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Social Media Protocol

The social media use at the school level is a vital part of the Iredell-Statesville Schools district and school communication strategy.  It is important that schools embrace and use these tools to aid in their communications to their public and to promote the positive people and events within the schools.
 
It is an expectation that all Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education policies will be followed when posting to school social media pages.  To review that policy, click here.
 
Additionally: 
  1. All account information for all social media pages (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc.) is maintained by the public relations office and may be changed periodically, particularly if personnel changes are made
  2. Posts to social media should, whenever possible, drive people back to the school website (i.e., a short photo and caption on Twitter should link followers back to a full story on your school's webpage)
  3. Website widgets help connect the various social media pages with the school's website; contact the district webmaster for assistance with this
  4. Be personable in your commenting
  5. Keep all school accounts separate from your personal and professional accounts
  6. Encourage everyone over 13 years of age to participate in your social media; students under 13 years old should not be encouraged to use social media
  7. Ensure adherence to all FERPA regulations; if you do not have permission to post a photo on your school website, you do not have permission to post photos to social media pages; large group photos are always permissible
  8. Respond to all questions and comments in a timely fashion if a response is warranted; delete only those posts and comments that violate the district's social media norms
Tips for Social Media Use
  • Link all social media accounts so that one post to Facebook or YouTube will automatically show up on Twitter feeds
  • Remember your audience- while parents are becoming more and more familiar with Twitter, the majority still use Facebook, while students are more likely to view Twitter, Instagram, etc.
  • Tweet/post reminders, athletic contest updates, encouragement, or other general announcements; it's also fun for parents to see photos of students during the day
  • There is no minimum or maximum number of tweets/posts; most social media users don't mind the large frequency
  • Effective use of Twitter hashtags (#hashtags) will allow your tweets to easily be searched
  • It is okay and encouraged for your school to follow or become a fan of other schools, community organizations, and businesses, including state and national education leaders; however, following and becoming fans of individuals is discouraged
  • Monitor followers, replies, and mentions on a regular basis
  • Use the Facebook Question feature to ask questions and conduct fun or serious polls
  • Posts can be posted from Blackboard Connect (ConnectED) automatically to Facebook and Twitter; contact the PR department for assistance with linking these accounts
  • Change your cover pictures (profile pictures) frequently
Tips for Building Your Social Media Fan Base
  • Ensure there's something worth paying attention to, and more than just announcements 
  • Reach out to staff and other core supporters and ask them to follow you; also ask them to invite their friends and followers
  • Include your social media information with your general contact information- website widgets, newsletter icons, links in emails, email signature lines, etc.; encourage staff to do the same
  • Ensure that you mention your social media pages at every opportunity- school announcements, ConnectED phone calls to parents, in parent meetings, at staff meetings, etc.
  • Promote your school pages to your own friends and fans
  • Follow similar organizations, community organizations, and businesses
  • Use #hashtags that will appeal to specific audiences
  • Ask key communicators (i.e., engaged parents, school partners, etc.) to post about you; be sure to ask them to 'tag' you in a post
  • Consider giveaways, games, or contests
  • Participate in the online conversation; social media is meant to be social, not simply one-way communication talking at someone
Last Modified on May 1, 2013