Capital Alumni Network - Using Message Boards to Connect

I talk a lot about connecting your alumni, and how that can benefit both your alumni and the university.  There are so many methods available to hook your alumni's interest, and many of them have been covered in previous blog articles.  Today, I'd like to comment on the Capital Alumni Network.  CAN is a unique group that engages alumni from many different colleges and universities and encourages interaction to facilitate business and career networking.

One of the tools they've added to their web site is a message board which gives alumni members a place to talk, network, and connect in a very powerful way.  As web sites become more sophisticated, we forget how versatile message boards can be.  They give a place, and an opportunity, to:

1.  Answer frequently asked questions.
2.  Facilitate discussions on specific topics of interest.
3.  Gather data.
4.  Increase the connection between users.
5.  Network with others about a variety of topics, such as careers, business, vacations, families, anything and everything!

CAN already has over 700 members registered, which is no small feat!  One of the biggest challenges in creating a busy and active message board is actually getting people to use them.  You can do a few different things to increase the chance that people will not only visit and register, but will keep coming back and contributing to the message board on an ongoing basis.

To increase use, consider:

1.  Ask users what they want included in the message boards. 
2.  Add controversial topics that are sure to bring out the passion in your alumni, and then sit back and watch the board take off!

Message boards are a terrific way to develop an ongoing repartee, connection, and networking environment for your alumni.  Chances are - your alumni will love having a place to hang out!