Social media is a great tool for colleges and universities to attract new students as well as connect and engage with the current student body. It’s also a way to facilitate intercollegiate and staff communication. In this presentation, I’ll share why all facets of student services should be using social media and how to get started today!
Topics Covered:
Making the shift to social
Popular social media channels
Why colleges should be using social media
College and university trends
Departmental ideas
An action plan for going social
1. HACC
Student Services
Workshop
Rachel Strella
Strella Social Media
www.strellasocialmedia.com
2. Today, we’ll discuss:
Making the Shift to Social
Popular Social Channels
Why Use Social Media
Top Colleges and Universities
Using Social Media
Departmental Ideas
An Action Plan for Getting Started
7. Facebook
1 billion users
Great for sharing
Consumer-based channel
Largest age segment are those
who are 21-24 followed by 18-20
Social media channel where
most amount of time is spent
8. LinkedIn
200 million users
Business-based channel
Groups and advanced search
top features
Largest age segment are those
who are 35-44 followed by 45-54
Strong opportunity to connect
with decision makers
9. Twitter
200 million active users
Real-time interaction
‘People-based’ channel
140-character limit
Largest age segment are those
who are 30-49 followed by 18-29
Power is in the retweet (RT)
Hashtag “#”used to categorize
content (ex: #FF = Follow Friday)
11. YouTube
800+ million users
Entertainment/information-
based channel
Search tool & useful for SEO
Largest age segment are those
who are 18-34 followed by 35-49
Builds credibility as a ‘personal’
form of communication
12. Google+
135 million users (69% male)
Interface similar to Facebook
Integrates with Gmail
Draw: SEO & ‘hangouts’
Largest age segment are those
who are 25-34 followed by 18-24
Users:
marketers, engineers, web
developers, and students
13. Pinterest
25+ million users (79% female)
Photograph-based
Online pinboard with
categorized interests
Largest age segment are those
who are 25-54
Useful for showcasing products
14. Instagram
100 million users
Photo-sharing app
Largest age segment are those
who are 18-34
Appeals to African
Americans, Latinos & Urban
Americans
Useful for brand
reinforcement/visual messages
15. Foursquare
30+ million users - most
connected on the web
Location-based service used for
gaming
Largest age segment are those
who are 35-44 then 25-34 & 45-54
“Check-in” to locations to win
prizes/badges
16. Cell Phones
87% of adults have a cell phone
93% of adults 18-49-years-old
85% of adults 50-64-years-old
Nearly 60% of adults have
internet on their phones
40% of that time is spent on a
social networking site
80% send/receive text messages
18. Blogs
60% of companies have a
blog
Web-log: published
information on the web
Popular for driving traffic to
websites, SEO, building
credibility and community
Niche blogs very popular
49. The Holistic Approach
Develop a Focus Group
Establish policies
Become a campus listening post
Facilitate communication among
departments/campuses
Enhance social media
awareness & engagement
Meet and report regularly
51. The Realistic Approach
Create an Action Plan for Success
Consider 1-2 Ways to Build
Awareness of Channels:
• Other Marketing Outlets
• Word-of-Mouth
• Cross Referencing
• Partnerships
52. The Realistic Approach
Create an Action Plan for Success
Determine 2-3 Short-Term
(90-Day) Goals:
• Build Audience
• Increase Web Traffic
• Generate Referrals
• Establish Credibility
• Increase Awareness
• Reach a New Audience
• Increase Engagement
53. The Realistic Approach
Create an Action Plan for Success
Brainstorm 2-3 Themes or Topics
to Engage Audience:
Ask Yourself:
• What’s New?
• What’s Interesting?
• What Value Can I Provide?
• Any Growth Opportunities?
• How Can I Educate?
• Timely Topics?
54. The Realistic Approach
Create an Action Plan for Success
Determine Needs for Executing
Plan including Challenges:
• Time
• People/Staff
• Social Media Knowledge
• Technical Knowledge
• Passion for Social Media
• Training or Coaching
55. The Realistic Approach
Create an Action Plan for Success
List 1-2 Actionable
Ways to Proceed and WHEN:
• Institute a Social Media Plan
• Familiarize Self with Media
• Talk with Team/Staff/Superiors
• Start a Focus Group or Committee