Is the new social network worth the time, or just a flash in the pan?
Pinterest, a virtual pinboard where users can collage and share images, videos and other interests, has become popular in a short period of time, recently being named the third most popular social media network in the country (behind Facebook and Twitter).
Now colleges just have to figure out how to use it to promote their admissions. Pinterest’s primary demographic is made up of ages 25-34, while college-age users make up only 17% and pre-college (12-17) only 4%.
Which means it’s a great way to connect to past, present and future students, but coming up with a strategy to target a specific audience may be tricky.
If your school wants to use Pinterest to draw attention, follow the lead of these colleges:
- Iowa’s Drake University created boards around themes including studying abroad, cooking for college students and exploring the Des Moines area – all of which give visitors a better sense of the school’s culture and community. Even Drake’s mascot – a bulldog – gets an image collection.
- Oberlin College uses Pinterest to tell the school’s story through the voices of its current and former students. Using other perspectives on the school can give a more personalized experience for prospective students than the “official” website.
Is your school using Pinterest? Tell us about your strategies, and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.
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