This document discusses the case for online alumni communities. It notes that changes in technology are transforming education from the 20th to 21st century model. It highlights that alumni needs and institutional goals often have an "engagement gap" that online communities can help bridge. Data shows alumni prefer social-like websites over traditional sites. The document outlines what alumni want from communities and examples of successful communities. It argues communities are more cost-effective than traditional marketing and can boost engagement and donations.
4. Change Is Coming
Changes prompted by the nexus (mobile, cloud, social & data)
are setting the stage for transforming the education
environment from a 20th-century mindset to a 21st-century
paradigm.
Predicts 2014: Technology Drives Education Toward Transformation
#alumnicommunity
8. The Engagement Gap
A chalkboard explanation
Alumni
Needs
Engagement Gap
Institutional
Goals
#alumnicommunity
9. Audience Preferences Changed
% of alumni that never visit
their website
360Alumni Primary Research Survey, June 2013
vs
% of alumni that would visit
their website
if it were more
like a social network
#alumnicommunity
16. Online Communities:
- Jenny Preece
Dean of IT
University of Maryland
4 Parts:
People, a shared purpose, policies
& computer systems
#alumnicommunity
18. New Business Models
“With the traditional funding streams withering away at
such great speed, academic institutions have to think about
not only how to cut cost, but, preferably, how to create new
revenue … they have to think about their business model.”
Gartner - Business Model Innovation
Examples In Education, Jan 2013
#alumnicommunity
20. Average Time to Get Up and Running
Telemarketing
Direct Mail
Traditional Website
Online Community
12 weeks
4 weeks
2 weeks
12 weeks
#alumnicommunity
22. Constituent Pyramid
Top Donors;
Very Engaged
Sweet Spot
Avg gift of $1,206
Increase
frequency
to 2x / yr:
Additional
$150,000
Increase
percentage to
15%:
Additional
$75K
Average gift of $50.
30,000 Alumni, 10% giving
-or-
#alumnicommunity
26. Social Network Drawbacks
● Different objectives
● Too much noise
● Data is not yours
● Not a hub
● Won’t build your brand
● No integrated
fundraising
#alumnicommunity
31. TM
Thank you for attending!
Q&A
Megan Reile
Client Services
mreile@360alumni.com
716-239-1554
#alumnicommunity
32. Take Away
Case Study:
360Alumni is a great solution. It has added an important
networking piece that we didn’t have before. Alumni have
responded very well to the new community, saving my
department time and development effort, and allowing for a
smooth method of encouraging and incurring donations online.
“
“
Pitt Community College
Ashley Dews Smith, Director of Alumni Relations
#alumnicommunity