Social Networking can be a great way to reach both prospective students and current students. Most people today have either Facebook or Twitter, espeically Generation Y. They don't respond voice to voice but texting, tweets and FB posts will get their attention. It's a great tool but only one to use when you are prepared to discuss the Enrollment Process correctly.
At our school we don't typically use Social Media to communicate with perspective students.
I am not sure if my school utlizes the social networking, but it is an AMAZING marketing tool. Pages are free, ads are specialized to individual interests, and the foundation is based upon the greatest marketing: word of mouth.
The popularity of social networking site such as Facebook and twitter have greatly affected communication with prospective students. In reality it seems to be a love/hate relationship with social media and any type of business. On one hand, our sites contain important and valuable information that the students/prospective students need; which cuts down on the calls we receive. On the other hand, cutting down on the calls received greatly reduces that one-on-one time with prospective students.
Our school does have a marketing plan that utilizes social networking. We post industry related articles about twice a week to keep our sites relevant in the industry and our school at the front of people minds.
In a way I agree that the use of social media could speed up the ripple affect of a negative remark but it also opens up a dialogue to address the issue and how the institution is responding and reacting to the information. I also believe that it opens up the opportunity to reply emotionally instead of using facts which can also negatively impact the school. If a student posts something negative towards the school an employee or agent of the school may feel they need to defend themselves or the school and respond to the student post out of emotion instead of waiting for an official response from the school to be posted. Overall I feel social media can have a great impact on recruiting but requires limited accessability to employees and current students to post and add information as to ensure the information posted in beneficial to the school and contains accurate, truthful information.
Facebook and Myspace and Twitter are very good resources to advertise and discuss topics. Students are more inclined to look at the internet for stuff to talk about. If they see a topic for discussion on your college they may look into it without realizing they were advertized to.
We use traditional social networking like Facebook, however have also found other online resources to be effective as well.
Most prospective students are now involved in social networking sites, so I believe this has become one of the most efficient ways to communicate with prospective students.
My institution does have a marketing plan that includes a significant portion to social networking sites.
Of course social networking sites do affect communications with prospective students. People especially young adults are always on social networking sites. In fact sometimes it is the best way to communicate with prospective students because people stay on social networking sites.
I think that using social networking is very beneficial to every school more specifically for the individual campuses. When you go to the school's website you may not get the specific programs offered at your campus. So by having a facebook page, prospective students will know what is or is not offered at the location they are planning to attend.
Social media is the fastest way students reach out toe ach other these days. Good and bad experiences are shared across the Nation in a moments notice. My school embraces social media as a means to showcase our programs, commitment to students and giving them an additional means to reach the school.
My school utilize the social networking site for prospective students, mostly facebook. Because of the connection with so many word to mouth can help or hurt a school. My school everytime I log into a social network thier logo or messages come up. I think it plays a large part of the communication as well as the school being a familiar name in the household.
Social networking sites have tremendously affected communications with prospective students in a positive way. Students are now able to communicate through these venues when they may not have a phone or other type of communication resource. I have found that most prospective students prefer to communicate this way because of its popularity. Our school uses social networking sites to market to our prospective students, current students, and alumni.
My University does utilize Social Networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to promote important deadlines in the admissions process. Since so many of our students are used to online classes, it gives a great transition into the student's world of Facebook and Twitter to reach out and show that our University has a popular online presence. We also have a marketing plan which includes these networking sites to reach our main demographic of online users looking for the flexibility of online courses through an accredited university.
Social Media has made a huge impact in the world of Marketing. It is a place where students and the general population can come together and have open discussions. It is an option in Marketing that we are currently exploring.
Cindi,
Yes, the school's registration number should be on the Facebook site.
Kimberly Stein
Our school does use social media in our marketing plan. I do believe this is good asset to reach out to students and be able to converse with each other specially when going to school online.
This seems like a good plan! So many will comment on facebook etc. and not answer phones or texts :)
Our marketing director posts on Facebook.
Is it mandatory for social networking sites to have the schools registration number posted somewhere?
Students are on this daily. Many schools have even integrated it into their blackboard systems. It's almost as easy to facebook someone as it is to call them.
