eduWeb 2008 in 140 words – You Have Faculty Using Technology to Market? Are You Kidding Me? by Dr. Greg Williams, Assistant Professor and Director at UMBC

Note from Karine: This year, I’ve asked all the eduWeb speakers working in universities/colleges to share in 140 words or less the biggest take-away from their presentation or table talk. If you’ve attended this session, feel free to weigh in by posting a comment, a question or a suggestion.

Here are the main “take-aways” from this session

Faculty’s New Role in Marketing

• Faculty will become more involved in marketing
• Faculty will be held more accountable for their programs

Marketing Shift

• End to mass media advertising as we know it
• Today’s consumer is in control of what they look for and when

Integrated Marketing

• Marketing is more than ads
• Need to analyze academic program and services
• Not the number of inquiries, it’s what you do with them
• Define and communicate how you are different
• Career services can differentiate you

Interactive Strategy

• You must engages inquirers in the process
• Your website content must be meaningful and searchable
• Relationships with potential students matter

Technology is a Tool, Not a Savior

• Not the tool, but how your use it
• Use familiar technology consumer knows (e.g. Google, YouTube)
• Google Ads Words provides affordable options with real data

Lessons Learned

• No silver bullet to increase enrollment.
• Growth takes time
• No overnight successes