SOCIAL MEDIA TO GO!

Objective

• D.A.R.E. SOCIAL MEDIA TO GO is D.A.R.E. America/International’s new social media initiative designed to create a national and international presence on Instagram and other social media sites.
• To optimize our success, we need to develop a “bank” of great content consisting of photos, videos, memes, quotes and other content that will be engaging and generate viral sharing by all who follow us.
• The most effective content will be brief interviews with kids and teens—as well as teachers/educators, D.A.R.E. officers, and parents—talking about D.A.R.E. in an unscripted, relaxed, natural way.
• Once captured and created, we are asking D.A.R.E. officers, D.A.R.E. students, teachers, parents and others who want to spread the positive D.A.R.E. message to submit your content to [email protected] or through the content upload form below. We will review and generate new Instagram postings multiple times a day. Search @dareinternational on Instagram to follow us!
• Below are “guidelines and guardrails” to help you generate great content!
• Ensure to follow all social media policies of your respective department and schools in which you serve. If your school or department does not have a general photo/video release, you can find a sample release form under the “D.A.R.E. Officers” section at www.dare.org.
• Finally, we also encourage you to create your own local D.A.R.E. Instragram and other social media platforms to promote D.A.R.E.! In doing so, we encourage you to follow the suggested “guidelines and guardrails” to maximize your effectiveness.

Instagram Content Tips: Photography

• DO consider using some of the different Instagram features to maximize your audience and spread your positive content.
  • Filters can enhance your photographs and increase interest in your posts.
  • Tagging other accounts will help increase your viewers and exposure.
  • Adding a tagged location will increase your exposure to local Instagram users.
  • Use clear and concise captions and consider using emojis to spark interest.
  • Consider using repost applications to share content among accounts.  This makes for increased and consistent content.
  • Post to your Instagram story. These photos and videos are available to be viewed by your audience for up to 24 hours before they are “deleted” from your story. Stories can be used to convey information or generate interest in the content posted to your newsfeed.

Instagram Content Tips: Videos

• Do utilize short video recordings to post to Instagram. Videos capacity on Instagram is 1 minute.
• Do use the Boomerang feature which loops 3 second videos. This feature can be used in the Instagram Story section or added from the Boomerang App. If you already have your own Instagram account, don’t be shy to utilize the boomerang option. You can take a boomerang video and save it to your phone.
  • Open Instagram→ swipe left→ choose “boomerang” at the bottom → record while pressing the button on the screen.
• Do have kids state their first name and age at the beginning of each video.
• Do have law enforcement/teachers/administrators give their full name, title, school, city, and state.
• Do use the following examples of questions when interviewing students about D.A.R.E:
  • Open ended questions are always best (i.e. “What is your favorite thing about D.A.R.E..?” vs. “Do you like the D.A.R.E. program?”).
  • Some good ice breaker questions are asking them where they’re from and for their favorite subject in school.
  • Some deeper questions:
    • “What have you learned from D.A.R.E.?”
    • “What is peer pressure to you?”
    • “How do you know when something doesn’t feel right?”
    • “Why should kids know the D.A.R.E. program?”
    • “How do you use the D.A.R.E. lessons in your everyday life?”
    • “How has D.A.R.E. helped you avoid dangerous or scary situations?”
• Do use the following example questions when interviewing educators: Example questions for teachers/educators
  • “How do the students respond to D.A.R.E.?”
  • “How have you seen D.A.R.E. change your students?”
  • “What’s something people may be surprised to hear about students and D.A.R.E.?”
  • “How has D.A.R.E. helped your students in their everyday lives?”
  • “What do you want your students to take away from D.A.R.E.?”
• Do use the following example questions for parents
  • “How does D.A.R.E. make the world a better place for your kid/s?”
  • “How have you seen D.A.R.E. impact your kids?”
  • “How has D.A.R.E. helped your kids in their everyday lives?”
  • “What has the D.A.R.E. program taught your kids?”
  • “What do you think is the best lesson D.A.R.E. has to offer?”
• Do use the following example questions for D.A.R.E. Officers:
  • “What are some misconceptions people might have about D.A.R.E.?”
  • “How have you seen D.A.R.E.’s impact on kids? What about teens?”
  • “What’s something people may be surprised to hear about D.A.R.E.?”
  • “How have you seen D.A.R.E. impact the community?”
  • “How long have you been with D.A.R.E.?”
  • “How does D.A.R.E. make the world a safer place for kids?”
• Do use the information gathered in videos to create motivational messages and thoughtful quotes. We would love to post your own words to share with our followers.

Instagram Content Tips: Cautions

• Do be aware of what is in the background of the photograph: student names, address of the school. Do not post any information that can compromise student safety.
• Do take your videos and photos in your phone’s camera function. Do review all images and videos before posting to ensure there is nothing offensive or damaging to the mission of D.A.R.E. America or your Department.
• Do coordinate all social media efforts with your Department Social Media Liaison or Public Information Officer.
• Do have a disclaimer in your Instagram biography.
• Do not post any photo or video of any student who does not have a social media waiver on file with the school.