INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY

Introduction to Social Media Strategy allows members to develop and present a marketing strategy centered around a single social media platform. Members demonstrate their understanding of audience engagement, content creation, and campaign effectiveness through a live presentation.

Event Overview

Division: High School (9th or 10th grade only)
Event Type: Team of 1, 2 or 3 members
Event Category: Presentation
Event Elements: Presentation with a Topic
Presentation Time: 3-minute set-up, 7-minute presentation time, 3-minute question & answer time
Career Cluster Framework Connection: Financial Services
NACE Competency Alignment: Career & Self-Development, Critical Thinking

Items Competitor Must Provide: Sharpened pencil, Photo Identification, Conference-provided nametag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code, Technology and presentation items for preliminary round, Technology and presentation items (including any adapter or cord needed beyond an HDMI connection) for the final round.

Items Provided by FBLA: Internet access and table for preliminary round presentation; Internet access, table, power, projector with HDMI cord & screen for final round presentations

2025-2026 Topic

Uplift Online: Promoting Mental Wellness Through Social Media

Design a positive and informative social media campaign that helps teens take care of their mental well-being. Choose one social media platform and create a series of posts that:

· Share simple, everyday tips for maintaining emotional wellness

· Encourage healthy habits like sleep, connection, mindfulness, and balance

· Promote school or community resources (e.g., counseling, hotlines, wellness apps)

· Spread supportive messages to reduce stigma and help others feel seen and understood

Your campaign should focus on hope, resilience, and action. Use your creativity to educate, uplift, and inspire others in a way that’s safe, inclusive, and respectful. Avoid sharing content about specific mental health conditions or crises unless promoting verified support resources in a factual and age-appropriate way.

Do not create live accounts without permission from the non-profit organization.

District

Check with your District leadership for District-specific competition information.

State

Eligibility

·         FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by District Director) of the current program year.
·         Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top ten of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top ten of an event at NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
·         Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the national conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
·         Members must stay within the official FBLA housing block of the official FBLA hotel in order to compete.
·         Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
·         Each member can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report).
·         Identification: Competitors must present valid photo identification (physical) that matches the name on their conference name badge. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, or school ID.
·         Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
·         Only competitors are allowed to plan, research, prepare, and set up their presentations.
·         Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
·         All members of a team must consist of individuals from the same chapter.
·         If competitors are late for a presentation time, they may be disqualified or placed later in the schedule.  The decision is solely up to the judges.
·         Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.

Recognition

·         The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 5.

Event Administration

·         This event has two phases: preliminary presentation and final presentation

·         Preliminary Presentation Information

o   Equipment Set-up Time: 3 minutes
o   Presentation Time: 7 minutes (one-minute warning)
o   Question & Answer Time: 3 minutes
o   Important: Time allocations are exclusive. The presentation must begin immediately after the 3-minute set-up time concludes. Time may not be shifted between segments. Competitors will not interact with judges during the set-up period.
o   Internet Access: Provided (Internet access may not be Wi-Fi, so competitors should plan appropriately when selecting devices on which to present. Please note that internet reliability at any conference venue cannot be guaranteed. Always have a backup plan in case internet connections go down.)
o   The presentation is judged at the SLC. Preliminary presentations may be open to conference attendees.
o   Competitors/teams are randomly assigned to sections.
o   Technology

· Presentations must be delivered using one or two personal devices (laptop, tablet, mobile phone, or monitor approximately laptop-sized).

· If using two devices, one must face the judges and the other must face the presenters.

· Projectors and projector screens are not permitted, and competitors may not bring their own.

· Wireless slide advancers (e.g., presentation clickers or mice) are allowed.

· External speakers are not allowed; audio must come directly from the presenting device(s).

· Electricity will not be available.

o   Visual aids, samples, notes, and other physical materials related to the project may be used.
o   Items may be placed on the provided table or on the judges table, if space allows.
o   No items may be left with the judges following the presentation.
o   If performing as a team, all team members are expected to actively participate in the presentation.
o   Restricted Items: Animals (except authorized service animals), Food (for display only; may not be consumed by judges), Links and QR codes (for display only; cannot be clicked or scanned by judges at any time)
o   Event Specific Information: Competitors should incorporate the following aspects in response to the topic

· Use of Industry Terminology: Demonstrate knowledge of social media by using accurate terms and concepts throughout the presentation.

· Strategy and Metrics: Explain the campaign strategy clearly, including goals, target audience, content planning, and performance metrics. Use metrics to show how success is measured and how decisions were made.

· Design and Development Process: Describe how the campaign was planned and created, including creative choices, tools used, and how the approach was adjusted to better reach the intended audience.

· Campaign and Ad Integration: Present a campaign focused on one social media platform. Include three original, well-developed ads that are clearly connected to the campaign’s message and audience.

o   Information must be supported by credible, well-documented sources.
o   Any use of copyrighted material, images, logos, or trademarks must be properly documented.

·         Final Presentation Information

o   Equipment Set-up Time: 3 minutes
o   Presentation Time: 7 minutes (one-minute warning)
o   Question & Answer Time: 3 minutes
o   Important: Time allocations are exclusive. The presentation must begin immediately after the 3-minute set-up time concludes. Time may not be shifted between segments. Competitors will not interact with judges during the set-up period.

o   Internet Access: Provided (Internet access may not be Wi-Fi, so competitors should plan appropriately when selecting devices on which to present. Please note that internet reliability at any conference venue cannot be guaranteed. Always have a backup plan in case internet connections go down.)
o   An equal number of competitors/teams from each section in the preliminary round will advance to the final round.
o   Final presentations may be open to conference attendees, space permitting. Finalists may not view other competitors’ presentation in their event.
o   The following will be provided for the final round if it occurs in a conference room: Projector, projector screen, power, and table.
o   All other guidelines from the preliminary presentation apply.

 Scoring

·         The preliminary presentation score will determine the finalists.
·         The final presentation score will determine the winners.
·         Judges must break ties. All judges’ decisions are final. Results announced at the State Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the State Leadership Conference.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for competitors. Accommodation requests must be submitted through the conference registration system by the official registration deadline. All requests will be reviewed, and additional documentation may be required to determine eligibility and appropriate support.

Recording of Presentations

·         No unauthorized audio or video recording devices will be allowed in any competitive event.
·         Competitors in the events should be aware FBLA reserves the right to record any presentation for use in study or training materials.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

National

If you are competing on the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-competitive-events/