Tips to Amplify Your Message
Recently, I have thought a lot about the role of amplifiers in a school communication strategy. It seems to me that when we develop a group of people who know and understand the school message, we turn up the volume. Let’s face it: There are plenty of people willing to consume, spread, or create misinformation (or disinformation), and schools are not immune. To me, that means we need amplifiers of the school’s real messages.
How do we do it? In the next series of blog posts, we will share a few ideas on how to amplify your message.
Here’s our first tip: Use social media well (and strategically).
Part I: Develop a content strategy for social
Effective social media strategy means more than posting at the right time or using video. It is also much more than posting whatever content you can find at the moment. An effective social media strategy is planned, using a content strategy. Most of the content should be about the ideas, stories, celebrations, and information that you want people to know and understand.
For the sake of example, let’s suppose your school or district decides that one area that needs a boost is the story of a successful math program. Ok, then make that the topic of strategic posts over the next school year. This topic becomes part of your content strategy and you purposefully post it at purposeful intervals. Using some creativity, tell your math story with cute pictures of kids engaged in math activities, smiling teachers teaching, and in each post sprinkle in a little bit about your exemplary program or high results, or just any change in results.
Part 2: Amplify it!
Then, actively ask others to share the posts. Really. Talk to other people and ask them to share your message.
This was just an example, but the important point is repetition builds an impression. Your content strategy makes an impression that your math program is rock solid. Asking others to share your posts amplifies the message to a broader audience.
Take an active role
Don’t sit back and wait for it to happen. We really do need to go out and find ways to amplify your message. In the next blog post, we will talk about amplifying your message through creating school-friendly networks, including your community’s key influencers. The more people know the more that they can help tell your accurate story!
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