Social Media Toolkit for Social Work Month 2023

Social Work Breaks Barriers! That's the theme for Social Work Month this March and we're hoping social workers will take this theme to heart as we bring awareness to the awesome, life-changing work that social workers do by sharing your stories across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Our hashtags this year: #SWMonth2023 #SocialWorkBreaksBarriers

Go Big!

Did you know late nights and weekends are typically the best time to get eyes on social work content? Probably because many social workers are working during the daytime. So don't be shy about posting and sharing updates all day long.

Ideally, you should aim to post at least once or twice daily on Facebook, IG, and three to four times on Twitter. Focus on lunchtime, after work and on Saturdays and Sundays on Facebook. Also, try to post on TikTok at least once or twice a week. Make sure you’re looking directly into the camera. Videos people enjoy the most on our page have been the ones where social workers are talking or engaging with the audience and use more "trendy" topics and music.

Want extra visibility?

Use videos, GIFs, images and graphics you can create with Canva or another image making service, like Adobe Spark videos, and other materials to get your messages to stand out.

Use the hashtags #SWMonth2023 #SocialWorkBreaksBarriers #SocialWorkMonth and #NASW so others can join the conversation.

Also be sure to include @nasw on Twitter, tag @naswsocialworkers on Facebook, and tag @naswsocialworkers on Instagram and @naswsocialwokers1 on TikTok

Remember to tag influencers, your friends and colleagues, too!

Attending a Social Work Month event virtually or taking precautions to go in person? Post photos and videos to Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Remember to use the hashtags! (You can use more than one if it fits).

Share photos of you sporting Social Work Month gear.

Use our Social Work Month logos.

TikTok

Have fun with TikToks, showcase yourselves at in-person events or create your own short videos (we find 15-30 seconds work best, remember the average person’s online attention span is about 8 seconds).

Shy about being on camera? Film natural landscapes (go outdoors, visit parks, seashores, or even your backyard) and record video in 30 seconds to one-minute increments. You can superimpose captions or create a voiceover on them later. Be sure to use trending sounds and music, while keeping it professional. Or gain momentum by jumping on a challenge trend.

Trying to build your audience? Know who you are making content for and make it relatable — not just for yourself, but for your audience, too.

Remember to share your TikToks on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and other networks like LinkedIn. You can connect your Instagram account to your Facebook so when you share to IG it automatically shares to your Facebook page. If they are not connected, you can download the video. Then upload it to those sites and to YouTube as a short. Just put the hashtag #shorts in the description.

Facebook and Twitter

Just like with TikTok, you can duplicate some of your activities on Facebook, Twitter and other platforms. And remember to add appropriate photos or GIFS to your posts for maximum exposure.

Don't forget the hashtags: #SWMonth2023 #SocialWorkBreaksBarriers #SocialWorkMonth #NASW

Sample Facebook and Twitter posts

You can modify these messages and add appropriate images to use on different platforms. Follow #nasw for more as the month progresses:

The pandemic has shown the world something we've known all along - #SWMonth2023 #SocialWorkBreaksBarriers #SocialWorkMonth #NASW

March is #SocialWorkMonth Happy Social Work Month #Socialworkers! #SWMonth2023 #SocialWorkBreaksBarriers #SocialWorkMonth #NASW

Happy #SocialWorkMonth to all my fellow social workers! #SWMonth2023 #SocialWorkBreaksBarriers #SocialWorkMonth #NASW

#Socialworkers, helping their clients one day at a time #SWMonth2023 #SocialWorkBreaksBarriers #SocialWorkMonth #NASW

A day in the life of a social worker #SWMonth2023 #SocialWorkBreaksBarriers #SocialWorkMonth #NASW

#SocialWork is my SUPERPOWER! #SWMonth2023 #SocialWorkBreaksBarriers #SocialWorkMonth #NASW

I became a social worker because a social worker helped me find my voice. I want to do the same. #SWMonth2023 #SocialWorkBreaksBarriers #SocialWorkMonth #NASW

Why did you become a social worker? #SWMonth2023 #SocialWorkBreaksBarriers #SocialWorkMonth #NASW

Instagram

Share a photo of yourself at work, engaged in advocacy, at a unit meeting, showcasing #NASW #SocialWork promotional gear. Get permission from others before taking and sharing photos containing their likeness. Share why you love your profession.

Remember, in addition to adding hashtags, tag people! You can tag up to three people on Instagram.

Sample Instagram Posts

I believing in Breaking Barriers! That’s why I became a social worker. Here’s how I break barriers (add description, share a photo). #SWMonth2023 #SocialWorkBreaksBarriers #SocialWorkMonth #NASW

Did you know that by 2031 the profession is expected to grow to 772,000 in the US? I'm one of them. #socialworkproud #SWMonth2023 #SocialWorkBreaksBarriers #SocialWorkMonth #NASW

LinkedIn

Because LinkedIn is a more professional platform, you'll want to craft your messages appropriately. Network with other social workers. Share research, facts, and stories and your opinion about the profession. Highlight important issues that impact your work.

Sample LinkedIn posts

Since the first #socialwork class was offered in 1898 at Columbia University, #socialworkers have led the way developing private and charitable organizations to serve people in need. Social workers continue to address the needs of society and bring our nation's social problems to the public's attention. [Link to: Social Work History https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Facts/Social-Work-History]

#SWMonth2023 #SocialWorkBreaksBarriers #SocialWorkMonth #NASW

Think of salary negotiation as an opportunity to show your new employer that you're talented and savvy. [Link to: Learn about Negotiating a Higher Salary https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=4D-0gODTZtc%3d&portalid=0]

One benefit of a #socialwork degree is that the job possibilities are endless. Sometimes it pays to think outside the box! [Link to: Maximizing the flexibility of a social work degree https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=bu_wWcZS8uw%3d&portalid=0] #SWMonth2023 #SocialWorkBreaksBarriers #SocialWorkMonth #NASW

You can also:

• Post videos; share articles and share the purpose of Social Work Month or the history of the profession
• Use hashtags related to your post, including #SWMonth2023 #SocialWorkBreaksBarriers #SocialWorkMonth #NASW so others can join the conversation.
• Connect with thought leaders by tagging them as well as your followers and fans.
• Tag NASW as well as your colleagues and friends.

Important!

Remember to only share images that you have permission to post on social media. And please make sure you add useful alternative text to images to make them accessible to people with disabilities.