Talking Tactics

Ep. 25: Build Relationships on Social and Double the Benchmark Engagement

Episode Summary

Picture a world where the standard social media engagement rates for educational institutions are 3.26% on Instagram, 1.36% on Facebook, and 0.51% on TikTok, as outlined in Hubspot’s December 2023 report. Now, imagine Duquesne University smashing these benchmarks with a remarkable 11% engagement rate, far surpassing what's typical for its size. This exceptional performance is thanks to Ian Hurley, Director of Social Media, who utilized a straightforward but effective tactic: listening and responding. By emphasizing relationship-building and redefining their voice, Duquesne University set a new standard for university engagement that carries relationships started online all the way to campus. Ian Hurley proves that just an hour a day can have significant community-building results.

Episode Notes

Picture a world where the standard social media engagement rates for educational institutions are 3.26% on Instagram, 1.36% on Facebook, and 0.51% on TikTok, as outlined in Hubspot’s December 2023 report. Now, imagine Duquesne University smashing these benchmarks with a remarkable 11% engagement rate, far surpassing what's typical for its size. This exceptional performance is thanks to Ian Hurley, Director of Social Media, who utilized a straightforward but effective tactic: listening and responding. By emphasizing relationship-building and redefining their voice, Duquesne University set a new standard for university engagement that carries relationships started online all the way to campus. Ian Hurley proves that just an hour a day can have significant community-building results. 

Guest Name: Ian Hurley

Guest Social Handles:  
https://twitter.com/ianphurley
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianhurley/

Guest Bio: Ian Hurley is the Director of Social Media at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa. He has over 20 years of experience in the marketing and communications field, working for Northeastern University, Save the Children, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières, the World Health Organization and CQ Roll Call, among others. He holds a B.A. from West Virginia University and an M.A. from American University.
At Duquesne, Ian works to align the social and brand strategy among campus partners and help to advance the Division of Marketing and Communications and University strategic goals.