Given the virtual nature of life in this season, incoming students are likely to seek out information about your fellowship online more so now than ever. Having updated websites and social media platforms with the main purpose of connecting students to the fellowship will be vital. With InterVarsity’s national marketing pushes during June and July, there will be additional inquiries from students. Note, part of the national push will be on Instagram.
Note that the actual updating of websites and social media platforms might not be part of your responsibility as a campus staff minister, but instead student leaders will do the work. All you need to do is prompt them and give them the above rationales. This is true for both the passive platforms like webpages and also marketing campaigns that proactively seek out incoming students.
UPDATE 7.20.20: Visit https://staff.intervarsity.org/onso and scroll down to "Training Opportunities" to sign up for Social Media 101 on July 22, Social Media 201 on August 4, and Social Media Bootcamp including classes on Instagram, social media, creating a website, and more. If you miss it, check back for recordings. Happy networking!
Website and Social Media Recommendations
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Update and/or create website, facebook, instagram, etc to be up-to-date and modern
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Creating a website: Contact Mac.Smith@intervarsity.org to access InterVarsity’s Weebly Design Pro templates and create a new website. This Purdue GFM site as well as the Idaho sites can be used as templates to enter your information and it will create a site for you. (Weebly websites can be linked to domain names hosted by godaddy, University’s, or other hosts)
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Update web presence with NSO events (virtual and in-person)
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Update web presence with current student leaders and staff contact information
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Update web presence with online contact card or google form
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Either create an online contact card system that’s easy to share via link in a text message/email and/or drive prospective fellowship members to your website where they can fill out a google form to get signed up.
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The main goal for the website during the summer is to connect with incoming students and help them find their way into the group. The website should always have a way to sign up and get on the mailing list for the InterVarsity group. By way of example, check out hgscf.org.
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Consider creating a Youtube promo video for the group (There might also be a GFM national Youtube promo video coming)
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Request from your undergrad colleagues that their websites have an option for GFM or a link to your site. Also, they can be great resources for creative ideas for NSO and social media.
Tips and Pointers on how to make sure your chapter website comes up when people are searching for similar things.
