A good content strategy is key to sharing your #SchoolStories across the world. However, there always seems to be certain channels that continue to cause confusion. In this new series of #SchoolBytes we will be taking a look at the aspects of your content strategy that may still leave you scratching your head.

In this first edition, we will be looking at how to master Pinterest and make your #SchoolStories stand out.

You may be wondering how to use Pinterest in your school? Before we share how to become a master have a look at our suggestions for where Pinterest could be used in your school.

Food and Drink - Hungry? Pinterest's stunning visual platform is the perfect recipe for when it comes to sharing creative and innovative food ideas. Consider using Pinterest to fuel the inspiration for your future food tech classes.

Hi there, and welcome back to this article. Last week we looked at Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Google+.

The list doesn't end there! So, let's continue on from where we left it...

Happy #BackToSchool time everyone!!! Yes, it's the new academic year and you might just be wondering what social media breakthroughs have crept up on you over the summer holidays. 

Here is our handy summary of the social media you should be on RIGHT NOW, or at least getting very excited for! So...where shall we begin?

STATS!

Yes, statistics. We all love them - don't lie. These numbers and facts help us to see the reality of how entities such as social media effects us. More importantly they offer guidance in where your school should be driving its social media marketing strategy.

Overall

A "catalogue of ideas" - This is how the founder of Pinterest describes his website. It inspires users to "go out and do that thing".

Pinterest is a blank canvas, a bulletin board. Within boards users can pin images, videos, and other resources creating a collage.

All social media networks are expressive and give us the opportunity to be creative but all in their own unique way. When we are deciding which social media channels to use, we look at the content and must decide which channels to share the content on.

Creativity and Social Media

Creativity are expressive, inspiring and need a social platform which allows inspiration to blossom. Sure, it's possible to be creative on Twitter up to 140 characters, but it's not exactly a match made in heaven with the creative arts. Certain creative subjects have obvious social platforms. 

• SoundCloud - Music
• YouTube / Vimeo - Video
• Instagram / Flickr - Photography

Social media has given the art world a fantastic platform in which people can share their inspirational work! Pinterest is a place for individuals who are highly visual and creative.

So what can I do on Pinterest? 

People mistake social media for socialising. WRONG. People do socialise on social media, but that's just a tiny part of how we use social.

Social is used for learning, collaboration, productivity, writing, curation, entertainment, storytelling. Not just socialising with friends.

Students natively use social media to communicate, curate, and share ideas online.

As teachers, this gives you a great opportunity to increase their passion for learning. Giving access and implementing strong educational resources is a great way to engage students both inside and outside the classroom.

It’s important to incorporate your lesson materials using this new medium. It reaches students through a medium they use everyday. And it also chronicles all the tips, lessons and answers you provide in your stream.

Finding bold and innovative ways to use social media is a great way for your school to progress into this new generation. These are just a few ideas that you can infuse social media into your lesson plans to.

Using Snapchat for Quizzes

Schools are seriously misunderstanding Snapchat, and how people use it. Snapchat is trying to replace TV. It understands that people are moving away from tradition television into YouTube, Netflix, and other mobile channels.

Big media companies (Sky, Daily Mail, National Geographic) have set up their own channels on Snapchat because they understand that's where people are spending their time looking for entertainment.

Because of Snapchat's ephermal nature, teachers can use it for memory quizzes. Simply set the time (1-10 seconds) that you want the image or video to appear, and publish your story to Snapchat.

Many schools haven’t branched out past core communication platforms like Facebook and Twitter. And this leaves many of the most popular content channels untouched by school marketers.

People migrate to new networks all the time. And if your school is interested in keeping their attention, then they need to migrate with them.

It’s time to start embracing the future.

Places like Instagram and Pinterest can provide a lot of opportunity for schools to increase engagement among prospective families, pupils, and current parents.

The constant developments in the online world makes it important to embrace new channels as they emerge. This isn't to mean you should just start using them - but certainly to understand them

It’s the only way to keep up with pupils and continue engaging them in an online forum with inspiring stories.

People are Turning to Visual Platforms

We live in a very visual world, and young people are leading the revolution.

The success of visual-focused social media networks proves the trend. And–if for no other reason–that’s why you should invest resources into visually appealing content.

Keeping up-to-date with social media trends is difficult enough without worrying about future trends! Fortunately, the guys at TwinEngine have this covered for us all. Twitter is expected to position itself as the global newsroom and we are still waiting for Facebook to enter the world of search. 

This infographic explores different social media marketing trends and how they will take flight in 2013. 

Do you agree with these predictions? Do you have any of your own? Let us know in the comments below. 

Source: TwinEngine.