Got a MySpace/FaceBook Page YET?

Social networking sites such as MySpace and FaceBook have become enormously popular.  These sites are great avenues for connecting with individuals and groups of people in a simple and effortless manner.  In fact, we've had over 400 alumni and admission professionals take part in our online webinars that show effective methods in setting up a MySpace and FaceBook page.  Why are these sites, and our webinars, so popular with alumni and admission professionals?  Because alumni professionals want to connect with their alumni and young alumni, and admissions professionals want to connect with prospective students.  Our webinars show them how to do just that.

Annette Levitt, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations for Illinois State University, was an early adopter of using MySpace and FaceBook as a marketing tool to increase registrations in Illinois State University's alumni online community.  Annette effectively uses their mascot, Reggie Redbird, in their MySpace strategy to attract alumni.  The website is focused on Reggie Redbird, and students and alumni are encouraged to join the Reggie Redbird page.  According to Annette, Reggie has over 1500 FaceBook friends, over 500 MySpace friends, and has even received marriage proposals!

As Paris Hilton would say, "Reggie is HOT!"

Annette uses all angles to make sure that this tool engages and involves alumni.  For example, Reggie (Annette) sends a Happy Birthday greeting to all alumni who are celebrating a birthday each and every day.  This program has been so successful that other departments on campus are asking her to send messages to all of Reggie's friends about events and activities.  Annette suggests that to make the best use of this, you or someone else should spend some time initially in building the friend list.  After awhile, you'll be excited to see how viral marketing will take over and how new friends arrive daily.  She feels that this online engagement of over 2,000 alumni is worth the one hour per week that she puts into managing this.  After all, she states, "Where can you touch the lives of so many alumni so inexpensively and so quickly?"

As a reminder of the touch points, she suggests the comments made by alumni who are engaging with Reggie are priceless.  Need information on how to do this?  Drop me a note!