Crafting Campus Characters: Perfecting School ProfileS
A school's social media presence is much more than just a marketing tool - it's a vibrant canvas that reflects its unique community. Crafting compelling school profiles on social media involves weaving the stories of various community members into a cohesive, engaging narrative. Whether sharing stories about students, alumni, parents, or staff, each group brings a distinct perspective that enriches the school's online identity. Here’s how schools can perfect their profiles by shining a spotlight on these essential community members.
Students: The Heartbeat of the Campus
Students are at the core of any school, embodying the School’s values and energy. Schools will naturally be posting about their students on social media but this may not be targeted. To effectively highlight students, focus on their achievements, experiences and aspirations, as well as their demonstrations of the school’s values in action. Share stories of academic excellence and personal growth.
Personal testimonials and day-in-the-life videos provide deeper connections. Allowing students to take over the School’s Instagram account is a fantastic way of showcasing authentic student experiences. This not only excites current students as they take pride in having their voice heard, but such content, also appeals to prospective students who are eager to catch a genuine glimpse into daily life at the school. Take a look at Pulaski Academy’s, fantastic Student Takeover series that helps craft their campus characters and showcase life at the school.
Alumni: The Legacy Bearers
Alumni profiles are a testament to the school’s lasting impact. Highlighting successful alumni can inspire current students and strengthen the School’s reputation. Sharing stories of alumni who have made significant contributions in their respective fields is a fantastic way of highlighting the school’s and alumni’s success.
Crafting a #ContentStrategy such as an “Alumni Feature” is a fantastic way of maintaining and increasing alumni engagement. Encourage alumni to share their stories, lasting memories and the ways in which the School influenced them. It is important to showcase a wide variety of alumni and what they went on to achieve. Focusing on only the “famous” alumni limits your School’s authenticity and reach. Utilising LinkedIn is the perfect platform for creating Alumni profiles as Alumni make up a large proportion of your LinkedIn community.
Parents: The Support System
Parents play a crucial role in the school community, often working behind the scenes to support their children and the school. Posting about parents helps demonstrates a school’s appreciation and pride in parental achievements and contributions. Schools are often regarded as extended families, and spotlighting parents emphasises the tight-knit nature of the community.
You may already be posting parent testimonials and featuring videos discussing why they chose the school and how the school positively impacted their child. This does not necessarily convey the Parent’s authentic personality, which is crucial in crafting campus characters. This authenticity and relatability is what makes a perfect profile. Highlighting their stories and personalities through a Parent Spotlight #ContentStrategy is a fantastic way to showcase the authenticity of parents and their contributions as a member of the wider school community.
Staff: The Pillars of the Institution
Teachers, administrators and support staff are the backbone of the school. Their dedication and skills ensure the school runs smoothly and effectively. Not recognising their achievements publically disables schools from empowering campus characters.
Showcasing staff’s achievements and personality is a great way of elevating a school’s social media presence. The Field School in Washington DC have a fantastic “#FacultyFriday” series, where they highlight their staff both on a professional and personal level.
A dynamic social media presence for schools is essential in today’s digital landscape, serving as a vivid representation of a school’s mission and ethos. By thoughtfully highlighting students, alumni, parents and staff, schools can craft compelling narratives that resonate with a broad audience. Authentic, engaging content featuring these community members fosters a deeper connection with current and prospective stakeholders, enhancing the school’s online identity and strengthening its sense of community. Embracing this holistic approach ensures that the school’s story is told in its most vibrant and inclusive form.