You’ve just launched your new community platform for your alumni. The email has been sent and already you have a few hundred sign ups.

Fantastic!

Engagement those first couple of weeks is high, you’ve nailed it.

Or so you think..

A few months in, sign ups have dwindled, and activity on the site itself is low. There’s the occasional peak when the ‘alumni news’ newsletter gets sent but beyond that very little is happening…

Sound like a familiar story?

We’ve heard this time and time again from the schools and universities we speak to. And when you might be investing upwards of a five figure sum per year in the platform, you need to ensure you’re driving engagement, not just using it as a site to collect email addresses.

So how do you get your alumni to keep coming back?

Understand your audience:

The first step in boosting engagement is understanding your audience.

Who are your alumni?

What are their interests, their motivations?

Conduct surveys, analyse data, and actively listen to feedback to gain insights into what matters most to them.

Most importantly, tailor your content and initiatives to resonate with their needs and preferences. After all, most people are interested in content about them, people they know, or topics of personal interest.

Foster a Sense of Community

People are drawn to communities where they feel a sense of belonging and connection.

Encourage interactions among alumni by initiating online conversations, creating interest groups, and event pages. Create online galleries tailored to members of your community – be it which house or college they were in, what sports they played, and which drama productions they had a part in (or even create a personalised online gallery of their time with you – one of the exclusive SocialArchive® features).

Provide opportunities for them to share their experiences, offer advice, and submit some of the photos and videos they may have from their time with you – all helping to strengthen the bonds within the community.

Provide Value-Added Content

Offering valuable and relevant content is key to keeping alumni engaged.

Share industry insights, career resources, and exclusive perks that can benefit them professionally and personally. Invite guest speakers, host webinars, and organise workshops to provide ongoing learning opportunities. Keep them informed about updates to your institution, alumni achievements, and upcoming events to maintain their interest and participation.

Facilitate Meaningful Connections

Facilitate connections between alumni, students, and staff to expand their networks and opportunities. Implement mentorship programs, job boards, and alumni directories to help them find mentors, mentees, and career opportunities.

Encourage alumni to give back by volunteering, mentoring, or contributing to fundraising efforts. Cultivate a culture of reciprocity and mutual support within the community.

Embrace Technology

Harness the power of technology to enhance the user experience, streamline engagement efforts, and to deliver personalised content. Invest in a user-friendly platform specific to the education sector that provides built in engagement tools.

Leverage data analytics to track engagement metrics, identify trends, find out more about your community members, and measure the impact of your initiatives. Continuously iterate and improve based on feedback and data.

Cultivate a Culture of Engagement

Ultimately, cultivating a culture of engagement requires ongoing commitment and effort from both the alumni community and your development team.

Encourage active participation, recognise contributions, identify your alumni champions, and foster a spirit of collaboration and inclusivity. Listen to feedback, adapt to changing needs, and iterate on your strategies to keep the momentum going.

Sustaining engagement on your alumni community platform is a dynamic journey that extends far beyond mere sign-ups. To truly captivate and retain your alumni’s attention, delve into understanding their interests, motivations, and needs. Build a nurturing community where members feel a deep sense of belonging, and consistently offer them value through relevant content and networking opportunities (social and professional). Embracing technology can amplify these efforts, providing personalised experiences and insightful analytics to guide your strategies with little or no additional work.

So what are you waiting for?! Take the next step towards maximising engagement by booking a demo of SocialArchive today or reaching out to us at info@socialarchive.com for more information.