November 17, 2014
Monday Marketing Minute: Instant images
Submitted by Jeff Morris, vice president communications and marketing
In addition to becoming more instantaneous in our communications habits, our society continues to be more visually oriented. One of the more popular social media programs with our students is Instagram, which reflects both of these trends.
Consider these facts:
- The university's Instagram account, @KansasStateUniversity, has quadrupled in less than six months to 7,800 followers and continues to grow daily.
- Students are highly engaged by submitting their photos of campus using the K-State Instagram signature hashtag #CaptureKState, which averages more than 500 likes per photo and receives several reposts and comments.
- Our Instagram audience is mostly current students, prospective students and young alumni.
Last summer, we conducted a successful Instagram photo challenge, #KStateWOWpix, involving students during the Week of Welcome. We asked students to take photos corresponding with a Week of Welcome event and post them on Instagram. President Kirk Schulz supported the challenge by asking students to take a "Wildcat Selfie" during student convocation.
We continue to see growth in this platform, even as Facebook and Twitter become more mature. Social media is an important part of today's marketing mix, and we invite you to check out K-State’s rapidly-expanding Instagram presence.