Strategic Social Media: Planning Your Digital Presence

Strategic Social Media: Planning Your Digital Presence

Beyond the Scroll

In today's world, your digital footprint is often your first impression. Whether you are looking for a summer job in Mississauga or applying to a college program in Toronto, a professional and positive social media profile can open doors.

In this assignment, you will become a content strategist. You aren't just "posting"; you are planning how to adapt a single idea into three different lengths and styles to reach a specific audience.

Your Strategic Workflow

Step 1: Define Your Professional Identity

Before you plan your content, think about where you are headed. If you aren't sure of a specific job yet, think about the vibe of your future career.

  • The Big Three Topics: You need to plan content for:
    1. A Professional Skill: Something you’re good at that relates to your field (e.g., "Active Listening" for a consultant or "Precision" for an animator).
    2. A Philosophical Question: A big-picture thought that shows how you think (e.g., "Does a tool make the builder, or does the builder make the tool?").
    3. A Personal Passion: Something that makes you you (e.g., your love for vintage cameras or hiking the Bruce Trail).

Step 2: Choose Your Platforms

Select one platform from each category and research their "conventions" (the unwritten rules of how people post there).

  • Long-form: (e.g., YouTube, LinkedIn, or a personal Blog). These are for deep dives and detail.
  • Medium-form: (e.g., Instagram or Facebook). These balance visuals with a clear message.
  • Short-form: (e.g., TikTok or X). These need to be punchy, fast, and high-energy.

Step 3: Create the Blueprint

Instead of jumping straight to filming, you will create a Bullet-Point Content Plan. Using a Google Doc, outline how you will change your three topics for each of your three platforms.

  • Adaptation: How do you turn a 700-word LinkedIn article into a 15-second TikTok?
  • Production Notes: What non-verbal cues or Canva transitions will you use to make the short version feel as professional as the long one?
  • Visual Strategy: Use Canva’s Whiteboard or Document tools if you want to storyboard your ideas visually before writing them out!

Submission Checklist

Please upload the following to our Google Classroom:

  1. The Content Plan: A Google Doc with your outline for 3 topics across 3 different content lengths (9 total "mini-plans").
  2. The Convention List: A brief list of the rules/conventions for the three platforms you chose.

Planning is where the magic happens. By thinking through your message now, you'll be much more confident when the camera starts rolling!

Assessment

Pre-Submission

Before you submit, please complete the Pre-Submission Self-Assessment.

What to Turn In

  • πŸ“€
    Pre-Submission Self-Assessment Google Doc
  • πŸ“€

    Google Doc with Content Plan (3 topics adapted across 3 content lengths)

  • πŸ“€

    A brief list of posting conventions for your 3 chosen platforms

Learning Goals

We are learning to:

  • 🎯

    Adapt core ideas and messages for different target lengths, platforms, and complexity levels

  • 🎯

    Identify and apply specific media conventions to create tailored content for diverse audiences

  • 🎯

    Reflect on past self-assessments to improve preparation and the quality of planned video content

Success Criteria

I can:

  • βœ…

    I can produce engaging media plans by selecting information and using conventions that specifically appeal to my chosen audience and purpose

    Expectations Covered: MS3
  • βœ…

    I can identify the essential elements and script writing strategies needed for each level of content complexity (Short, Medium, Long)

    Expectations Covered: MS3, W1
  • βœ…

    I can communicate my plan in a clear, coherent manner that demonstrates a professional thought process for my future career area

    Expectations Covered: OC2

Rubric

Category Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1
Knowledge/Understanding Plan demonstrates a thorough and nuanced understanding of social media conventions across all selected platforms Plan demonstrates a clear and appropriate understanding of social media conventions across selected platforms Plan demonstrates a general understanding of social media conventions, though some may be misapplied Plan demonstrates a limited or basic understanding of social media conventions
Thinking/Inquiring Plan features exceptionally insightful modifications for each level of complexity (Short, Medium, Long) Plan features reasonable and effective modifications for each level of complexity Plan features several reasonable modifications, though some lack depth or variety Plan features a few basic modifications with limited variation between complexity levels
Application Student masterfully applies research on career-related skills and philosophical questions to create a professional digital identity Student effectively applies research on career-related skills and philosophical questions to create a professional digital identity Student applies some research on career-related skills to their plan, with basic connections to their digital identity Student applies limited research to their plan, resulting in a vague digital identity
Communication The bullet-point outline is exceptionally clear, organized, and uses professional terminology to describe production techniques The bullet-point outline is clear, organized, and uses appropriate terminology to describe production techniques The bullet-point outline is generally clear and organized, with some use of appropriate terminology The bullet-point outline is occasionally clear but lacks organization or technical detail
Knowledge/Understanding
Level 4

Plan demonstrates a thorough and nuanced understanding of social media conventions across all selected platforms

Level 3

Plan demonstrates a clear and appropriate understanding of social media conventions across selected platforms

Level 2

Plan demonstrates a general understanding of social media conventions, though some may be misapplied

Level 1

Plan demonstrates a limited or basic understanding of social media conventions

Thinking/Inquiring
Level 4

Plan features exceptionally insightful modifications for each level of complexity (Short, Medium, Long)

Level 3

Plan features reasonable and effective modifications for each level of complexity

Level 2

Plan features several reasonable modifications, though some lack depth or variety

Level 1

Plan features a few basic modifications with limited variation between complexity levels

Application
Level 4

Student masterfully applies research on career-related skills and philosophical questions to create a professional digital identity

Level 3

Student effectively applies research on career-related skills and philosophical questions to create a professional digital identity

Level 2

Student applies some research on career-related skills to their plan, with basic connections to their digital identity

Level 1

Student applies limited research to their plan, resulting in a vague digital identity

Communication
Level 4

The bullet-point outline is exceptionally clear, organized, and uses professional terminology to describe production techniques

Level 3

The bullet-point outline is clear, organized, and uses appropriate terminology to describe production techniques

Level 2

The bullet-point outline is generally clear and organized, with some use of appropriate terminology

Level 1

The bullet-point outline is occasionally clear but lacks organization or technical detail