Navigating the world of social media and financial aid

Jessica Hickernell

University of Maine

NAVIGATING THE WORLD OF SOCIAL

MEDIA AND FINANCIAL AID

THE STATS: SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE

Credit: http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/01/08/social-media-update-2013/frequency-of-social-media-site-use/

THE STATS: FACEBOOK

Credit: http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/01/08/social-media-update-2013/frequency-of-social-media-site-use/

THE STATS: TWITTER

Credit: http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/01/08/social-media-update-2013/frequency-of-social-media-site-use/

THE STATS: INSTAGRAM AND PINTEREST

Credit: http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/01/08/social-media-update-2013/frequency-of-social-media-site-use/

Meet students where they are most comfortable

Decrease phone calls, wait times, long lines

REASONS TO GO SOCIAL: CUSTOMER SERVICE

Help students in a public setting

REASONS TO GO SOCIAL: SOCIAL PROOF

Post updates, deadlines, and important information instantly

Instant communications and timely, meaningful topics

REASONS TO GO SOCIAL: TIMELY CONTENT

Proof that we are more than just the person ‘behind the desk’

REASONS TO GO SOCIAL: CREDIBILITY AND LOYALTY

Communicate early and often in a public setting

REASONS TO GO SOCIAL: TRANSPARENCY AND ACCESS

Use it as an educational tool

REASONS TO GO SOCIAL: FINANCIAL LITERACY

Challenges:Resources-

Time Personnel Experts

Nature of Public Discourse Online forums bring good and bad

FERPA Protection of student information

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

Negative comments not always a bad thing Opportunity for feedback and change

Be honest

Be tactful

Contact person directly

Feel free to delete

NEGATIVE COMMENTS

Post at least 3x per week

Know when to postTypically posting between 6am -9am results in less views than posting during hours that students are more active online

STRATEGIES

Advertise your page Have student employees share it Post in other school-affi liated pages

TAG!

Retweet/share articles and posts that are relevant to your students Engages people Increases chances of others using your materials

STRATEGIES

Don’t be too seriousDon’t strictly post informational, text postsPost funny things that are still relevantSparks discussion, serves as reminders, and build your followers

EMBRACE THE MEMES!

STRATEGIES

Post things that aren’t necessarily related to aid directly

Respond to comments promptly

Utilize student employees to quality check your posts Do they find them interesting, engaging Ask for feedback

Have weekly themed days Example: What’s Free Wednesday (#WFW) – showcase area

events, food, and other things that are free at your school/in your community for students to take advantage of

STRATEGIES

www.facebook.com/umainefinancialaid

www.facebook.com/umainestudentemployment

www.facebook.com/umfinaid

www.facebook.com/UTOSFS

twitter.com/msufinaid

twitter.com/LoyolaFinAid

EXAMPLES

QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION