Integrating social media within a school system is no easy task. It takes consistent effort to keep pages updated with current information, and determination to spread the word about a school’s latest happenings. Catholic schools are no different. Social media is the modern key to spreading awareness about brands, so it shouldn’t be avoided by any means. It can help educate those outside of the school system, and possibly bring in new students from all around. But, how exactly does a Catholic school integrate social media into their day-to-day operations? Simply put: with time and planning. Search for your School Utilize all search engines and prominent social media pages to find out what third-party information has been uploaded to the internet recently. This will give you an idea of your school’s public persona as it appears online, or, in other words, a foundation to begin with. With how easily accessible public information is today (thanks in large part due to social media), it this shouldn’t be too challenging of a task. Strategy Now you can begin working on your strategy. After doing some research, it should be clear what the general goals of a school social media page are. Perhaps the school needs to be seen in better light. Perhaps a social media page would create better communication between students, teachers, and parents. In the beginning, it is okay to focus on just one or two goals. However, those running the social media accounts will want to use the internet to their full advantage, and the school itself would be wise to brand itself as a social media-savvy educational hub. Hire a Social Media Manager This does not have to necessarily be a professional in the social media marketing industry, but rather an individual experienced enough in the world of social media to understand the fundamental needs and goals. This person will be responsible for the upkeep of the school’s social media pages, responding to messages and inquiries about the school as well. Plan Ahead It is important to know what, where, and when you are going to post ahead of time, so being several weeks ahead is an advantage for all social media managers. This gives your pages and profiles plenty of time to prepare and perfect their posts. The social media manager should be knowledgeable about the schedule for school events, for example, so they can keep everyone updated online. Originally published on SteveVirgadamo.net