1. Social Media Innovation
In Higher Education
By Ashley Palumbo
MSPC 3050 Social Media Marketing &
Communication

2. Embracing Social Media
“As social media
becomes more
integral to students‟
lives, educational
institutions are
finally catching on,
and catching up.”
- Matt Silverman
* Top 100 Social Media

3. People
Who are you trying to reach?
• Prospective & Current
Students
• Alumni
• Faculty & Staff
• Parents & Community
Members
Where are they most
active?

4. Popular Social Media
100
90
80
70
60 18-22
23-31
50
32-45
40
46-66
30 67+
20
10
0
Facebook Linked-In Twitter
* July 2011 study by Forrester Research, Inc.

5. Objectives
Why are you using social media?
• Attract Students
• Retain Students
• Enhance Learning
• Promote School
Pride
• Maintain
Connections

6. Strategy
What‟s your social media
policy?
“Imagine how the
groundswell will
change the way you
run your business over
the next few years.”
- Charlene Li & Josh
Bernoff

7. Technology
Which technologies are most appropriate?

8. Creating Conversations
“There is no „right way‟
• Ask Questions
to engage the
groundswell.” • Offer Incentives
- Charlene Li & Josh • Listen &
Bernoff
Respond
• Energize
Groundswell

9. Ubiquitous Groundswell
“We can no more stop its move to our
handheld devices than we can stop a
landslide.”
- Michael Fienan

10. References
• Bernoff, J. And Li, C. (2008). Groundswell: Winning in a world
transformed by social technologies. Boston, MA. Forrester
Research Inc.
• Fienan, M. “Best of the Mobile Higher Ed Web.”
http://doteduguru.com/id5154-best-of-the-mobile-higher-ed-
web.html.
• Pidaparthy, U. “How Colleges Use, Misuse Social Media to
Reach Students.” CNN.com.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/20/tech/social-media/universities-
social-media/index.html.
• Silverman, M. “How Higher Education Uses Social Media.”
Mashable .com 4 ways to improve.
http://mashable.com/2012/02/03/higher-education-social-media/.
• Tsouvalas, D. “Top 100 Social Media Colleges.”