“The parents of your next Reception intake are now following you on Twitter”

#Tweeting 101: Practical Introduction to Social Networks, Tuesday 12th June, Cavalry & Guards Club, London – round up by Nicky Adams, Marketing Consultant

So the first message sent by the power of the interweb was ‘LO’ – no, not the inaugural use of txt spk, but as far as the operator got with ‘LOGIN’ before the connection froze. Well thankfully the internet is usually a more reliable method of communication these days and one that schools can really take advantage of when it comes to staying in touch with prospective and current parents. mtmweb+digital’s recent #tweeting101 seminar was a whistle-stop tour of social networking for schools and gave a practical insight into how the power of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and the like can be harnessed to help keep your classrooms full.

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Marketers, web officers, heads, deputies and bursars came along to Piccadilly’s plush Cavalry & Guards Club on 12 June to get a grip on social networking for schools – and one message that came through loud and clear on the day was that that grip does need to be tight.

Indeed, there’s a palpable nervousness in the schools we visit as soon as the words ‘social’ and ‘networking’ are mentioned in the same sentence. But while many schools have so far been too wary even to dip in a toe, others have dived straight in and report that the water’s lovely.

#tweeting101 set out to give a thorough introduction to social networking – its pains and its pleasures – to better equip schools to make that decision on whether to take the plunge or just to paddle for a while.

Our first session gave a history of the internet – at breakneck speed – its rise from slow-blinking green on black to the wonderful WYSIWYG we see before us. We charted the growth of social networks, mourning the demise of some (anyone for Friendster?) and admiring the tenacity of the others – the networks that have become a favourite method of staying in touch with friends, family, colleagues and preferred products and services for 500 million adults worldwide.

This led nicely to our second session – a tour of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube, the practicalities on getting on board, how to manage your account and how to capitalise on the advantages of each network.

Our third session gave advice on how these advantages can not only contribute to the implementation of your school’s overall marketing and communications strategy, but how they can give it a positive boost – reaching parents in a way they like to be reached and at times that are convenient for them and are likely to command their full attention.

Because social networks are just another method of communication – alongside email, the telephone and speaking face-to-face. More than 60% of adults in the UK now use social media and it’s most popular among 15- to 45-year-olds. Of course this age range is key. Older teenagers are increasingly having a say in their schooling, so getting in touch with them in time to contribute to their choice of sixth form education is vital.  Up to 45s are likely to be your school’s main parent body demographic – so ignore them at your peril.

The fact is that the independent school target market is now on Twitter, Facebook and other social networks. To reach them, that is where your school has to be.

mtmconsulting can help your school to devise a Social Networking Action Plan – and to integrate social networking into your school’s marketing and communications strategy. To find out how, call Chris Smith on 0843 308 7548, or email csmith@mtmconsulting.co.uk

To register your interest in mtm web+digital’s next #Tweeting 101: Practical Introduction to Social Networks seminar and other digital and online marketing events, call Chris Smith on 0843 308 7548, or email csmith@mtmconsulting.co.uk

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