Terry-fic Connections

The Terry College of Business is one of the most accredited programs at UGA. One of the reasons for this is because of Terry's loyal alumni that feel a strong connection to Terry, even if they did not graduate recently. One of the ways Terry maintains this connection is through its social media. Terry uses its social media platforms, specifically Facebook and Instagram, to stay connected and build relationships with Terry students and alumni. 

With Terry being in the middle of building the new Business Learning Community, it is important for the members of the Terry community to feel connected to Terry, especially alumni. Since the alumni were not able to experience the new Terry buildings, it is essential for Terry to still make them feel a part of the business school, even though a new era of Terry has begun. One way Terry kept both current students and alumni connected and informed during the construction of the new Business Learning Center is through Facebook and Instagram updates. Every time there was significant progress on any of the new buildings, Terry uploaded a picture to both their Facebook and Instagram profiles. In addition to pictures, Terry's Facebook page posted drone videos, showing aerials of the new BLC, and 360° views of the BLC courtyard to generate excitement. 

In addition to keeping members of the business school updated on construction, Terry uses its social media to highlight accomplished alumni and students. On the alumni side, Terry informs students when notable alumni are coming to speak for "Terry Talks". On the student side, Terry posts to notify followers when students win contests such as sales competitions. Additionally, pictures of outstanding students are posted with quotes about how Terry has positively impacted their life or advice for post-grad life. 

One thing Terry really prides itself in is the quality of learning the business school provides and the success of their students after graduation. Terry was recently ranked the #14 public business school by U.S. News and World Report. This report also ranks Terry as having the #2 (#1 public) risk management program, #5 (#3 public) real estate program, #12 (#7 public) accounting program, and the #14 (#10 public) MIS program. After graduation, 97% of Terry undergraduate students and 93% of full-time MBA students were employed within 3 months of graduation. Terry posted links to these articles and statistics on their Facebook page, which enabled followers to share and like the post, and therefore increased the post's reach and allowed the article to receive more attention. 

Terry College climbs in U.S. News & World Report rankings

Through their social media marketing, The Terry College of Business is able to connect with prospective students, current students, and alumni. By updating their social media regularly, Terry makes all of their members feel like they are a part of the Terry community, regardless of campus, age, or graduation year. The ultimate goal of Terry's social media marketing is to increase loyalty to the Terry College of Business, create a larger network within the Terry community, and promote giving to Terry. Building these relationships with students and alumni through social media makes them feel like they are still part of the Terry family, which builds loyalty and makes alumni more likely to give back to Terry. Ultimately, this all increases Terry's national presence and will make Terry stronger and more successful in years to come. 

Chick-fil-bae Beechwood

If you've ever been to Chick-fil-a Beechwood, then you'll agree that it is one of the most efficiently run businesses ever. Between their incredible customer service, scary fast drive thru, and unbelievable food, CFA keeps their customers coming back regularly. One of CFA Beechwood's biggest incentives to come back (besides a #3 combo) is their regular giveaways and freebies that only require you to visit the Beechwood location in order to redeem them.

Every few weeks, Chick-fil-a Beechwood will post a week worth of giveaways. For example, yesterday they posted their "Summer Send-Off" offers, which included a different offer for each day. Offers include BOGO milkshakes, BOGO chicken biscuits, and a free drink with the purchase of a breakfast meal. One of their most popular promotions is college night. Every Thursday, CFA Beechwood offers a free entrée or dessert with the purchase of a meal when you show your college ID. If you try to go to CFA on a Thursday night, the line will be out the door and there will inevitably be a wait to get a seat. For such a simple giveaway as a small dessert, CFA is able to draw a huge crowd every Thursday night and increase customer loyalty.

Another popular promotion is receipt night. For receipt night, if you bring your receipt back within a specified period of time, you can receive your same order from receipt night for free. This both increases customer loyalty and encourages customers to make a return visit, which will hopefully prompt another purchase and/or prompt more visits to CFA Beechwood. All of these promotions are posted on CFA Beechwood's Instagram account which is updated daily, and also features photos of their employees and menu items around meal times to put CFA in their followers' minds when they're thinking about where to eat.

On their Facebook page, CFA Beechwood posts all of their promotions featured on Instagram, and in addition, posts videos of their staff, new food truck, and posts contests where followers can win free CFA. They also allow customers to RSVP to their events such as college night and breakfast for dinner in order to promote the event and encourage people's friends to go to the events as well. On game day, CFA's Facebook page wishes everyone a happy game day with a picture of CFA food to remind customers to come into CFA before or after the game, or use their catering trays for tailgates. At the game, CFA updates customers on where the CFA food truck will be in relation to the game and where CFA will be sold once customers get into the game.

Chick-fil-a Beechwood is one of the best restaurants, and businesses in general, that I have ever been to. Their marketing team ensures that their followers on Instagram and Facebook are kept informed about their various promotions and offers to increase store traffic, and ultimately, revenue. CFA Beechwood has some of the most loyal customers I have ever seen, which is due to a perfect mix of efficiency, customer service, and social media interaction with their customers.

Commit to the IG

Glory glory to Ole Georgia's marketing team. Although marketing isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of UGA football, the team running their Instagram page thinks otherwise. From the first snap of the season to off season workouts to summer training camp, UGA football's Instagram page keeps fans updated year round about the happenings of their favorite football team.

The week leading up to the first game of the season against Appalachian State, UGA football's Instagram page posted hype videos of the football players to get fans excited for Saturday's big game. These videos featured footage from practice, as well as clips from previous seasons to give fans a glimpse of what to expect this season. The Instagram page also featured a countdown to kickoff, where every day they posted a clip of the player (past or present) whose number corresponded with the number of days until the first game in order to both showcase their players and to remind fans that the first game of the season was coming up. The day before game day, the times for the Dawg Walk, gates opening, and kickoff were posted to remind fans and encourage them to get to the game early to cheer on their team.

Throughout the game, UGA football posted a halftime score update and the final score of the game to keep fans who were not able to make it to the game informed. This makes followers and fans feel informed and a part of the game experience, even if they were not able to make it. At the same time, the posts do not bombard followers, since the Instagram page keeps it to two score updates per game. Also featured on game day were pictures and video highlights from the game, creating a shared bond of excitement and bulldawg pride among followers, even if they were not physically watching the game together.

On every day of the week besides Saturday, including the off season, UGA football posts videos of their practices, players lifting weights, and coach press conferences to keep followers updated on the team's progress. Also highlighted on the Instagram page are the captains for the week's game and other player accomplishments, such as student athlete of the week recipients and winners of coaches awards. By posting player accomplishments both on and off the football field, UGA football is reinforcing the idea that UGA student athletes are well rounded and very accomplished, which embodies the spirit of the University of Georgia.

UGA football's Instagram also posts updates on former players to both show pride in their alumni and to keep fans informed about some of their favorite players. For example, UGA football posted about Matthew Stafford, former UGA quarterback, last week to share that he had signed a contract for $135,000,000, making him the highest paid player in NFL history. They caption all posts of former UGA players that have gone pro with the hashtag "#DawgsInTheNFL" to further market the fact that by coming to UGA as a football player, you too can share in the success of fellow bulldawgs and play in the NFL.

With over 300,000 Instagram followers, the UGA football page reaches a large number of fans, students, alumni, and prospects. By keeping these followers informed, UGA football has the power to increase its fan base, and perhaps even draw more applicants to the University, by making its followers feel like they are a part of the UGA experience, even if they do not attend UGA. The posts also build a sense of pride and community among UGA fans, creating a stronger bond and fan base with every post.

Social Media: The Calm After the Storm

With hurricane Harvey and Irma both hitting within the same month, social media became more important than ever to keep people safe, updated, and to raise money for those affected. Before the hurricanes even hit, all forms of social media were blowing up in an effort to warn people of the severity of the natural disasters and to prepare accordingly. Weather channels used Facebook and Instagram to keep everyone updated on the path of the storms, while local governments and police departments posted to warn people about hazards, power outages, and if necessary, evacuations. In addition, companies such as Georgia Power updated customers on power outages and  when customers should expect their power to return. Social media was also able to ease people's minds by allowing those who were in the path of the hurricanes to check in with friends and family to ensure everyone of their safety.

Because the damage of these hurricanes was so severe, many schools, stores, and restaurants were forced to close to keep everyone safe. These businesses used social media to update students and customers of their closings or adjusted hours. UGA posted on its Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter page to inform students that school would be closed on Monday and Tuesday, in addition to an email sent to all students and faculty. Chick-fil-a announced on these same platforms that they would be closing early, and urged customers to visit early in the day to get food. Chicken Salad Chick offered customers with Florida IDs 50% off their meals, and promoted this offer on their various social media platforms to spread the word.

Perhaps one of the most beneficial applications of social media throughout these deadly hurricanes was the power to raise money for those affected. Every time a user opened Facebook, they were asked if they wanted to donate to hurricane relief funds. JJ Watt, defensive end for the Houston Texans, used his social media platform to raise over $31 million for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Social media and the internet themselves have significantly increased donations for natural disasters. Instead of having to mail in a check to the Red Cross or a similar organization, you can now simply text a number to donate $10, or link your credit card up to a site such as GoFundMe and donate within seconds.

Although these hurricanes were incredibly severe, the power of social media made it so that losses were not as severe as they could have been. By sharing information about the hurricanes and the dangers they imposed, people were able to prepare accordingly and lessen, if not avoid, some of these potential losses. Social media helped to share the stories of those who were not able to avoid losses, and made it quick and easy for people to donate to relief funds to help those who were affected.