From Scratch to Solidarity: Launching Your Local's Social Media

• A laptop, tablet, or phone with a current browser. A laptop is easier for typing; a phone is enough to follow along.
• A digital copy of your local logo if you have one (PNG, JPG, or SVG). If you do not, Logo Builder makes a starter during the identity step.
• A rough idea of your local's colours, from letterhead, a banner, or a printed notice. Exact colour codes are optional.
• Your local number, if it appears on your materials.
• Optional: one real announcement or quote you might post this week, so the practice is a real post, not a placeholder.

1. 1. High-level social media strategy

   12 min

   Do this

   Listen for three essentials: platforms you can sustain, a shared account that is not a personal account, and a posting rhythm that will not burn out the executive. Comms getting started is the written plan you leave with.

   Facilitator

   Open Comms getting started, then The Blueprint. Do not start inside a maker yet. Ask who holds the passwords today.

2. 2. Creating your identity

   8 min

   Do this

   Open Logo Builder. Set your local number and colours if needed, generate a circular logo, and download the PNG. This is the file you take home.

   Facilitator

   If your local Brand Kit has not been set up, import the demo Brand Kit first. Share Logo Builder for the identity exercise, then show where the PNG download lands.

3. 3. Finding inspiration

   8 min

   Do this

   Open Social Examples. Browse strike, AGM, and member-spotlight layouts so you are not staring at a blank screen. Tap one example to seed Graphic Maker when the next block starts.

   Facilitator

   This is the example gallery. Do not open Board Notice Maker unless someone asks about cork boards; point to the Union Boards guide instead.

4. 4. Generating media content

   12 min

   Do this

   Open Graphic Maker, pick a preset, and download a PNG. Then make a Quote Card. Graphic Maker is Facebook landscape and Instagram square; Image Resizer is how you hit other crops.

   Facilitator

   Pause on the photo consent dialog. Do not demo Pulse Poll publish. If a download fails, show a PNG you saved before the session. Skip Captions unless minutes remain.

5. 5. Leave with a plan

   5 min

   Do this

   You should have a logo PNG, one graphic, a quote card, and a Website Template ZIP. Open Comms getting started for the written plan. The practice checklist on Comms Resources is homework, not extra talking time.

   Facilitator

   Thank people. Show the ZIP download succeeding. Point to Comms Resources and stop on time. Skip GitHub Pages unless someone asks.

1. Bookmark Brand Kit in this browser so your colours are still here when you come back. If you share the computer, download the Brand Kit file from Brand Kit and keep it with your local records.
2. Keep the Logo Builder PNG with your local records, and use it on the Facebook cover only after whoever must approve identity has said yes.
3. Open Comms getting started and attempt your first real post using the graphic and quote card you made today.
4. Open Website Template and download the ZIP when you want a simple local page you can host later.
5. When you have a quiet half hour, work through the practice checklist on Comms Resources.

Facilitator

Thank people. Remind them public Comms stay on the device. If something broke, the Feedback page on this site takes a note without a member mailing list.