This presentation demonstrates how Facebook, combined with other social networking tools such as blog software, provide libraries with the opportunity to develop a virtual and engaging outreach presence. This presentation will discuss how to maintain an online community using customizable Facebook Pages and importing RSS feeds. Librarians can update and inform students, faculty, and staff of new events, workshops, library services and resources. Challenges and ideas for marketing these tools are also presented.
1. Building an Active
Online Community
Presented by:
Ligaya Ganster
Bridget Schumacher
University at Buffalo Libraries
2. quot;Facebook is a social
utility that connects you
with the people around
youquot;.
3. It's not just a Fad!
• More than 100 MILLION active
users!
• 4th most trafficked website in the
world
• Over 55,000 regional, work-related,
high school, and collegiate networks
29. “The new style of
marketing is characterized
by conversation and
community.”
-Society for New Communications Research, 2008
30. Marketing Ideas
• Listservs
• Student Associations
• Advertisements
• Signage/Flyers
• Facebook Badge
• Word of Mouth
31. Pros
• Free marketing and • Collaboration
outreach made easy
• Outreach to • Conversations
international between users
community
• Consolidation of
• Outreach to key website areas
prospective students;
high school students
32. What Students are Saying…
quot;Wow, that is really
amazing this extension…
Here in Europe universities
are lacking of doing
innovative stuff like this...
I should really consider
going for that exchange
program with Buffalo my
next semester.quot;
- International Student
33. Facebook & Int’l Markets
Facebook took over the global lead in social
networking sites in April 2008
Facebook had made quot;an effort to become
more culturally relevant in markets
outside the USquot;
It's introduction to natural language
interfaces in several markets has helped
propel the site to 153% growth during the
past year
-comSCORE, August 2008
34. Cons
• Find or become the • Monitor and
person with the skills constantly update the
to create custom page
application
• Prepare and plan;
• Network and stay must have everything
updated with ready before you
Facebook changes publish the page
• Create a marketing
campaign!