UCM manages Oakland University's main accounts and serves as a social media consultant for the campus community.
With planning and daily coddling, we have seen incredible growth and success in just the last two years in our ability to engage alumni, the community, prospective and current students with social media.
While it's ever-evolving, especially in the world of higher education, there are some known truths that we've found in our experience and research:
- Social media should be built in as a layer of all departments within an organization. Meaning, it's most effective to have one account on each major platform and departments contribute their expertise and strategic messaging.
- Even if your department has its own accounts, include plans to collaborate with the official OU social media accounts for maximum exposure.
- A communication plan outlining key events and messages for a 12-month period gives you ample time to plan.
- Daily content and monitoring is crucial. Have a trusted team of quick thinkers and problem solvers at the helm of your social accounts.
- Utilize tools like Hootsuite or Tweetdeck to seek out conversations on Twitter.
- Keep learning. Social media changes every single day. Subscribe to tech sites like Mashable and Social Media Today. Join social media groups on Linked In for webinars and white papers.
