Social media is a fundamental component of your independent school’s marketing strategy. With media platforms constantly evolving and introducing new changes, you need to stay on top of trends to work smarter and use the new tools to better market your school.
I’ve gathered the top 8 social media trends for you to consider and leverage in 2023 for your independent school as you strategize your social media marketing plan for the year:
- Increased Focus on Video Content: Video content continues to dominate social media, with platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels leading the way. Schools can leverage this trend by creating short-form videos that showcase campus life, student activities and academic programs.
- The Emergence of Niche Social Media Platforms: Niche social media platforms are becoming increasingly popular, with apps like Clubhouse and TikTok catering to specific interests and communities. Consider using these platforms to reach your school’s target audience and connect with like-minded families.
- Increased Use of Augmented Reality (AR): AR is becoming more prevalent on social media platforms, allowing users to interact with virtual elements in real-world settings. With 85 percent of Americans owning a smartphone, an augmented reality mobile app for campus tours could be an attractive and user-friendly tool for independent schools seeking to engage with students and families. Apps such as Story, Quantumera, CampusAR are good resources to create an immersive campus tour or showcase your facilities with AR.
- Social Media Influencer Marketing: Social media influencers are playing an increasingly important role in marketing, particularly in reaching younger audiences. Schools can collaborate with relevant influencers to promote their brand and showcase their values. Here’s everything you need to know to find influencers.
- More Emphasis on Personalization: Social media algorithms are becoming more sophisticated, allowing for greater personalization of content. Try tailoring your school’s social media content to your target audiences’ interests and preferences to increase engagement and conversion rates.
- Increased Use of Chatbots: Chatbots are becoming more prevalent on social media platforms, providing a convenient way to interact with prospective families and answer their questions. You can use Chatbots to improve your customer service and provide a better user experience, particularly around inquiries.
- More Emphasis on User-Generated Content: User-generated content is becoming increasingly important on social media with platforms like Instagram and TikTok allowing users to share their own content. Encourage your students, parents and alumni to share their experiences and stories with your school on social media, creating a sense of community and building brand loyalty.
- Increased Importance of Social Listening: Social listening involves monitoring social media channels for mentions of your brand, competitors or industry trends. Use social listening tools to stay informed about what your target audience is saying, identify areas for improvement and address any negative feedback or comments in a timely and effective manner. Some of the top social listening tools for 2023 include: SproutSocial, Meltwater, Talkwalker, Brandwatch, BuzzSumo, Brand24 and YouScan. Check them out and see which tool works best for your school.
Need more tips on best-practice Social Media Marketing? Check out our Kalix Resources.
Download the free Digital and Social Marketing Musts e-book
Read our blog post on A School Marketer’s Guide to Integrated Social Media
Check out our infographic on 10 Steps to an Effective Social Media Audit.
How can Kalix help you reach your digital and social marketing goals? Contact us.
