Social Media Strategies for Newmarket Daycare & Educational Centers
Learn the importance of utilizing social media effectively for daycare centers. This post covers strategies for Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and Twitter, offering insights on how to engage parents and promote activities.
Importance of a strong social media presence
Strategies for Facebook and Instagram
Utilizing YouTube and Pinterest effectively
Avoiding common social media pitfalls
If you're a parent looking for the best daycare for your child, you browse social media to get a glimpse of the centers' activities, updates, and events. However, many daycare centers fail to fully utilize these platforms. This blog post explores how Newmarket daycare and afterschool centers can enhance their social media presence, engaging with parents and building trust.
The Current State of Social Media Usage in Newmarket Daycare and Afterschool Centers
Many Newmarket daycare centers have a social media presence, but few use it to its fullest potential. According to recent research, 44% of centers use Facebook, 35% use Instagram, and a small percentage utilize YouTube, Pinterest, and Twitter. Despite this, many social accounts are either abandoned or used sporadically.
Research, June 2024 of Current Social Media Use:
Facebook: 44% of centers use Facebook, the most popular platform.
Instagram: 35% are active on Instagram.
YouTube: 11% have YouTube channels.
Pinterest: Only 5% use Pinterest.
Twitter: 7% are on Twitter.
No Social Media Presence: 11% do not use any social media.
No Website: 7% lack a website altogether.
Franchise: 20% are franchises, with more structured online and social media presence.
Observations:
Many centers using social media do not maximize its potential due to a lack of consistent updates, engaging content, and clear communication. In contrast, franchises tend to have more effective social media strategies because of their centralized management. There is a significant need for better communication of updates, sales, and special events, as random or infrequent posts fail to engage audiences. In addition to the usual Facebook and Instagram, some centers use YouTube channels to demonstrate creativity through class videos, interviews, and success stories, which help build trust within the community. Additionally, Pinterest is highly underutilized; art schools and daycares could showcase activities that parents can try at home, thereby boosting engagement and visibility. Therefore, there needs to be a better understanding of how to use different platforms effectively, as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest each have unique audiences and should be used strategically.
Facebook vs. Instagram
Facebook remains a dominant platform for daycare centers. Here’s how to leverage it effectively.
Regular Updates
Keep parents informed with regular updates about daily activities, special events, and announcements.
Daily Activities - Share updates about the day's activities, showcasing what the children are learning and enjoying.
Special Events - Post announcements and photos from special events such as holiday parties, field trips, and parent meetings.
Important Announcements - Use Facebook to communicate important announcements, such as policy changes, new programs, or emergency notifications.
Engaging Content
Encourage conversations and interactions with your followers
Ask Questions - Post questions to engage parents and encourage them to share their thoughts and experiences.
Respond to Comments - Actively respond to comments and messages to show that you value parent feedback and interaction.
Polls and Surveys - Use Facebook's polling feature to gather feedback and opinions from parents.
Visual Content
High-quality photos and videos are crucial for engaging parents and showcasing your daycare center.
Photos - Share photos of children participating in activities, playing, and interacting with staff.
Videos - Post short videos that highlight special moments, activities, and events at your daycare center.
Albums - Create photo albums for special events or themed activities to make it easy for parents to browse and share.
Shareable Content
Create and share content that parents will find valuable and want to share with others.
Curated Content - Share informational posts from important educational platforms and parenting resources. Note: Avoid news articles to comply with Canadian regulations.
Infographics - Design and share infographics that provide useful tips and information for parents.
Guides and How-Tos - Post guides and how-to articles on various parenting and educational topics.
Consistent Posting
Maintain a regular posting schedule to keep your audience engaged and informed.
Post Frequency - Aim to post at least 3-5 times per week.
Scheduled Posts - Use Facebook's scheduling tools to plan and automate your posts.
Links in Posts
Facebook allows the inclusion of links in posts, which can drive traffic to your website and other online resources.
Website Links - Include links to your daycare center’s website in relevant posts.
Blog Posts - Share links to blog posts that provide valuable information for parents.
Event Pages - Link to event pages for upcoming activities and special events.
Facebook Live
Use Facebook Live to connect with your audience in real-time and provide valuable content.
Q&A Sessions - Host live Q&A sessions where parents can ask questions about your daycare center, programs, and staff.
Virtual Tours - Offer virtual tours of your facility, showcasing classrooms, play areas, and outdoor spaces.
Special Events - Stream special events, such as holiday celebrations, parent meetings, or educational workshops.
User-Generated Content
Encourage parents to share their own content and tag your daycare center.
Photo Contests - Host photo contests where parents can share pictures of their children and tag your daycare for a chance to be featured.
Testimonials - Share testimonials and reviews from parents as user-generated content on your feed and stories.
Parent Contributions - Invite parents to contribute content, such as guest posts or tips for other parents.
Instagram is perfect for sharing visually appealing own content. Here’s how to stand out.
Consistent Posting
Maintaining a regular posting schedule is crucial to keep your audience engaged and informed.
Post Frequency - Aim to post at least 3-5 times per week.
Content Variety - Mix up your content with photos, videos, and graphics to keep your feed dynamic and interesting.
Scheduling Tools - Use scheduling tools like Later or Buffer to plan and automate your posts.
Use Stories
Instagram Stories are a great way to share short, engaging updates and behind-the-scenes content.
Daily Updates - Post daily stories showcasing the day’s activities, events, and special moments.
Behind-the-Scenes - Share behind-the-scenes content such as staff preparing activities, setting up classrooms, or candid moments with the children.
Interactive Elements - Use polls, questions, and quizzes to engage with your audience and gather feedback.
Hashtags
Utilizing relevant hashtags helps reach a broader audience and increase visibility.
Branded Hashtags - Create and promote a unique hashtag for your daycare center, encouraging parents to use it when posting about their children’s experiences.
Popular Hashtags - Use popular hashtags related to childcare, parenting, and early education to attract new followers.
Localized Hashtags - Include location-based hashtags to connect with the local community.
Visual Content
Instagram is a visually driven platform, so high-quality images and videos are essential.
Professional Photos - Invest in a good camera or hire a professional photographer to capture high-quality images of your daycare center.
Video Clips - Share short video clips of children participating in activities, playing, and interacting with staff.
Photo Editing - Use photo editing apps to enhance your images and maintain a cohesive aesthetic for your feed.
User-Generated Content
Encourage parents to share their own content and tag your daycare center.
Photo Contests - Host photo contests where parents can share pictures of their children and tag your daycare for a chance to be featured.
Testimonials - Share testimonials and reviews from parents as user-generated content on your feed and stories.
Parent Contributions - Invite parents to contribute content, such as guest posts or tips for other parents.
Highlights
Create Instagram Highlights to keep important stories accessible on your profile.
Events - Highlight stories from special events and celebrations.
Daily Activities - Create a highlight for daily activities, giving new visitors a glimpse of what to expect.
Parent Resources - Provide valuable resources and tips for parents, such as educational content, health tips, and activity ideas.
Influencer Collaborations
Collaborate with local influencers or parenting bloggers to expand your reach.
Sponsored Posts - Partner with influencers to create sponsored posts showcasing your daycare center.
Giveaways - Host giveaways in collaboration with influencers to attract new followers and engage your audience.
Guest Appearances - Invite influencers to visit your daycare center and share their experiences with their followers.
The Power of YouTube
YouTube is a powerful platform for daycare centers, yet it can see more use. Centers that use YouTube effectively create trust by showcasing their classes, interviewing staff, and highlighting success stories. YouTube offers unique opportunities to engage with parents and showcase your center’s environment.
Feature interviews with staff and satisfied parents.
Share stories of children's progress and achievements.
Share instructional videos to help with assignments.
Pinterest: An Untapped Resource
Pinterest is highly underutilized, especially by art schools and daycares. It can be an excellent channel to showcase activities that parents can try at home. Pinterest can drive engagement by providing parents with creative ideas and activities, and it can link to your blog or website.
Create boards with various activities that parents can replicate at home. Offer downloads free for engagement.
Share ideas for seasonal and holiday-themed activities.
Encourage parents to share their own ideas and successes.
Platform-Specific Strategies
Different social media platforms cater to different audiences. Understanding how to separate your Facebook crowd from your Instagram followers and YouTube viewers is crucial.
Tailoring Content for Each Platform
Each social media platform has its unique audience and content preferences.
Use Facebook for detailed updates with links to your website, and Instagram for visual storytelling and announcements.
Use YouTube for video content updates, interviews, concerts, podcasts, dance or art instructions.
Use Pinterest for creative activities ideas with links to your blog/website.
The Role of Twitter
Twitter, though less commonly used by daycare centers, can still play a role in your social media strategy. Research suggests Twitter is preferred by a younger male audience for short statements, making it less ideal for daycare activities.
Utilizing Twitter Wisely
“Behind every young child who believes in himself is a parent who believed first.” – Matthew Jacobson pic.twitter.com/cZUx0kt63z
— EPA_kids++ (@EPA_Kids) June 11, 2024
While not the primary platform, Twitter can still be useful for quick updates and announcements.
Share quick news and updates.
Tweet about upcoming events and special programs.
Retweet and interact with relevant community content for engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions about Social Media Strategies for Daycare Centers
Why should daycare centers use social media? Social media helps build trust, engage with parents, and promote the daycare center’s activities and values.
How often should we post on Facebook and Instagram? Aim to post at least 3-5 times per week to keep your audience engaged.
What type of content performs best on YouTube? Videos showcasing daily activities, interviews, and success stories are highly engaging.
Can Pinterest really help my daycare center? Yes, Pinterest can drive engagement by providing creative ideas and activities that parents can try at home.
Is Twitter worth using for a daycare center? While not essential, Twitter can be useful for quick updates and event promotions.
Pro tip: Encourage your social media manager to create a month-long content calendar. Plan out posts for Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, ensuring a mix of daily updates, special events, and engaging activities. Track engagement metrics to see what types of content resonate most with your audience.
If you take time to improve your daycare center’s social media presence, making it stable, reliable and interesting, this can significantly impact your engagement with parents and the community. Think about the strengths of each platform and how maintaining consistent, engaging content, you can build trust and showcase the vibrant environment your center offers.
Start improving your daycare center’s social media presence today! Follow our blog for more tips and strategies on engaging with your community and building a strong online presence. Book a FREE CONSULTATION to discuss your marketing goals and how we can help.
