Social media is really starting to go viral. How many of us now have long lost friends requesting us to join services like Facebook or Twitter to keep in touch with each other? How many times have you heard of "twitter polls" or "facebook discussions" referenced on mainstream media channels? Everyone is jumping on the social media band wagon. And you think your advising center should too!
But...how do you pitch the idea to your boss/supervisor? These technologies are not exactly simple to understand at the surface level. Here are some tips to pitch and sell social media to your superiors.
1. Use Lee LeFever's "Plain English" Series
This series can prime your supervisor for what you are about to discuss. Be sure to share these links (or point to this blog) before your meeting. Most people have heard of social media and some of the applications included in it, but most people are just now starting to latch onto the idea. These videos are easy to understand and really drive home the key concepts of almost all of the social media applications.
2. Come in with some examples of others work
Find others who have already implemented social media into their advising practice successfully.
Twitter
Facebook (Social Networking)
Social Bookmarking
Wikis
Blogs
3. Have "mock ups" of your own work
Facebook allows you to create a "fan page" without actually publishing it. This makes it very easy to show your supervisor and make any changes that he or she suggests before actually making it public. It's always easier to sell an idea when the ideas are tangible.
4. Show that you've done the research
What information do you have to back up the assertation that social media is something you should invest time and money into? What are students looking? What are the most cost effective ways to start? How much of your time will be involved? Have answers to these and other questions before going into the meeting. A good way to do this is start a social bookmarking account and keep track of all the articles you read. This is also a great way to find others who are researching social media in advising and share information. You can take a look at the resarch that I've done and then navigate through my network (other advisors who are interested in technology) to find the most current research. Add your own and help us grow!
5. Have a plan
You absolutely MUST read How to Sell Social Media... before your meeting.
Additionally, most supervisors want to know all of the specifics about how you are going to execute your project before you actually do it. Think about the time involved, what could go wrong, the long-term and short-term goals etc.
6. Stay current
The business of social media is changing ever day. Be sure to continously read blogs on education and technology, develop a way to communicate with other professionals who are interested in the same things that you are, and always try to be a bit ahead of the curve.
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