! Kimberly Uelmen, a recent 35 Under 35 NSPRA recipient, breaks down her role inside of the Howard-Suamico School District.

IN THIS EPISODE, KIMBERLY SHARES:

• Her extensive experience in dealing with “all the things” when it comes to School PR
• How her role was recently added to the communications team
• The secret behind growing their district Instagram account by 300% in less than a year
• Why social media is a focal point with all communication efforts

SPECIAL GUEST

Kimberly Uelmen

Communications Specialist

Howard-Suamico School District - Wisconsin

Follow Kimberly on Twitter: @kuelmen_PR 

LinkedIn - Kimberly Uelmen

Email: [email protected]   

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HSSD 

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

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Social Media Bootcamp - The Social Media Bootcamp is now being incorporated into our Membership Program. Learn more about our membership here!
• Today’s #K12PRtip - Getting started with Instagram Stories
  • View the entire playlist here
• Return to school campaign
  • COVID Hotline Post
  • Face Covering Requirement
• Graduation video
  • Here is the link to the Commencement Intro Video (2:41). 
  • Here is the link to the full Commencement Ceremony (1:32:44)

MORE RESOURCES

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

Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click here

Rocking social media in a district of 4,500 students with 9 different campuses when you’re a one-woman shop isn’t easy - but Melissa has learned a trick or two to help her stay on top of it all. Listen as I get to talk with one of my favorite school communicators from Missouri!

IN THIS EPISODE, MELISSA INSPIRES US WITH:

• How she ended up in School PR and just recently earned a seat at the leadership table for her district
• Ways to make social media “social”
• Why it’s critical to identify your audience on each platform (and she explains hers)
• Several campaigns which create amazing content that the community looks forward to each year

SPECIAL GUEST

Melissa McConnell

District Communications Specialist

Belton School District #124, Missouri

Also serves as the South Central Region Vice President for NSPRA

Follow Melissa on Twitter: @EdPRMack

Email: [email protected]  

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeltonSchools 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beltonschools124 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Check out the 2020-2021 Bell Ringer album
• Looking for ways to incorporate athletic updates? Check out the Pirates On Deck album

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

Are you concerned about the mental and emotional health of your students and staff? It’s one of the top concerns across our country, but many are struggling with strategies to help their schools deal with it. Today’s interview provides helpful advice and tools - for you the listener, and for your entire district.

IN THIS EPISODE, TASHA SHARES:

• Her personal struggle with depression after a life-changing accident at the age of 16  that left her paralyzed from the chest down.
• How the impact of having a close friend lose her son to suicide lead her to shift her speaking business from corporate clients to schools.
• The story of creating her new curriculum and The Power of PATH - Purpose, Attitude, Team, & Hope.
• Why she created a TikTok channel (even though she can’t dance) and how she uses social media to connect with teens.

SPECIAL GUEST

Tasha Schuh

Speaker, Author, and Resilience Expert

Tasha Schuh Inspirations LLC

Website: https://www.tashaschuh.com/ 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tashaschuh99 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tashaschuh 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/tashaSchuh 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Tashaschuh/ 

TikTok: @tashaschuh 

USEFUL INFORMATION

• K12PRtip - The Best Teacher I Ever Had Was… - click to see the post from Fort Osage School District
• Subscribe to Tasha’s inspirational quotes & messages - click here
• Learn more about Tasha’s curriculum: The Power of PATH Building Resilience for Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Curriculum™
• Book Tasha to speak at your school
• Tasha is the author of two amazing books - order on Amazon or on her website!

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

Now that hindsight truly is 2020, let’s look forward to making 2021 the best year for your school! Social media is a powerful tool to keep families engaged. This episode breaks down the latest strategies that are working for schools across the country. 

IN THIS EPISODE, ANDREA BREAKS DOWN:

• The current state of social media in K12
• What four things you should focus on with your social media efforts
• Ways to find stories inside and outside of your school buildings
• Eight specific things you can do to celebrate your school on social media

Email Andrea the one takeaway you will take action on at [email protected]

Follow Andrea on Twitter: @AndreaGribble

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Slides with examples - click here
• The Social Media Bootcamp is now being incorporated into our Membership Program. Learn more about our membership 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

This week’s guest has implemented a TON of great School PR in a short amount of time. This conversation is going to help every school communicator learn and grow!

IN THIS EPISODE, MOLLY SHARES:

• Her journey into #SchoolPR and how she leads communication efforts as a one-person shop with 23 schools and more than 13,000 students.
• Unique ways to engage your school community using fun social media ideas.
• How she implemented her first Instagram takeover in 2020.
• Why she feels getting connected to other school communicators is so important.

SPECIAL GUEST

Molly McGowan Gorsuch

Public Information Officer

Henderson County Public Schools (Hendersonville, North Carolina)

Follow Molly on Twitter: @MollyMGorsuch

Email: [email protected] 

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hcpsnc 

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

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Check out the Instagram Takeover Page for Seniors - @HCPS_seniors
• Guess the Bitmoji staff person - Atkinson Elementary post on Facebook and Instagram
• Roary, the stuffed mascot for Sugarloaf Elementary, helped introduce the building and staff to followers. Here is a post in the summer, before students came, and another one in September. 
• Of course, #HCPSfamily made our list of 15 Hip #Hashtags for Schools - read about it and other ideas for strong school hashtags 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