How To Create an Engaging and Welcoming Community Through Schools App
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The document discusses strategies for creating an engaging community through a schools app, emphasizing the importance of relevant content and community involvement. Key recommendations include automating membership, utilizing CRM widgets, and promoting the app through various outreach methods. It also highlights the role of students as moderators and suggests organizing contests and events to foster interaction.
How To Create an Engaging and Welcoming Community Through Schools App
- 1. #TargetXSummit How To Create an Engaging and Welcoming Community Through Schools App Sarah Gibbs and Damian Salonick
- 2. #TargetXSummit Introductions ● M.S. in Communications and Information Systems ● 19+ Years in Higher Education ○ As a client we saw a 54% adoption of Schools App in first year and a 71% adoption in second year ● Joined TargetX in September 2018 ● Based north of Pittsburgh, PA MEET SARAH ● Project Manager ○ Prior role as Implementation Engineer ● B.S. in Information Sciences ● 4 years of Higher Ed experience in Admissions at Penn State ● Joined TargetX in August 2017 ● Based in Philadelphia, PA MEET DAMIAN
- 3. Best Practices for Engagement Tips for Maintaining your Schools App Q&A
- 4. Start off Strong with Launch Content ● Help ensure that students see valuable content in Schools App from the first time they log in ○ Staff bios- add personal connection ○ Pictures of campus ○ Links to events, activities, etc ○ Feature “How-To’s” ● Think about the population- what is relevant for a prospect vs. admit vs. current student? ○ Connect with those that run campus social media
- 5. Access the Right Data ● What data points are you bringing in for each student? ○ What do you need to appropriately segment populations for relevant announcements? ● Automate community membership with Community Mapping feature ● No field number limits for import
- 6. Make the Most of Schools App CRM Widget ● Utilize private messaging- modern and easy way to connect with students ● SSO through Salesforce ● Take note of stats- last login, etc ○ These are a great indicator of enrollment likelihood and how effective your approach for engagement is
- 7. Get Students involved as Moderators ● Ambassadors, tour guides, orientation leaders, admission interns ● Takes some of the volume off of your staff ○ Moderation ○ Content Creation ○ Management of communities ● Adds sense of peer involvement to Schools App ○ Students may be more comfortable asking a fellow student a question ○ Think of it like a Teaching Assistant
- 8. Promoting Schools App to boost join rates ● Motivate students to join ○ Email communications ○ Banner at events/tours ○ Flyers ○ Free t-shirt ● Make them see value- roommate finder ○ Popular among students- give them a reason to join ○ Establish items that are exclusively accessible in Schools App ● Timing is Key!
- 9. Leveraging Features ● Meetups ○ Everyone loves coffee/tea! ○ New movie coming out? ○ Alumni gatherings? ○ Events on campus ● Communities ○ Help them find their “tribe” ○ Suggested communities vs allowing the student to create ● Study Groups ○ Most helpful for Summer camps or enrolled students
- 10. Contests ● Photo Contests ○ Posing with acceptance packet ○ Favorite spot on campus ○ Favorite spot in hometown ● Vote Contest ○ Share your pet ○ Share what you’ll miss ○ Most excited for in college ○ Best advice ● Contest winners ○ Be clear
- 11. Announcements RELEVANT ● Upcoming *specific* dates like Admitted Student Day or Summer Orientation and WHY they are important ● Contest Details ● Needed documentation *segment* NOT RELEVANT ● Checking in ● Where are you at in your decision (leverage Polls instead!) ● “Still time…”
- 12. Maintaining ● You can never overplan ● Schedule, schedule, schedule, and schedule some more… ● Get everyone involved!
- 13. Sample Schedule Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Inspiration Fun/Historical Fact Weekend Events Repost Campus News Advice Blog Repost Question Post Add imagery/videos whenever relevant and impactful. Pro Tip
- 14. Q & A What are you doing in Schools App now? What’s working? What isn’t?
- 15. Thank You! Sarah Gibbs sarah.gibbs@targetx.com Damian Salonick damian.salonick@targetx.com