If you know me, you know that I end every discussion or presentation with, “Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!” I am a huge believer in the power and influence of social media, especially within our GEAR UP community. Before we faced this current health crisis, much of my time, personally and professionally, was dedicated to building up our GEAR UP community online and building up your toolkits to engage online successfully. Social media has the power to move mountains and can be a key conduit to social change. Now that we have all moved our communities online for the foreseeable future, it is the perfect time to build up our GEAR UP social media community and support one another online.

Tip #1: Build a Welcoming Persona Online 

Since we are social distancing, people are turning to social media to feel connected to others. Have you noticed some of the accounts you follow seem to have distinct tones and personalities? That’s because the person behind the account is sharing their personality through the account, whether it’s a personal account or a brand account. Cultivate a voice behind your content and be available for connecting and engaging, whether it’s through replies, messages, or ways to contact you in your profile bio. Check out how Wichita GEAR UP conveys personality and emotion through their posts on Twitter, making their students and families continue to feel connected, despite not being able to meet in-person. We got to meet the person behind the account at the recent Capacity-Building Workshop and Anetra Miller’s personality definitely shines through their Wichita GEAR UP Twitter! Consider featuring your team to get to know the faces behind the programs like GEAR UP Alabama is doing on Instagram (check out their recent feature with GEAR UP Director Dr. Samantha Briggs).   

Tip #2: Consistently Engage 

Create campaigns to ensure you have regular content to post; #ScholarshipSaturday, #FinancialAidFriday, and more, are ways to provide important content to students and families, but to also continue to drive users to your profiles. Share photos of events with families and students to show how #GEARUPworks. Check out how San Marcos GEAR UP, through the University of Texas, Austin continues to publish content, even when they could no longer host in-person events. GEAR UP Iowa sites have also continued to consistently engage with NCCEP, other education groups, even kicking off their Virtual College Signing Day (Check out Better Make Room for ideas on how to host a Virtual College Signing Day for your community)!

Tip #3: Support One Another

Don’t have content to regularly post? Consistently engage with other programs and people to increase impressions on Twitter or views on Instagram.

Our #GEARUPworks family has always had a strong sense of community and support among one another. Continue that support online. Share exciting things others are doing, share articles featuring GEAR UP grants, and participate in features or campaigns other programs are hosting! Mount Wachusett Community College GEAR UP recently shared a Call to Action on Twitter, inviting the community to become more engaged and supportive. Check out how they are lifting up the #GEARUPworks message on Twitter.

Share best practices and tools to engage online with GEAR UP programs by participating in our NCCEP Instagram Story Video Features! We recently featured a Day in the Life of a GEAR UP Coordinator with GEAR UP Topeka, a leader in our social media community. Check out a few of their tips on how to post great Instagram Stories and email us to submit an idea for a feature.

Tip #4: Spread the word that #GEARUPworks 

We all know that #GEARUPworks because we see the success of our students and families every day. Use social media to uplift that message. Now, more than ever, GEAR UP needs the support of local and national leaders to continue funding GEAR UP, supporting GEAR UP, and ensuring a bright future for our students. Tag local and national leaders in your posts to show them how GEAR UP is investing in the future of their communities. Participate in social media campaigns like #HearOurEdStories, through an NCCEP partner, the Committee for Education Funding, to make sure national leaders know that #GEARUPworks!

Each and every day you work relentlessly to support your families, students, and communities. We see it exemplified in what you share online and what we hear at our annual convenings. Let’s continue to support each other, engage online, and support our communities. Connect with us online by tagging @edpartnerships and #GEARUPworks and contact us if you’d like to feature your best practices & tips on our Instagram Stories Video Features.