If you spend any time on social media today, you are just as likely to see conflict as you see cute baby animals and funny GIFs. And if you manage a social media community, you're already familiar with that moment when you see an uncomfortable post, tweet or comment. "Do I engage?" "Do I pretend …
Private-Messaging Expectations
When you work in social media every day, change is normal. Algorithms, tools, features, trends, ideas. But a few months ago, I realized that private messaging required more attention in a school system. This moment has actually been years in the making. As consumers wanted more flexibility than SMS texting offered, people began to migrate …
Play to Win?
Month to month, it seems social media is the preferred contest judge. Shares, likes, comments and favorites now have the power to grant awards, from a free bag of dog food to a $50,000 cash prize. Schools often find themselves at the center of the target, as generous corporations and foundations hope to make a …
Self Care: Social Media Manager Edition
Managing social media is a roller coaster full of climbs, free falls and loop-de-loops. And if there's one thing I've learned after a few years on this ride, it's that the ups and downs take a toll. Off-hand, it would seem like bad news would take the greatest toll -- the inevitable anger, shame, blame …
When teachers know best
Not long after we empowered our district's teachers to use social media in their classrooms, I saw a post from Mr. Stadalman's Fifth Grade Facebook page. It was an afternoon post I'd seen for a few days prior, and it looked something like this: A mom of elementary age kids, I know first-hand how difficult …
Accessibility on social media
Communications and IT leaders in school districts across the U.S. are working to ensure their district websites and online resources meet updated regulations by the American with Disabilities Act -- and social media content cannot be ignored. If your employees are using social media to communicate and engage, you must create content that is accessible …
Are you social on social media?
I once heard it said that a website is your living room, and social media is more like the kitchen or backyard. And because I can't pass up a good mullet analogy, I think of it as business in the front, party in the back. Social media isn't just another website or newsletter -- it's …
Empowering parents on social media
When we think about social media in schools, we typically focus on the communication, teaching and learning that we manage in our jobs. Parents are an indispensable ally in our efforts to teach digital citizenship -- and schools can help parents seize this opportunity. Even the most tech-savvy parent knows the uncertainty and worry that …
Live from Facebook: Your video!
Facebook leaders surprised the world by announcing on April 6 that live video had been made available in all Facebook pages groups. Cue the applause -- and every conceivable emoji -- as social media managers let that big news soak in. Facebook isn't the first to offer live stream video. Periscope and Meerkat hit the …
Facebook wishes granted in 2016
Despite the rapid growth and change that takes place in the social media landscape, Facebook still crushes its competition. With more than three times the daily traffic of Twitter and 10 times the traffic of Instagram, it remains the place where the largest audience goes to socially connect online. For districts using Facebook to engage …
