Posted September 12, 2012 by Kate Strotmeyer 

Three Reasons to Instagram

I had been looking for a photo sharing solution for uvm.edu/bored. The student team was eager to take some pictures, but we didn't have a great way to share them. Enter Instagram*. Here's three reasons why I'd recommend adding it to your marketing mix:

  1. Photos look good. Instagram has many filters that brighten photos, add contrast, tones, etc. This doesn't let you off the hook from taking a great photo (check out these tips on photo composition). If you're new to Instagram, Mashable breaks down the enhancements and the logistics of getting started in their "The Beginner's Guide to Instagram." It's also quick, easy, and spontaneous to use. Capturing content in the moment and instantly sharing it—a perfect social media platform. You can check out our bored instagram photos on our Facebook page or on statigram.
  2. Share photos easily. We set up one uvmbored account. Under "Share Settings" on the account page, you can link Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, email, Fickr, and Foursquare. Also, a new and exciting development, through a third-party site, you can embed instagram photos on your website. Check out www.emedagram.com, snapwidget, and webstagram. We have our stream on our homepage.
  3. Connect with students. Search hashtags to see what students are posting. You may even find photos from your events. Or start your own hashtag to encourage submissions. We're also exploring pinstagram, which is a mashup on Instagram and Pinterest (you can check out the bored team's board at: http://pinterest.com/uvmbored/). Since launching last week, we have posted 35 photos and have 40 followers. By correctly using hashtags, you can interact with students in new ways.

Instagram is free, intuitive and fun. Are you an instagram user already? Share your stream in the comments below.

* Disclaimer: Instagram is not web-based, rather it is an app for a smartphone. Not all of my students own a smartphone, which raises some important questions about access and technology. I would be hesitant to solely rely on Instagram for all of your photos, but I do believe it's a valuable and perhaps underutilized tool for marketing in higher ed.

Filed Under: Technology Application and Administration, Technology/Resources

Kate Strotmeyer

Kate Strotmeyer is the Assistant Director for Marketing at University of Vermont.

At the University of Vermont’s Dudley H. Davis Center, Kate prides herself on being a marketing maven of college trends, campus ethos auditor, new-idea generator, and process-keeper for her colleagues. Involved in ACUI since 2005, Kate has presented on social media, branding, mission-based marketing, and programming. She was the recipient of the 2010 Donnchadh O’hAdodah scholarship for the ACUI-AMSU Cultural Exchange and 2010 ACUI Affirmative Action Scholarship.

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Comments

Well said, Kate! We've been using Instagram in our Campus Center this semester and have a statigram link to our homepage (http://www.bridgew.edu/CampusCenter/) for all photos tagged #bsulife as a way to engage students and showcase what's happening on/around campus.
Beth Goad
bgoad@bridgew.edu
Comment posted 09/13/2012 8:08 AM
Great post!! Some people in my office already use Instagram but I'm still learning about it. Thanks for this lesson and for the sites I can check out. Sarah
Sarah-Ann Harnick
sharnick@njcu.edu
Comment posted 09/13/2012 9:48 AM
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