Facebook is a huge aspect of communicating with prospective students, especially in the HS market. We have very strict rules and guidelines to follow for our facebook pages that are routinely monitored.
I know that many schools do use facebook as a networking/advertising tool. Have your schools considered you making additional accounts? I know my institution and my undergraduate had people create second accounts for work ONLY! I totally agree that you should not friend prospective students with your personal accounts, but a school account is just a suggestion!
I think businesses and schools that want to grow and stay connected to the younger generations will have to have social networking sites. It shows that your business or school/institution is current and up to date. They are also a good place for a student to go and get information and get plugged into the campus and other students. I don't know mush about my school's marketing plan for the use of social networking as I am very new to this school. It is something I will have to ask as I go about my training.
I believe social networking works great with the communication of the school and what it can ofer to prospective students.
It seems as though every business now has a social networking site connection, and have pushed perspective customers to 'join' them. It looks to be as these sites are helping thier prospecting, and I dont think college would be any different, especially with the popularity of the sites, and the age group of perspective students. I believe it would be wise for a school to have a social networking connection and use that connection to get thier name out, create positive community impact, and prospect students
We do. However, it is required that each Admissions Representative go thru training on what is/is not permitted to be communicated thru social media.
Social networking sites are probably one of the best marketing tools a company could use. Many people are on these sites which gives companies in advantage to market themselves in a great area.
With today's student, people want to learn their way, communicate their way, which makes social networks an important part of most industries. We have to use it to oommunicate, promote, and educate. However, it is important to stay very compliant when using social networks.
We do not use them either. I think that it is something that we might move forward with in the future by currently we are not. I would be a great way for students to learn more, but it could also be a tough obstacle to overcome.
I believe our location has a plan for this in the making however, I have not seen or heard of the well-developed site. I think this would be a great idea to integrate and gain student and community awareness.
Social networking sites make keeping in contact with students much easier. My school uses Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to promote any upcoming classes or special pricing.
Our School has a facebook page, online information for prospective students, blogs about the different programs we offer. We feel it is important to use social networking sites in our marketing.
I agree that Facebook, Twitter, and Blogs allow students to stay up with the current happenings with the school. I also agree that students should not become personal friends with staff of the schools.
I don't believe that my institution is advertised on any social networks. Those sites are not a part of our marketing plan nor do you use face book or twitter to communicate with our students.
No. Fortis College (as far as I have been advised) does not have a Facebook, Myspace or Twitter page...outside of individual students/faculty, "friending," students, for example. But there is not an individual page for such activities developed and maintained by Fortis, that I am aware of.
As for the popularity, this is true. This would be a great market to reach out to those whom show computer knowledge and skills by maintaining such social networking sites. To eventually tap into this market would be a great tool...but at the same time, it is a great individual tool to speak to friends/family (whom may be scattered throughout the US...or beyond) about possibily changing their lives with education. But again, this is a tool that will need to be balanced as it can be real easy to, "slip," and say something inapptopriate or wrong, without being monitored or recorded via conversation...(its a catch-22).
I agree, however our school has implemented a "chat with representative" function on the website and this has proved viable for generating new leads and also answering current student questions.
To my knowledge my school does not have a marketing plan that includes the use of a social networking site; even if it does I am unaware of how social networking sites have affected communications with prospective students.
Social Networking sites can be a very useful resource but we must be careful not to "cross the line" with our students. Many PDR's can be generated from a happy student notifying their social networking friends.
Participating in social networking sites is a catch 22. If you are involved you risk law suites for many reasons, if you stay clear of them you risk being left behind. I feel that having a great website is the cure. If your school has website that is interactive and up to date students won't feel like they are being left out, and at the same time each school can control to a certain degree what is being said.
No we don't but we just talked about it today. I feel if you should keep up with technology or you can lose a lot of interested people because of that.
