Social Media &La Crosse Schools

The Question

“…how [can] social media tools could help the district communicate with our parents and our greater community.”

What Social Media Does

Social media gives the La Crosse Public School District an opportunity to engage students, parents and the broader community in an interactive conversation beyond what a traditional website offers.

When executed correctly social media reaches out into the daily lives of target markets and creates a long lasting relationship.

Social Media has the potential to create digital “word of mouth” that can reach potential students and their parents.

Effective S.M. Policies

Good policies

Empower

Encourage

Distribute

Separate personal from school

Bad policies

Hinder participation

Limit creativity

Over Centralize

Train staff, provide easily understood and accessible guides for teachers and students

So Let’s Have A Conversation!

Make it fun!

Be creative.

Be informative.

Be organic.

Not one-sided. Listen!

ToolsThere are a great many public and private social networks. Each one offers different advantages and challenges but here are a few that should be seriously considered as by the school district:

Facebook (page & School Groups)

Twitter (sport feeds?)

Pinterest

FourSquare (offers chances to play and be creative)

YouTube (or other video sharing sites)

Wherever your audience is at.

Build a relationship!

Tell stories – Video, Audio, links to blog posts & newsletters and other websites.

Share important but relevant information

Share good news (stay positive)

Play games and get interactive, not passive.

Be multi-channel so you can go where they are.

Managing Multi Channels

There are also online & software tools that will allow multiple properties to be managed more effectively from a single dashboard, as well as tools that will provide statistic and analytical data, that can be explored further.

Think Marathon

Creating an effective social media program will require a constant process of reevaluating efforts, taking risks and supporting the social media team.

It will also require a commitment to a marketing/promotions plan that reaches out to all stakeholders.

You can never stop learning or experimenting or you will be left behind.

You must think long term! Remember that students will eventually become community members so build a relationship that will last.

Choice

A strong social media outreach program can be an effective part of the district’s goal of becoming the “schools of choice” for our region.

Thank You!

I look forward to the opportunity of joining the La Crosse public School District team!

Presentation By

Timothy A. Keneipp