5 Easy Ways to Get Parents to Read Your School Newsletter on Social Media
You’ve got important info to communicate with families, faculty, and community members. Here are five surefire ways to get readers to notice and engage with your content on social media.
Although parents increasingly get school info via email, the average open rate for school emails is still 49%, which leaves a lot of parents in the dark. Since more than 70% of K-12 parents have smartphones, which they invariably check first thing when they wake up (and all other hours of the day!), social media can be an excellent way to ensure you reach all parents, no matter where they are.
But how you post on social is just as important as what you post.
Say goodbye to the opening phrase, “Check out.” And say hello to five new strategies to hook your readers.
I’ve noticed almost everyone who posts their school newsletters on social media introduces it with, “Check out this week’s School News” this is fine, but it’s a little vanilla. Like the opening sentence of an essay, an article, or a book, a tweet — or a post on any social media channel — has to catch the attention of its readers. Here are simple ways that you can get your newsletter the attention it deserves:
💬 Social media can be an excellent way to ensure you reach all parents, no matter where they are. But how you post on social is just as important as what you post.
1. Spell out the read time
Shari Dawson makes her “check this out” pop by spelling out the read time. It’s an easy way to let folks know.
Check this out. 3 min read! @Region10ESC https://t.co/qbvkhTruoQ“
Shari Dawson (@sdawsonR10TL) February 8, 2022
2. Share an anecdote
The principal of Indian Landing Elementary hooks readers by sharing a specific anecdote from the newsletter. It’s a great hook that will get folks to open your newsletter.
3. A video is worth 2,000 words
San Marcos not only gives the headlines, but embeds an eye-catching video. How can you not click that link? Go Rattlers!
4. Use Bullet Points!
Genesee Valley Central School shares a bulleted list of the important items.
It’s the final week before Mid-Winter Break and we’ve got a lot going on!
Genesee Valley Central School (@GenValleyNews) February 14, 2022
✅ VIDEO: Tubing Trip
✅ Conceptual Self-Portraits
✅ Yearbook Info
✅ Home Alone Safety Course (Feb 16)
✅ Babysitter Training (Feb 17)
✅ Ice Skating Trip (Feb 19)
More info: https://t.co/1vT4Me6ANu. pic.twitter.com/N7grxDkKGg“
5. Quote the One Big Thing
Fulton High School leads with the big news. If you read nothing else, you know what the headline news is.
The takeaway? You’re posting your newsletter on Twitter and Facebook to ensure it reaches a broader audience. Pick one of (or all!) the 5 tips we’ve shared and watch your click rates climb. 📈
Need a starter template? You can find one here. Have a Smore best practice or success story to share? Share it here. We’d love to hear from you.
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