1. Jessica Hickernell University of Maine NAVIGATING THE WORLD OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND FINANCIAL AID

2. THE STATS: SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE Credit: http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/01/08/social- media-update-2013/frequency-of-social-media-site-use/

3. THE STATS: FACEBOOK Credit: http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/01/08/social- media-update-2013/frequency-of-social-media-site-use/

4. THE STATS: TWITTER Credit: http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/01/08/social- media-update-2013/frequency-of-social-media-site-use/

5. THE STATS: INSTAGRAM AND PINTEREST Credit: http://www.pewinternet.org/2014 /01/08/social-media-update- 2013/frequency-of-social-media- site-use/

6.  Meet students where they are most comfortable  Decrease phone calls, wait times, long lines REASONS TO GO SOCIAL: CUSTOMER SERVICE

7.  Help students in a public setting REASONS TO GO SOCIAL: SOCIAL PROOF

8.  Post updates, deadlines, and important information instantly  Instant communications and timely, meaningful topics REASONS TO GO SOCIAL: TIMELY CONTENT

9.  Proof that we are more than just the person ‘behind the desk’ REASONS TO GO SOCIAL: CREDIBILITY AND LOYALTY

10.  Communicate early and often in a public setting REASONS TO GO SOCIAL: TRANSPARENCY AND ACCESS

11.  Use it as an educational tool REASONS TO GO SOCIAL: FINANCIAL LITERACY

12.  Challenges:  Resources-  Time  Personnel  Experts  Nature of Public Discourse  Online forums bring good and bad  FERPA  Protection of student information THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

13.  Negative comments not always a bad thing  Opportunity for feedback and change  Be honest  Be tactful  Contact person directly  Feel free to delete NEGATIVE COMMENTS

14.  Post at least 3x per week  Know when to post  Typically posting between 6am -9am results in less views than posting during hours that students are more active online STRATEGIES

15.  Advertise your page  Have student employees share it  Post in other school-affiliated pages  TAG!  Retweet/share articles and posts that are relevant to your students  Engages people  Increases chances of others using your materials STRATEGIES

16.  Don’t be too serious  Don’t strictly post informational, text posts  Post funny things that are still relevant  Sparks discussion, serves as reminders, and build your followers EMBRACE THE MEMES! STRATEGIES

18.  Post things that aren’t necessarily related to aid directly  Respond to comments promptly  Utilize student employees to quality check your posts  Do they find them interesting, engaging  Ask for feedback  Have weekly themed days  Example: What’s Free Wednesday (#WFW) – showcase area events, food, and other things that are free at your school/in your community for students to take advantage of STRATEGIES

19.  www.facebook.com/umainefinancialaid www.facebook.com/umainefinancialaid  www.facebook.com/umainestudentemployment www.facebook.com/umainestudentemployment  www.facebook.com/umfinaid www.facebook.com/umfinaid  www.facebook.com/UTOSFS www.facebook.com/UTOSFS  twitter.com/msufinaid twitter.com/msufinaid  twitter.com/LoyolaFinAid twitter.com/LoyolaFinAid EXAMPLES

20. QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION