This is somewhat tongue and cheek, but have your noticed that those who really get marketing on campuses tend to be the same people who actively use Facebook?
Marketing insight is not really about how old one is or what generation one is from. It’s more about how connected one is. And one of the primary means of connection for college students these days, for better or for worse, is Facebook. I graduated from college before the Internet became mainstream, but I find myself using social media, like Facebook, more and more to stay connected with friends and colleagues and to meet new people. But I also find myself learning new things about my university, its students and the culture in general.
I’ve noticed that my colleagues who don’t use Facebook tend to appear “out of the loop” in many ways. And I also find that those colleagues of mine who have recently begun to engage regularly on Facebook, both older and younger, are noticeably more insightful and engaged in what’s going on than they were previously. They also tend to become more insightful and engaged when it comes to issues related to higher ed marketing.
Anyway, this is completely anecdotal, but I thought it was an observation worth sharing in case anyone else felt the same way.
UPDATE: Facebook Surpasses MySpace
Tags: Facebook
No, you’re exactly right. You notice people who use those sites as a part of their ordinary lives, as opposed to just doing it because others do, are really more ‘plugged in’ to what’s going on and can really start to cite trends and actual substantive — albeit, perhaps ancedotal — trends of what’s happening “in the field.”
Social networking sites are increasingly becoming the “new email” institutionally. People are sharing more and more information this way, not just personal information, but other data and such alike they’re finding and so, I’m always astounded by how plugged-in I feel compared to colleagues or others I know in the field who aren’t as aware of what’s happening and are surprised when you lift the veil.
Good point. Those who interact, rather than those who just observe, get more out of it.
Never really thought about it like that before, but that’s a really interesting observation. After thinking about it I think your absolutely right! Online Marketing is about building a relationship. The trust and branding are very important, but when you build a relationship with your customers/audience then you really notice the results.
Right, and it’s hard to build a relationship when you don’t understand your customers.