As we've mentioned in previous posts, schools need to ensure communication remains a top priority. What good is the investment in branding if it won't be communicated? To avoid silence, map out a year-long communication calendar.
WHO: First, identify who you need to communicate with:
Internal
Board of Directors / Governing Board (current)
Staff and teachers
Students
Parents and their surrogates
Internal/External
Alumni
Board of Directors / Governing Board (past)
Business partners
District or Charter School Institute for your Sttate
Current students and parents
Volunteers
Your State's Association of Charter Schools
External
City services partners
Your State's Department of Education
Community (broad)
Community leaders
Cultural partners
Daycare/pre-school providers
Educational partners
Elected officials and legislators
Funders/philanthropists
Government agencies
Local businesses
Neighbors (narrow)
News media
Prospective students /parents
Teachers/principals at other schools in your network
Youth organizations
WHAT: Second, identify what you are communicating:
Back to school nights
Breaks/holidays
Your State's DOE School Performance Framework
Results
Choice deadlines
End of school-year communication
Graduation
Grant reports
Home visits
Newsletter
October count
Parent/teacher conferences
Planning and professional
development days
Prospective family open houses
Re-enrollment commitment
Report cards
School budgeting
School fundraiser
School sports
School trips
Staffing announcements
State student assessments
Student recruitment
Teacher appreciation
Volunteer appreciation
WHEN: Third, identify when you need to communicate:
Map out a year-long communications calendar August through July. When recording communication events on your calendar, be sure to indicate a targeted audience. In preparing your communication, review the list of questions below.
When designing communication for each audience, ask yourself…
What do we want this audience to do for us on this issue?
What does this audience know of this issue now?
What is the best way to reach this audience?
Who influences this audience on this issue?
What are the messages that will work for this audience on this issue?
What are the major barriers to accomplishing our goal with this audience? How can we overcome those barriers?
Are you a charter school management company? Let's talk about your brand strategy! Schedule a discovery call with us here: https://www.educationalbrands.com/book
Comments