Update on CCU's social media

With the 2014-15 academic year now over a month old, one thing is clear: the Coastal Carolina community is passionate about social media. This couldn’t be more evident than with the student body. Highlighted by the especially socially engaged class of 2018, students are turning to Coastal social media outlets more than ever.

Part of the reason for this might be because the students are seeing themselves on the CCU social sites each day. So far, 24 students have earned recognition via the #CCUfamily feature. Each day of the semester, a different CCU student is featured across prominent Coastal social media channels as well as on a specially designed website. While the campaign has delighted the students, it has probably won even more points from proud parents.

Over the past several weeks, a few happenings on campus brought more traffic than usual to Coastal social media sites. They included the Darius Rucker concert, the debut of the Starbucks Mobile Truck on campus and the opening of the Chick-fil-A in CINO Grille. The number of “likes,” comments, shares, retweets, etc., skyrocketed when content associated with these events hit the social channels of Coastal Carolina.

However, there is one recurring event that tops them all in terms of popularity on #CCUSocialMedia: football games!
With the 6-0 Chanticleers off to a hot start, pride and excitement is rampant on social media on these autumn Saturdays. Need your fix, too? Make sure to follow the official social media channels of both the University and Chanticleer Athletics for comprehensive and engaging coverage of the 2014 Chant football season.

While social media is on the rise at Coastal Carolina University, it definitely has a long way to go. Any and all input on how the social media program can be improved is very much welcome. Please contact social media and online marketing coordinator Brent Reser to offer any suggestions you may have. Your assistance and participation is crucial to the success of #CCUSocialMedia.

In closing, one final note: Did you know students enjoy it when they see professors and other staff members they know submitting content and answering questions on the Coastal social media sites? They do! Don’t be shy to sound off. It is one more way to connect with your students.

Brent Reser is coordinator of social media. Contact him at breser@coastal.edu.