Social Media
The Shield's social media is run entirely by our social media managers, leaving me to delegate tasks and hold my managers accountable for fulfilling the expectations set for them.
In past years, the job outline for social media managers required posting a few times a week on different platforms, but I reviewed this at the beginning of the year so they now must post every day and are required to use Instagram. The managers post on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, which exposes our content to a wide variety of audiences.
In past years, the job outline for social media managers required posting a few times a week on different platforms, but I reviewed this at the beginning of the year so they now must post every day and are required to use Instagram. The managers post on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, which exposes our content to a wide variety of audiences.
The SEAs
This year, my staff and I decided to launch the very first Shield Entertainment Awards (SEAs). This 2023 media recap event brought attention to our A&E section and encouraged student involvement, as well as being a fun project for my staff and I to work on.
First, we released a nomination survey where students could send in their suggested winners for each category. The most-nominated pieces of media then became nominees, with one winner and a few honorable mentions for each award. These were released in an article, with each winner getting a short feature on its global impact in 2023.
Upping the excitement, we made regular social media posts about the SEAs. Posting allowed us to build anticipation before the awards, and celebrate our winners in the time after.
This year, my staff and I decided to launch the very first Shield Entertainment Awards (SEAs). This 2023 media recap event brought attention to our A&E section and encouraged student involvement, as well as being a fun project for my staff and I to work on.
First, we released a nomination survey where students could send in their suggested winners for each category. The most-nominated pieces of media then became nominees, with one winner and a few honorable mentions for each award. These were released in an article, with each winner getting a short feature on its global impact in 2023.
Upping the excitement, we made regular social media posts about the SEAs. Posting allowed us to build anticipation before the awards, and celebrate our winners in the time after.
Nailed It Failed It
In the 2022-2023 school year, a few Shield staff members began a series called "Nailed It Failed It," where they did interviews with students, challenges, and other fun videos. However, the series was run with little consistency of timing or hosts. I decided to revamp the series this year, appointing two hosts and one producer/editor. The team was expected to record and post a video ever few weeks, keeping up with seasonal and cultural relevance.
These videos have brought incredible amounts of traction to our site. Not only are they well made and funny, but they feature students from all around the school.
In the 2022-2023 school year, a few Shield staff members began a series called "Nailed It Failed It," where they did interviews with students, challenges, and other fun videos. However, the series was run with little consistency of timing or hosts. I decided to revamp the series this year, appointing two hosts and one producer/editor. The team was expected to record and post a video ever few weeks, keeping up with seasonal and cultural relevance.
These videos have brought incredible amounts of traction to our site. Not only are they well made and funny, but they feature students from all around the school.
Web
There's nothing quite like running an online publication, and I have absolutely fallen in love with the capabilities that come with working in a digital environment. As Editor-in-Chief, I have encouraged my staff to lean into the world of opportunity the format provides us.
Some of my favorite web accomplishments this year include:
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Brand Collaboration
In the fall of 2023, a representative from Iowa t-shirt company RAYGUN reached out to The Spartan Shield, having heard of our success and hoping to organize a collaboration t-shirt that could be sold across the community. I jumped at the opportunity, knowing that a brand collaboration would not only be fun, but a great way to spread the word about our site and market to the community. As of January 2024, the collaboration is still in the works, but I look forward to the day we are able to share it with the world!
Site Analytics
By examining the analytics of our website, I am able to see when our site gains the most views, telling me what topics, posting times and other media captures the attention of our audience.
In this graph of viewership within the last year, there are several clear peaks. The first, in late May, marks an article about Ron DeSantis that was published just shortly before he announced his presidential campaign, making it incredibly timely. Since then, the piece has gained over 7000 views.
The next series of peaks are all between late October and early December— exactly the times when I published my series on the school board election. This topic was not reported on much by other local new sources but was evidently important to the Shield's readership. After the first piece gained attention, I decided to write more, bringing increased traction to The Shield.
The next series of peaks are all between late October and early December— exactly the times when I published my series on the school board election. This topic was not reported on much by other local new sources but was evidently important to the Shield's readership. After the first piece gained attention, I decided to write more, bringing increased traction to The Shield.