Panic Posting? There’s a Better Way!
If you have ever had a slight panic attack because you realized at 10 P.M. that your school’s social media page hasn’t posted anything in a week, you are not alone. As the 18 year-old Social Media Coordinator at Blueprint Schools, trust me, I have been there. Managing social media for an organization while juggling other responsibilities is no easy task, especially for a teenager balancing extracurriculars, school, college planning, etc. After much trial and (a lot of) error, I discovered a secret weapon that your school can start using TODAY: a social media calendar.
This is actually my first article for Blueprint Schools, and my first published article ever, so I am super excited to share what I have learned along the way. I am a firm believer that social media has SO much potential to connect schools to their communities, and I can’t wait to share my tips and tricks to make managing social media a much easier process so that you don’t have to make some of the same mistakes I did!
First, a social media calendar is exactly what it sounds like, a schedule that lays out what content your school will post, where, and when. It keeps everything organized, prevents last-minute scrambles, and ensures that your school is providing a well-rounded mix of content. Schools have a lot going on- sporting events, spirit weeks, club activities, and, of course, the occasional snow day announcement (arguably one of the most important posts of the school year). A well-organized school social media calendar makes sure that none of these moments slip away.
When I first started managing social media, I always thought that I would just post whenever things would come up. However, much like the school year, there are seasons where there is a flurry of activity, and other times where nothing is going on. Important events got missed, and engagement suffered. Because of this, I was almost forced to make a plan and create a social media calendar that outlined what to post, which platforms to use, and when to post.
“But how does my school actually start?”
I have below three examples of some calendars to use for reference. One is for a high school platform, another for elementary, and the last one is for an early childhood center.
There are two posts that need some clarification before your school uses these calendars for inspiration. The first post is “Helpful Content.” Examples of helpful content would be:
Shared information about a community event (ex: Christmas parade, fireworks, local farmer’s market)
Helpful articles that might support parents and their needs (ex: back-to-school references, mental health services)
Tips from students or parents (ex: setting up your locker for the first time or first week of school tips)
The second post to clarify is the “Brand Message with Invite” post. These posts are designed to consistently share your school’s brand message with your community. They typically include either a real photo from your school or a high-quality template image that is paired with your tagline, brand message, mission/vision, or educational philosophy. Think of these posts as “on-brand storytelling” moments: they show your audience why your school exists, who it serves, and why it’s unique. When done well, brand message posts help reinforce your identity, build trust, and encourage future engagement.
Social media is not only used to inform your school, but it is a game changer for engaging your community. By taking a few minutes every week or month, your school's social media can be fun, organized, and engaging instead of chaotic and stressful.
So, take it from someone who has been through the social media scramble: start the calendar, stick with it, and watch how much easier (and enjoyable!) managing your social media becomes!
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