Social Media Sandbox Workout¶
Before You Start¶
Practice Sandbox
| Username | Password | Role |
|---|---|---|
social1 |
social1 |
Social Media User |
manager1 |
manager1 |
Manager (Approver) |
This is a safe practice environment. Nothing you do here affects real data.
The sandbox resets periodically from a fresh copy, so do not worry about "breaking" anything. The Social Media module is pre-installed and ready to use.
Sandbox Limitations
- Social media accounts in the sandbox are not connected to real platforms — posts will not actually publish
- AI content generation may not be available if the API key is not configured in the sandbox
- Email notifications will not send in the sandbox
- Analytics data may be limited or simulated
Prerequisite
Review the Social Media Management Guide before starting. These exercises assume you understand the module's features.
Scott Recycling Brand Voice Guidelines¶
Before creating any content, understand the Scott Recycling brand voice. Every post should reflect these principles:
Tone¶
| Attribute | What It Means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Professional | We are a trusted business partner, not a casual blog. Use correct grammar, avoid slang. | "Our team processed over 500 laptops this week" — not "We crushed it lol" |
| Environmental | We care about the planet. Emphasize sustainability, responsible recycling, keeping hazardous materials out of landfills. | "Every device we recycle is one less piece of e-waste in our landfills" |
| Community-Focused | We serve our local communities across 10 states. Highlight local impact, team members, community partnerships. | "Proud to serve businesses across Tennessee and beyond" |
| Knowledgeable | We are experts in e-waste recycling and data destruction. Share facts and educate the audience. | "Did you know? Circuit boards contain gold, silver, and palladium that can be recovered through responsible recycling" |
| Approachable | We are friendly and easy to work with. Use an inviting tone without being overly casual. | "Have old electronics taking up space? We'll pick them up — free of charge" |
What to Avoid¶
| Do NOT | Why |
|---|---|
| Use scare tactics about data breaches | We educate, not frighten |
| Make unverifiable claims | "We are the best in the state" — unless you can prove it |
| Use excessive emojis | One or two is fine; a wall of emojis looks unprofessional |
| Post without proofreading | Typos damage credibility |
| Use competitor names | Focus on our strengths, not others' weaknesses |
| Post controversial or political content | We are a business, not a political platform |
Recommended Hashtags¶
Use a mix of branded and industry hashtags. Here are the standard ones:
Branded:
#ScottRecycling#ScottRecyclingTN
Industry:
#EWasteRecycling#DataDestruction#RecycleElectronics#ResponsibleRecycling#ElectronicRecycling
Environmental:
#Sustainability#GoGreen#CircularEconomy#ZeroWaste#ReduceReuseRecycle
Community:
#KnoxvilleBusiness#TennesseeBusiness#SupportLocal
Hashtag Strategy
Use 5-10 hashtags per post. Always include #ScottRecycling and at least one industry hashtag. Vary the others based on content. Too many hashtags look spammy; too few limit discoverability.
Platform-Specific Best Practices¶
Different platforms require different approaches. Tailor your content to each one.
Facebook¶
| Aspect | Best Practice |
|---|---|
| Best for | Community engagement, local reach, event promotion, customer stories |
| Post length | 1-3 short paragraphs. Longer than Twitter/X, shorter than a blog post. |
| Visuals | Photos of the team, the facility, before/after recycling projects. Video performs well. |
| Tone | Warm, community-focused. "We're proud to partner with local businesses..." |
| Posting frequency | 3-5 times per week |
| Best times | Weekdays 9 AM - 1 PM local time |
| Content types | Behind-the-scenes, customer testimonials, recycling tips, community involvement, team spotlights |
LinkedIn¶
| Aspect | Best Practice |
|---|---|
| Best for | B2B outreach, enterprise customers, IT decision-makers, industry thought leadership |
| Post length | Professional tone, can be longer (2-4 paragraphs). Data and statistics resonate. |
| Visuals | Professional photos, infographics, data visualizations |
| Tone | Business professional. "Organizations are increasingly prioritizing responsible e-waste disposal..." |
| Posting frequency | 2-3 times per week |
| Best times | Tuesday - Thursday, 8 AM - 10 AM |
| Content types | Industry insights, data destruction compliance, case studies, certifications, sustainability reports, job postings |
Instagram¶
| Aspect | Best Practice |
|---|---|
| Best for | Visual storytelling, behind-the-scenes, showing the human side of recycling |
| Post length | Short caption (1-2 sentences) with hashtags. Let the image do the talking. |
| Visuals | High-quality photos are REQUIRED. Show the process, the people, the impact. |
| Tone | Visual and inspiring. "From old electronics to new possibilities." |
| Posting frequency | 3-5 times per week (feed posts), daily (stories) |
| Best times | Weekdays 11 AM - 1 PM |
| Content types | Process photos, transformation shots, team photos, recycling facts as graphics, short videos/reels |
X (Twitter)¶
| Aspect | Best Practice |
|---|---|
| Best for | Quick updates, industry news, engaging with other organizations |
| Post length | Short and punchy. 1-2 sentences max. |
| Visuals | Optional but helpful. A photo or link preview increases engagement. |
| Tone | Concise and informative. "Over 50M tons of e-waste generated globally each year. We're doing our part." |
| Posting frequency | 3-5 times per week |
| Content types | Quick facts, article shares, event announcements, industry commentary |
Training Path Overview¶
Complete these exercises in order. Each one builds on the previous. Plan for about 2.5 hours total.
| # | Exercise | What You'll Practice | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explore the Social Media Dashboard | Navigation, accounts, connection status | 10 min |
| 2 | Create a Post Manually | Write content, hashtags, select accounts, attach image, submit | 20 min |
| 3 | Generate AI Content | Select template, choose location, generate, review, submit | 20 min |
| 4 | Work the Approval Queue | Review pending posts, approve or reject with feedback | 15 min |
| 5 | Review Analytics | Engagement metrics, platform comparison, best content | 15 min |
| 6 | Content Calendar Planning | Plan a week of content across platforms | 20 min |
| 7 | Analytics Interpretation | Read metrics and make content decisions | 15 min |
Exercise 1: Explore the Social Media Dashboard (10 min)¶
Goal: Navigate the Social Media module's main sections and understand the layout before creating any content.
Steps¶
- Log in at the sandbox URL as
social1/social1 - From the main Odoo dashboard, find and click the Social Media app icon
- Explore the top menu structure:
| Menu | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Approval Queue | Posts waiting for review and approval |
| Inbox | Messages and comments from all connected platforms |
| All Posts | Complete list of all posts across all statuses |
| Analytics | Performance dashboards |
| Calendar | Visual calendar of scheduled and published posts |
| Media Library | Uploaded images, videos, and media assets |
| Configuration | Accounts, locations, templates, and settings |
- Click through each menu item to see what is there
- Go to Configuration --> Accounts and view the connected social media accounts:
- Note which platforms are listed (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, etc.)
- Check the Connection Status column — are accounts Connected, Disconnected, or Expired?
- Note the Followers count for each account
- Go to Configuration --> Locations and see the business locations configured for content generation
Think About¶
- Why do we manage social media from within Odoo instead of using each platform separately?
- What advantage does having all accounts in one place give the marketing team?
- What would happen if an account shows "Expired" status?
Checkpoint¶
- Can you find the Social Media app from the main dashboard?
- Do you know where Approval Queue, Inbox, All Posts, Analytics, Calendar, and Configuration live?
- Can you view the connected social media accounts and their status?
- Did you check the business locations in Configuration?
Exercise 2: Create a Post Manually (20 min)¶
Goal: Write a social media post from scratch, add hashtags, select target accounts, attach an image, and submit it for approval.
Steps¶
- Go to Social Media --> All Posts
- Click New to create a new post
- Fill in the post content:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Content | "Did you know? Over 50 million tons of e-waste are generated globally every year. At Scott Recycling, we make sure your old electronics are recycled responsibly — keeping hazardous materials out of landfills and recovering valuable resources. Drop off your e-waste or schedule a pickup today!" |
| Hashtags | #EWasteRecycling #ScottRecycling #SustainableBusiness #RecycleElectronics #GoGreen |
| Category | Educational |
- Select the Accounts to post to — choose at least two platforms (e.g., Facebook and LinkedIn)
- If the form has a media upload area, attach an image (any image will do for practice)
- Review your post:
- Is the content appropriate for all selected platforms?
- Are the hashtags relevant and not excessive?
- Is the media attached correctly?
- Click Submit for Approval
- The post status should change to Pending Approval
Create a Second Post¶
Create another post with different content and a different category:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Content | "Behind the scenes at our processing facility! Our team processed over 500 laptops this week, giving them new life instead of sending them to a landfill. Every device we refurbish is one less piece of e-waste in our environment." |
| Hashtags | #BehindTheScenes #ScottRecycling #Refurbished #EWaste #TeamWork |
| Category | Behind the Scenes |
| Accounts | (select Instagram and Facebook) |
Submit this post for approval as well.
Think About¶
- Why do we submit posts for approval instead of publishing directly?
- How would you adjust the content if you were posting to LinkedIn vs. Instagram?
- What makes a good hashtag strategy?
Checkpoint¶
- Did you create two posts with different content and categories?
- Did you add relevant hashtags to each post?
- Did you select at least two social accounts for each post?
- Did you submit both posts for approval?
- Are both posts now showing as "Pending Approval"?
Exercise 3: Generate AI Content (20 min)¶
Goal: Use the AI content generation feature to create a post draft, review and edit the output, and submit it for approval.
Steps¶
- Go to Social Media --> All Posts
- Click New to create a new post
- Look for the Generate with AI button and click it
- The AI generation wizard opens. Fill in:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Template | (select any available prompt template from the Social category) |
| Location | (select a business location, e.g., "Scott Recycling - Knoxville") |
| Variables | Fill in any template variables that appear (topic, tone, platform, etc.) |
- Click Generate
- The AI produces draft content — review the preview:
- Is the content accurate?
- Does it match the Scott Recycling brand voice (professional, environmental, community-focused)?
- Are there any claims or statistics that need verification?
- Is the tone appropriate for the selected platforms?
- If you like the content, click Use This Content to insert it into the post editor
- If you want a different version, click Regenerate to get a new draft
- Once the content is in the editor, edit it to personalize:
- Add specific details relevant to Scott Recycling
- Adjust the tone if needed
- Fix any awkward phrasing
- Add or modify hashtags
- Select the Accounts to post to
- Choose a Category for the post
- Click Submit for Approval
If AI Generation Is Not Available¶
If the sandbox does not have the AI API configured, simulate the process:
- Create a new post manually
- Write content inspired by what an AI might generate for a recycling company
- Practice the editing workflow — write a draft, then refine it as if you were editing AI output
- Submit for approval
Think About¶
- Why should AI-generated content be treated as a starting point, not a final draft?
- What kinds of errors might AI content contain that need human review?
- How does selecting a location affect the generated content?
Checkpoint¶
- Did you open the AI generation wizard (or simulate the process)?
- Did you select a template and location?
- Did you review and edit the generated content before submitting?
- Did you submit the post for approval?
- Do you understand why human review of AI content is important?
Exercise 4: Work the Approval Queue (15 min)¶
Goal: Review pending posts from the approval queue, approve good posts, and reject posts that need changes with constructive feedback.
Steps¶
- Log out and log back in as
manager1/manager1(the manager has approval permissions) - Go to Social Media --> Approval Queue
- You should see the posts you submitted in Exercises 2 and 3 (and possibly posts from other sandbox users)
- Open the first pending post and review it:
Review Checklist:
| Check | Question |
|---|---|
| Content quality | Is the text well-written, clear, and free of errors? |
| Brand voice | Does it sound like Scott Recycling? Professional, environmental, community-focused? |
| Accuracy | Are any claims, statistics, or statements accurate? |
| Hashtags | Are they relevant and not excessive (5-10 is a good range)? |
| Media | Is an image or video attached? Is it appropriate? |
| Platform fit | Is the content suitable for the selected platforms? (e.g., is it too long for X? Does it have a visual for Instagram?) |
| Compliance | Does the content follow company guidelines? |
- If the post passes review, click Approve
- The post status changes to Approved and is ready to be scheduled or published
Rejecting a Post¶
- Open another pending post
- Decide that it needs changes (for practice purposes)
- Click Reject
- In the chatter, post feedback explaining what needs to change:
- "The statistics cited need a source. Please add 'according to [source]' or remove the specific number."
- "The tone is too casual for LinkedIn. Please revise for a more professional audience."
- "Missing an image — posts with visuals get significantly more engagement. Please add one."
- The post status changes to Rejected and returns to the author for revision
Think About¶
- What are the most common reasons to reject a post?
- How do you give constructive feedback that helps the author improve?
- Why is an approval workflow important for brand consistency?
Checkpoint¶
- Did you review posts in the Approval Queue as the manager?
- Did you approve at least one post?
- Did you reject at least one post with specific feedback?
- Do you understand the review checklist?
Exercise 5: Review Analytics (15 min)¶
Goal: Navigate the analytics dashboard, compare platform performance, and identify what types of content perform best.
Steps¶
- Stay logged in as
manager1(or log back in associal1) - Go to Social Media --> Analytics
- Explore the analytics dashboard:
- Set the date range to the last 30 days (or whatever range has data)
- Look at the summary cards at the top:
- Total followers
- Total impressions
- Total reach
- Total engagements
- Overall engagement rate
Platform Comparison¶
- Scroll down to see the platform-by-platform breakdown
- For each platform, note:
- Follower count
- Impressions and reach
- Engagement rate
- Post count
- Compare the platforms:
- Which platform has the most followers?
- Which has the highest engagement rate?
- Which platform has the most posts published?
Content Performance¶
- Go to Social Media --> All Posts
- Switch to a view that shows engagement data (if available)
- Look for posts with the highest engagement:
- How many likes, comments, and shares did the top posts get?
- What content category do the top posts fall into?
- Which platform performed best for each post?
- Try using filters:
- Filter by Category — do Educational posts outperform Promotional posts?
- Filter by Account/Platform — which platform drives the most engagement?
Check the Calendar¶
- Go to Social Media --> Calendar
- View the content calendar in Month view
- Look at how posts are distributed across the month:
- Are there days with too many posts clustered together?
- Are there gaps with no content scheduled?
- Switch to Week view for a more detailed look
- Note how posts are color-coded by status (draft, scheduled, published)
Checkpoint¶
- Did you view the analytics dashboard with summary metrics?
- Did you compare performance across platforms?
- Did you identify top-performing content?
- Did you check the content calendar for post distribution?
- Can you articulate which platform and content type perform best?
Exercise 6: Content Calendar Planning (20 min)¶
Goal: Plan a full week of social media content for Scott Recycling, choosing the right content types, platforms, and posting schedule.
Steps¶
- Using a piece of paper, a spreadsheet, or the sandbox Calendar view, plan one week of social media content (Monday through Friday)
- For each day, plan at least one post across your platforms
Content Calendar Template¶
Fill in this table with your planned content:
| Day | Platform(s) | Category | Topic / Content Idea | Hashtags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Facebook, LinkedIn | Educational | E-waste fact: how much e-waste is generated annually | #EWasteRecycling #ScottRecycling #Sustainability |
| Tuesday | Instagram, Facebook | Behind the Scenes | Photo of the team processing laptops | #ScottRecycling #BehindTheScenes #TeamWork |
| Wednesday | Industry / B2B | Data destruction compliance for businesses | #DataDestruction #ScottRecycling #Compliance | |
| Thursday | Facebook, Instagram | Community | Customer spotlight or community partnership | #ScottRecycling #KnoxvilleBusiness #SupportLocal |
| Friday | All platforms | Promotional | "Schedule a free pickup" call-to-action | #ScottRecycling #RecycleElectronics #FreePickup |
Guidelines for Your Calendar¶
- Variety — mix content categories (Educational, Behind the Scenes, Promotional, Community, Industry)
- Platform fit — LinkedIn gets professional/B2B content; Instagram needs strong visuals; Facebook gets community content
- Frequency — aim for 3-5 posts per week total across all platforms
- No back-to-back promotions — do not post promotional content two days in a row
- Include a CTA — at least 2 posts per week should include a call-to-action (schedule a pickup, visit the website, call us)
Think About¶
- Is there a good balance between educational and promotional content?
- Are you posting to the right platforms for each content type?
- Would a follower get tired of seeing the same type of content every day?
Checkpoint¶
- Did you plan at least 5 posts across the week?
- Does your calendar include at least 3 different content categories?
- Did you match content types to appropriate platforms?
- Did you include at least 2 posts with a call-to-action?
- Is there no back-to-back promotional content?
Exercise 7: Analytics Interpretation (15 min)¶
Goal: Practice reading analytics data and making content decisions based on what the numbers tell you.
Scenario¶
You are reviewing last month's social media performance. Here is the data:
| Platform | Posts | Impressions | Reach | Engagements | Engagement Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 12,400 | 8,200 | 620 | 5.0% | |
| 10 | 4,800 | 3,100 | 185 | 3.9% | |
| 14 | 9,600 | 6,800 | 890 | 9.3% | |
| X (Twitter) | 8 | 2,100 | 1,400 | 45 | 2.1% |
Top 5 Posts by Engagement:
| Rank | Platform | Category | Topic | Engagements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Behind the Scenes | Team sorting e-waste (video) | 210 | |
| 2 | Community | Local school recycling drive | 145 | |
| 3 | Educational | Infographic: "Where does your e-waste go?" | 130 | |
| 4 | Behind the Scenes | New truck delivery photo | 95 | |
| 5 | Industry | Data destruction certification announcement | 65 |
Questions to Answer¶
Based on the data above, write down your answers:
- Which platform has the highest engagement rate? What does this tell you about where to focus visual content?
- Which platform has the lowest engagement rate? Should you stop posting there, or change your strategy? What would you try differently?
- What content categories appear in the top 5? What does this tell you about what your audience wants to see?
- Instagram has the highest engagement rate but fewer posts than Facebook. Should you post more on Instagram? What are the trade-offs?
- The top-performing post is a video. What does this suggest about your content format strategy?
- Based on this data, plan next month's content focus. Which platforms get more content? Which categories do you prioritize?
Suggested Analysis
- Instagram (9.3%) — visual content resonates. Invest in high-quality photos and short videos.
- X/Twitter (2.1%) — do not abandon it, but do not over-invest. Try more visual content and shorter, punchier copy. Consider using it mainly for industry news sharing.
- Behind the Scenes and Community content dominate the top 5. Educational content also performs well. Promotional content did not make the top 5 — keep promotional posts to 20-30% of total content.
- Yes, increase Instagram posting to 4-5/week. The trade-off is that Instagram requires high-quality visuals, which take more time to produce.
- Video outperforms static images. Try to include at least 1-2 video posts per week, even short ones (15-30 seconds).
- Next month: increase Instagram and Facebook, maintain LinkedIn for B2B, reduce X. Focus on Behind the Scenes and Community content. Add more video. Keep promotional content to Fridays only.
Checkpoint¶
- Did you answer all 6 questions?
- Can you identify which platform and content type perform best?
- Did you make a recommendation for next month's focus?
- Do you understand the difference between impressions, reach, and engagement rate?
Wrap-Up Checklist¶
By completing this workout, you should be comfortable with:
- Navigating the Social Media module — finding accounts, posts, analytics, and configuration
- Creating posts manually with content, hashtags, media, and target accounts
- Using AI content generation to create draft posts and editing them before submission
- Working the approval queue — reviewing, approving, and rejecting posts with feedback
- Reading analytics to compare platform performance and identify top content
- Planning a content calendar with variety, platform fit, and strategic posting schedule
- Interpreting analytics data to make informed content decisions
- Applying the Scott Recycling brand voice consistently across platforms
What's Next?¶
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Social Media Management Guide | Complete reference for all Social Media module features |
| AI & Automation Overview | Overview of all AI-powered features |
Need Help?¶
Contact your supervisor or the marketing team lead if you have questions about content strategy, brand guidelines, or approval workflows. For system issues, submit a helpdesk ticket or reach out to the IT team.