As a consultant with private and independent Christian schools, I recognize that one of the most unspoken questions is “how do we measure up?”
Cindy Taylor of AISAP (Association of Independent School Admission Professionals) noted this on their site:
“Since starting at AISAP, I’ve heard probably dozens of comments expressing a similar sentiment. And while I understand why many want to be super-protective of confidential information and protect privacy, I wish we could all be more open about how we’re doing. It would help all of us — new-to-admissions and seasoned vets alike — better measure ourselves and benchmark our own efforts.”
Transparency. We all want it from others, but are WE willing to be transparent with one another?
May I challenge you to do that?
Would you be willing to (anonymously) share with AISAP your school’s data on conversion rate, student acquisition strategy, tuition schedule, retention rate and other facets of their businesses, to make all independent schools more educated, more savvy and more successful? In order to improve the effectiveness of all independent schools, I hope you will.
-Randy
[This is a 5-minute survey – you do not have to be an AISAP member to share your input. See link to survey below.]
BONUS – a chance to win a Kindle Fire!
For one randomly chosen, lucky winner… a Kindle Fire HD6! On July 1st, AISAP will randomly choose a winner from the participants who give their email!
TAKE THE AISAP SURVEY
[Scroll to bottom to listen to interview and to visit shownotes of this post for links to items mentioned in this episode]
Interview guest: Jaclyn Day, Director of Marketing and Communications at RenWeb School Management Software.
When it comes to social media, you definitely have to think about working SMARTER, not harder! There is so much to manage and get posted in a timely manner. If you are in communications, enrollment management, advancement or admissions and you are feeling overwhelmed by social media at your school, this episode will help!
Jaclyn Day, Director of Marketing and Communications at RenWeb School Management Software, answers these 5 questions:
- What tools can schools use to manage their social media profiles more easily?
- Where should schools focus their energy first?
- How can schools generate content for social media accounts if just one person at the school is responsible for updating and monitoring all of them?
- What are some ways to make social media and inbound marketing actually pay off for a school?
- How can schools get ahead of their competitors by using social media accounts or creating a content strategy for them?
As well, Jaclyn speaks of the RenWeb PowerConference coming up in July 2015. At this time, there is a waiting list, so those wanting to attend are encouraged to register in the event there is a last-minute cancellation. I (Randy) am speaking at this year’s PowerConference in San Antonio in 3 classes about social media.
JACLYN’S BIO:
Jaclyn Day is the Director of Marketing and Communications for RenWeb School Management Software. She oversees the brand’s editorial and visual strategy, coordinates all internal and external communications, and oversees digital/social content and engagement. Prior to joining RenWeb in 2009, she worked in Washington, DC, focusing on public relations that specialized in public affairs, digital strategy and corporate messaging. Jaclyn is passionate about social media and inbound marketing and how they relate to corporate communication in the digital age. After Jaclyn joined RenWeb, she developed a successful social media strategy from scratch and revamped internal and external marketing communications. Jaclyn received her Bachelor of Arts in Public Communication with a concentration in Public Relations from Washington Adventist University. She still lives and works in the Washington, DC area.
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GUEST POST FROM Chris K. Syme (@cksyme) – Chris is the founder of CKSyme Media Group, working in digital/social strategy & crisis PR.
Chris has updated her book “Practice Safe Social” and I am happy to share this resource with you so you can keep your students, parents, coaches and staff savvy and safe on social media!
Practice Safe Social 2.0 by Chris Syme
We’ve come a long way from the days where school meant reading, writing, and rithmetic. Today’s classroom is bursting with technology and the pressure on teachers to learn how to use that technology grows everyday. One of the hot button issues in today’s classroom is whether or not to incorporate social media into the curriculum. But before we can do that, we need to define a standard of responsibility. How do we teach teens to use social media responsibly? Where do we start? Or do we even start?
Practice Safe Social 2.0 is a good place to start. This blueprint includes all the necessary components that educators need to teach the responsible use of social media. And that’s where we start. Incorporating social media into the curriculum without teaching its responsible use is an ultimate fail. It’s like handing over the keys of a brand new car to a 13-year-old without any driver’s training. Practice Safe Social 2.0 is an updated version of my original training manual written in 2013. It includes specific instructions on how to put together a training for students, staff, coaches, and even parents. I have made the book free for the month of June and I encourage you to download a copy. In the book, I address the four necessary modules that training should include:
- Privacy and safety: Users should know their privacy settings inside out. Every time they send out a picture or post, they should know exactly who will see it. They need to understand the importance of guarding their privacy and how to create an online community that is not public.
- Best practices: Privacy doesn’t mean you can break every rule behind the curtain. Social media users must have a base understanding that whatever they post on social media is permanent and can be accessed by the public. There are guidelines for how to use screenshots tastefully.
- Building a personal brand on social media: This module is most important for staff and older students. I don’t recommend this information in depth for middle school kids. Understanding how to build a positive presence on social media is important. Whether we are vying for scholarships or a new job, our social media is now part of our resumé.
- Cyber harassment: Social media users need to understand two basic things about the four types of cyber harassment: how to lower your risk of being a victim and how to report and document it when you are harassed online. This goes as much for adults in the workplace as it does for students.
Chris Syme (Twitter: @cksyme)
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I love how practical Chris gets in this updated resource! You will want to get a copy of this for your entire staff. Social media is a powerful influence in our society today, both for good and for bad. Improper use or ignorance can embarrass, complicate or even worse, ruin a student’s life. They must be smart on social media – and you can help them do just that!
-Randy
You can download a free copy of Practice Safe Social 2.0 at Chris’ website here. Be sure and email Chris if you have any questions or concerns.
PIN FOR LATER:
Your faculty and staff represent the face of your school. They are the frontline customer service professionals.
As well, they are the people your alumni speak about when they tell about their life-changing upbringing at your school. Parents may be impressed with brand new facilities and glossy admission materials, but the stories of your teachers, office staff, administrators and extracurricular leaders are what they really want to know.
- When a young mother first glances at your website, what will she learn about the people whom she will soon trust to care for her “baby girl”?
- The middle school Dad may ask questions at a preview event about the winning or losing records of the coach for the boys’ basketball team.
- Upper school students may even try and find a Twitter handle or Instagram account for the band director or football coach so they can “investigate” what kind of people they really are.
- Passionate parents are often eager to know a teacher’s pedagogical principles.
So how can you satisfy these inquiring minds with the information and inspiration that will turn their heads toward enrolling in your school? In my guest post on edsocialmedia.com, I offer 5 things you should feature on your school’s website faculty pages, in your admission materials and on the wall near every staff member’s door.
READ FULL ARTICLE: “5 Ways Families Connect with Your Faculty & Staff”
