Stephanie Hatch Leishman
Former MIT Social Media Strategist
Gamification and Social Rewarding
August 2, 2012
'Guess where?' series: Do you know where on MIT campus this detail can be found? #MIT Gamification, or game mechanics, involves the use of a game mindset and can be applied to social media strategy. This can mean actually using games, such as "MIT: The Game" on the MIT Admissions Facebook page, but also involves...
Read the PostTake Some Tips from the MIT Application Process
July 25, 2012
There is a lot of helpful advice on the MIT admissions site about the application process. What MIT is looking for in the essays is founded on principles that can be applied to great social media content. 1. Instead of one long essay, the MIT application asks for short responses and essays. You'll find that social...
Read the PostOlder Adults and Social Media
July 17, 2012
The Pew Internet & American Life Project published the report "Older Adults and Social Media" after interviewing 2,254 adults. According to the research, as of April 2012, 53% of American adults ages 65 and older use the internet or email as of February 2012, one third (34%) of internet users 65 and older use...
Read the PostPhotography and Social Media: Quality is Important
July 9, 2012
Social media isn't just text-based anymore. Audio and visual content are a significant part of the social networking experience. Platforms such as Instagram and Flickr are increasingly popular. Therefore, posting visual content can be powerful and beneficial for your department if it is done well. Social media...
Read the PostWant more engagement? Dig deeper!
July 6, 2012
It is important to set some objectives for your social media efforts. One buzzword frequently heard is 'engagement' – more likes, more comments, more submissions, more LOLs, more activity in general. However, don't stop at the buzzword with your social media strategy. Dig deeper. What kind of engagement - or engagers...
Read the PostAvoid Getting Overwhelmed: Make Social Media Work For You
June 27, 2012
I find that there's an interesting divide in mindsets when it comes to social media as tools. Which camp do you fall in? Do you just use social media haphazardly, or are you making these tools work for you in some way? Is social media: a necessary evil that provides little benefit, an unnecessary evil, or a vital...
Read the PostTweeter's Block
June 19, 2012
You're posting for your department and you can't think of anything interesting to tweet. In essence, you have Tweeter's block. Remember, your department is bustling with activity - this is MIT! Inventions, research, hacks, socials, conversations, innovations, awards, news. There is a lot going on. Your audience is...
Read the PostMIT Commencement: Photos
June 11, 2012
For a little fun for this year's Commencement, we had a photo contest among MIT staff. Whoever posted the best photos won a free MIT T-shirt. Two anonymous judges selected the photos (I was not a judge). This year's winners are: Dave Tashjian, Sloan Nancy Duvergne Smith, Alumni AssociationStephanie Muto, School of...
Read the PostLinkedIn Groups: Should Mine Be Closed or Open?
May 31, 2012
When you join a group on LinkedIn, you will notice that you have the option to display the logo for that group on your LinkedIn profile. This public display of groups differs from Facebook, which displays your groups just for you on your home page and all likes under one tab on the profile. LinkedIn, however, displays...
Read the PostAsk Questions
May 24, 2012
Content isn't just about broadcasting news and information about your department. If so, it's not social media. It's just media (see Does Your Department Take the 'Social' Out of Social Media?). There are other types of content out there and one of these types is the asking of questions. Questions are an important...
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