What is Storytelling?

When schools first consider implementing a storytelling approach as part of their strategy, it is generally considered a task for marketing. However, this is a common misconception.

Since the transition from Twitter to X, and the introduction of paid-for content on networks like Instagram and YouTube, you have probably seen a lot about social media verification. But what does it mean to be ‘verified’?

Social media verification is the confirmation of authenticity of an account, whether it belongs to an individual or an organisation. Traditionally, verification was given by the platform in the form of a blue checkmark on the user's account, but now verification is part of a paid package with exclusive features that anybody can buy.

Are you having a tough time figuring out if you should get your school account verified? Well, you’re in luck, because in this blog we will break down the pros and cons of both X Premium and Meta Verified. We’ll even give you our recommendations!

Hashtags, denoted by the # symbol and followed by text or numbers, serve as invaluable tools across social media platforms. These digital signposts categorise content, enabling seamless discovery and connection within the vast online landscape.

We have created the #StoryScore to focus on what is meaningful on social media. It is our social media reporting tool developed by our wonderful Interactive Schools data team. They have pulled every platform apart, combined with our social media expertise and strategy to create an algorithm to accurately measure your social media presence. Your #StoryScore reflects how well your school is performing on social media in terms of the quality and breadth of your stories and even whether you are living into your School values.

It is a numerical value between 0 and 100 based on our proprietary weighted algorithm.

At any school, headteachers take on the role of ‘Ship Captain’ ensuring that morale is high, teachers are pulling together in the same direction, and that their cargo is the most valuable plunder on the high seas! So why is it so important that they themselves have a strong social media presence? We’re so glad you asked!

It’s important to remember that the Head should be running their own accounts and telling their own stories, in order to share authenticity and a familiar tone of voice. As part of an effective #ContentStrategy, Heads should be using multiple channels to reach their intended audiences. As per our previous blog, Heads may also consider using a scheduling software to share their stories to multiple networks at once, while remembering to tailor the language to the requirements of those audiences:

Here at Interactive Schools, we understand that when working in school marketing, you often find yourself snowed-under and it can become difficult to prioritise your tasks. If you find yourself in this predicament, why not consider using social media scheduling tools?

What is social scheduling and why use it?

YouTube and Vimeo are both video sharing platforms. Both facilitate a smooth viewing experience, and both have options for free or paid-for accounts.

So what’s the difference? Should schools use one, the other, or both? We’re here to share our recommendations of how to use both platforms in your #ContentStrategy.

Overview

Since 2016, Instagram has allowed users to post stories, which are publicly available for 24-hours at the top of their profile. This has become a popular feature, with 500 million active users every day. Wish there wasn’t a time limit on how long this content shows on your profile? Then allow us to introduce you to Instagram Highlights!