Contributed by Rayyan Khan | Reedy High School DECA, TX
This past year has been a wild ride for us at Reedy High School in Frisco, Texas. From being recognized as the Texas DECA Chapter of the Year to managing 400+ members, Reedy DECA has allowed me to witness how a strong focus on branding and marketing has helped us grow and thrive.
As a marketing officer at our school, I had the privilege of leading the effort to design our school's marketing theme this year. One of the key lessons I've learned is that a clear and recognizable brand message is essential to gaining the trust of our members and partners. Consistency is key; everything from the T-shirt design to the Instagram posts should align with a uniform font, color scheme and overall aesthetic.
As members and chapters attempt to "Be The One" this year, they should also incorporate DECA's 2024-2025 membership theme to promote a standard message across the organization.
Social Media has been a game-changer in amplifying our chapter's reach. With around 1,000 Instagram followers, Reedy DECA aims to post consistently while staying current regarding trends on the platform. This has enabled our chapter to connect with current members, alumni and local businesses.
Chapters looking to maximize their social media impact should follow key strategies that can make all the difference.
First, aim to post on a scheduled and frequent basis.
- Chapters should keep their members updated with the chapter's whereabouts, such as upcoming meetings, community events or even funny posts, to keep members engaged. Additionally, leveraging hashtags and tagging relevant accounts can foster connections across the community and will further add to the chapter's uniformity.
Second, be flexible while utilizing social media.
- What's trending can change instantly, and ensuring that the chapter follows a trend at the right time is essential in upholding collective interest.
Finally, a chapter's social media should reflect quality.
- Create visually appealing posts that resonate with the audience. Include interactive elements such as Q&A sessions and polls to enhance engagement.
While visual consistency is essential, branding strategies go beyond aesthetics. The experiences, messaging and tone a chapter develops are equally as important. For Reedy DECA, every workshop, competition or social event must reflect the chapter's and DECA's core values of competence, innovation, integrity and teamwork. By aligning ourselves with these principles, we can ensure the brand resonates visually and emotionally with a chapter's members and community.
As chapters prepare for the 2025 competition year, they should prioritize the growth and refinement of their brand strategies. A strong and consistent brand is not just a tool but a reflection of who you are, what you value and how you connect with others.
