telling our story

TELLING OUR STORY We should control our message,

not have the message

determined for us.

UNDIRECTED MESSAGE

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SAGE

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“Given so much negative media about public education, schools can no longer leave public relations to chance. Social media allows schools to direct their followers to newspapers and TV segments featuring positive information.” ~Dorie Clark, Forbes Magazine

DIRECTED

MESSAGE

DIRECTED

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DIRECTED

MESSAGE

DIRECTED

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DIRECTED

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THE SIMPLE FACTS

2/3 of all American Adults are using social networking sites.

A number that systematically climbs by 7% yearly since Pew Research Center started tracking in 2005.

Visiting Social Sites is now the most popular online activity.

Ahead of personal email, online video and searches.

Social media is like word of mouth on steroids.

Social Media gives the news outlets a better story to write.

“The school districts that will thrive will be the ones using social media to engage their community, and aggressively enhance and protect their reputation. The ones who do not will find themselves playing defense with an unengaged public and a healthy number of skeptics who may question the value of public education in their community.” ~Dorie Clark, Forbes Magazine

Unfortunately, most schools are still treating social media like a notice board.

When in fact, it is so much more!

TELL YOUR SCHOOL’S STORY.

PROTECT AND ENHANCE YOUR REPUTATION.

PROMOTE YOUR SCHOOL.

SHOWCASE OUTSTANDING TEACHERS.

COMMUNICATE TO YOUR PARENTS.

ENGAGE WITH YOUR COMMUNITY.

CREATE TRUST AND TRANSPARENCY.

ADVOCATE FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES.

ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENTS.

IMPROVE EDUCATION AWARENESS.

SO HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

1. ASK FOR HELP

WE WANT YOU TO SUCCEED!If you need extra training please ask us. We would love to help out.Be sure to check out our website communications.provo.edu for tips.

Caleb PriceCoordinator of PR and Comm.Calebpr@provo.edu

Shauna SprungerCommunication Specialistshaunas@provo.edu

Josh EspinozaWeb Developerjoshe@provo.edu

Rob Francom

Website Systems Administratorrobertf@provo.edu

Jim ParkinElementary Websitesjamesp@provo.edu

2. BE ENGAGED

SOCIAL MEDIA IS A CONVERSATION!

See what is going on in the community and at other schools and join in the conversation. Follow the other schools in the district, share, like and comment.

3. LISTEN

A CONVERSATION IS A TWO WAY STREET!

Listen to your community and be prompt in your responses. Set up Google Alerts so you can be alerted when your school is in the news.

4. BE CONSISTENT

IF YOUR NOT CONSISTENT, FOLLOWERS LOOSE INTEREST!

• One Facebook post daily

• At least one tweet daily

• Update your website weekly

• Always keep your calendar up to dateWhen you’re consistent you create trust and your audience will grow.

5. BE IN THE KNOW

STAY CONNECTED WITH WHAT’S HAPPENING!

You need to know what is happening in order to report on it. Make sure your teachers/staff know that you are the point of contact for social media. Also, make sure your PTA knows you handle the school’s social media.

6. GET OTHERS

INVOLVED

You can’t be everywhere all the time and you have other responsibilities. Ask teachers to send you pictures of classroom activities or field trips. Plead your case at a faculty meeting or send your teachers emails. Enlist the assistance of your principal to get faculty buy-in.

GET HELP!

6. PROMOTE YOUR

SOCIAL MEDIA

Your community needs to know you are on social media.• Be sure your teachers and staff know.

• Include advertisements in email to parents.

• Include advertisements in take home materials with students.

• Post signs in the office and at the front of the school.

• Include advertisements on your marquee.

• Enlist the aid of your PTA president.

6. CHECK UP

CHECK ON YOUR OTHER SCHOOL SITES!

If you have other social media sites at your school, check up on them regularly. It is your responsibility to make sure they are using their site appropriately. You can follow their page and set your alerts to be alerted whenever they have posted or just check in on their page occasionally.

7. RESPOND APPROPRIATELY

DON’T REMOVE A COMMENT JUST BECAUSE IT IS NEGATIVE.

These comments provide an opportunity to engage with your public, answer questions and clear up any misperceptions.

However, comment should be removed if they violate any of the following guidelines:

• Content shall not be threatening, abusive, obscene, indecent or objectionable.

• Content shall not be offensive or hateful.

• Content shall not include any vulgar content/language.

• Content shall not be deceptive, false or misleading.

• Content shall not violate the intellectual property rights of other.

• Content shall not be illegal or promote any act that is illegal.

• Content shall not reference a third-party website or be self-promoting spam.

• Content shall not be any form of solicitation, including the advertisement of product, services, contests or charities not sanctioned by Provo City School District.

• Personally identifying content shall be limited to one’s own name. Other personal information will not be posted, nor will direct references to students, employees or any other person associated with Provo City School District.

• Content shall adhere to the policies and guidelines set forth by each social media site.

If removal of a comment or post is necessary, follows these steps:

1. Take a screen shot of the comment/post

2. Delete comment/post

3. Email comment to Caleb at calebpr@provo.edu

If you have any questions about whether a post should be removed, please contact Caleb.

8. FOLLOW CORRECT MEDIAPROCEDURES

We love it when your school gets the attention they deserve!

Should any media agency contact you about doing a story, please direct them to Caleb Price first.

9. SHARE WHAT YOU LEARN

Remember you’re not alone in this! This group of content managers is a wealth of opportunity and experience. Please share with each other what is working for your school. There is a content manager email group set up.

Also, make sure to take a moment and like and follow all the school pages throughout the district. Let’s show each other support! I shared a Google spreadsheet with the addresses on it.