using social media to promote academic department’s missions michael j. zickar bowling green state...

Using Social Media to Promote Academic Department’s Missions

Michael J. ZickarBowling Green State University

Social Media and Psychology Departments• Facebook

• LinkedIn

• Twitter

• Others: Instagram, SnapChat, YikYak, Tumblr

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR USING SOCIAL MEDIA?

• Another avenue to connect with existing students

• Marketing tool for future students

• Reconnect with alumni

• Internal marketing

FACEBOOK BASICS

• Create a Page (not a Group)

• Track metrics through Insights

• Post content on a regular basis• Schedule posts is a great tool

• Photos are your friend

FACEBOOK METRICS

WHO ARE YOUR FANS?

WHAT ARE OTHER DEPARTMENTS DOING?

WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR LIKES

• Facebook advertising• Flyers throughout building • Email signatures• First-year student orientation• Tagging people in photos• Post content on a regular basis

CONTENT IDEAS FOR FACEBOOK

• News items

• Photos

• Announcements

• Data collections

CELEBRATIONS

PHOTOS

ALUMNI UPDATES

NEWS

FACULTY UPDATES

WAYS TO GET CONTENT

• Google News is your friend– Saved Google News Searches

– Referrals– Student Groups– Check up on your alumni– Virtual networking with other groups– Invest in a good digital camera

CAUTIONS

• What to do with negative comments

• Narcissists

• Delegation/Coordination

• Time Management

LINKEDIN

• Create an alumni group

• Use to find out where your alumni are

• Much more useful for nonacademics

CONCLUSIONS

• Social media is a fun way to connect to various important constituencies

• Tracking metrics can be addicting

• Cross-fertilization is important

• Only do it if you can put effort into it

THANKS!