As I've scanned the environment over the last several years, I've come to appreciate the importance of social media, particularly to membership organizations. Social media is the new "word on the street," and any organization without a presence on it is at risk of obsolescence. Think about it: Will prospective families evaluate your school based on a slick brochure they get in the mail, or will they go to your website, quickly followed by Facebook, Twitter or even Yelp, to see what families and students are really saying about the educational experience you deliver?
This is the new reality. As a profession, we must get our arms around it because it is also reality for the students we are developing into tomorrow's leaders. I was once skeptical, but not anymore. Through Twitter alone, I have made many valuable professional connections on behalf of my work for NBOA.
That's why I read with great interest "Ten Reasons to Be a Connected Educator," Krissy Venosdale's compelling case to get connected. Take her reason 6: "FREE! Budgets are tight and PD funds are low. Twitter is one of the BEST ways [of getting] ongoing PD. And it's FREE."
Or take my own addition to this list: Reason 11. "Heads of School are on Twitter." Cynics may say this is because their assistants are tweeting for them. That may sometimes be true, but I and many others have made great connections with actual Heads of School on Twitter. Those connections, in turn, have evolved into rich conversations that have translated into better service to NBOA members. Needless to add, these connections would have never been made without Twitter.
The biggest anti-social media excuse I hear is, "It's just one more thing to do." I understand that, but it's easier than you think. My advice is to take 5 and follow 5! By that I mean take five minutes to set up a profile (including a photo), and then follow five Twitter users. My suggestions:
1. @shieldsNBOA (that's me)
2. @NBOAnet (that's your professional association)
The next three are the top Twitter users followed by other NBOA members:
3. @grantlichtman
4. @pgow
5. @michaelebeling
If you're feeling ambitious, follow some of the people these five follow. Whomever you follow, all their posts will appear in your Twitter feed or even in your email, depending on how you adjust your settings.
At its core, social media couldn't be more simple. You connect and share, and your brand—personal as well as that of your school—becomes stronger as a result.
I look forward to seeing you on Twitter.
