Harnessing the power of social media has become an essential strategy for institutions to maintain a vibrant and connected alumni community. As digital platforms evolve, they will affect how we communicate and interact with alumni. Many educational institutions have designed innovative ways to engage alumni through creative social media campaigns that provide alumni with opportunities to relive cherished memories, share their experiences, and contribute to the ongoing legacy of their alma mater. Here are some examples:
- #Memories: Foster engagement and a spirit of community with a photo sharing campaign.
- #ThrowbackThursday Campus Edition: Encourage alumni to share their old campus photos on a certain day of a month or week with a designated hashtag, allowing them to reminisce about their time at the school while creating a sense of nostalgia.
- #FlashbackFriday Virtual Reunion: Use the hashtag #FlashbackFriday to encourage alumni from different years to share their reunion memories and anecdotes, creating a virtual reunion atmosphere.
- #TravelTuesday Alumni Adventures: Encourage alumni to share photos and stories from their travels around the world, fostering a sense of global community.
- Alumni Takeover: Allow different alumni to take over the school’s social media accounts for a day. They can share their experiences, daily routines, and insights, giving current students a glimpse into post-graduation life.
- Alumni Stories Podcast Series: Create a podcast series that features alumni sharing their inspiring success stories or interesting anecdotes. This can provide valuable insights and motivation for both current students and other alumni.
- Virtual Homecoming Challenge: Organise a week-long virtual homecoming challenge where alumni participate in daily tasks, challenges, and interactive polls, fostering engagement and excitement.
- Alumni Spotlight Video Series: Produce short video interviews featuring alumni from various backgrounds and industries. These videos can be shared on social media to showcase the diversity of alumni achievements.
- Virtual Alumni Achievement Awards: Announce and celebrate outstanding alumni achievements through a series of social media posts leading up to an online award ceremony. Remember to show appreciation for your social media ambassadors.
- Alumni Stories are Instagram Stories: Use Instagram Stories to share short, engaging snippets of alumni stories, showcasing their career journeys, milestones, and contributions.
These unique social media campaigns demonstrate the creative ways that schools are engaging their alumni community online. By tailoring campaigns to alumni interests and using various social media platforms, institutions can effectively foster a sense of connection, pride, and engagement among their alumni.
Read more articles in the Alumni Relations Transformations Series at AlmaShines or the Impactrics Resources area.
