Blogs are not a fancy new thing. Financial Aid Associations
have had newsletters since their beginnings. The Wisconsin Association’s first
1966 meeting notes discuss the creation of a newsletter. At that time it was delivered
on paper; now it can be delivered electronically. A blog is a new tool for
delivering a newsletter and so much more.
There are advantages to using a blog over a paper or pdf
newsletter. Each article adds its own value as a separate blog post. Articles can be spread
out as shorter weekly posts rather than a long newsletter monthly or
quarterly. It may be easier for association members to find time to read one
short post a week rather than a long newsletter monthly.
A blog is timely - it allows a more immediate response to be
possible when new information needs to be shared. It also allows flexibility
for experimenting with what to share with members. In addition blogs have the capability of real-time metrics to determine the popularity of certain content.
A blog allows interaction - members can comment on the blog
and keep the conversation going.
A blog reaches new members –members are increasingly using
social media to connect with others. It isn’t just the tech savvy or millenials
using social media anymore. Today’s professionals have come to expect immediate
and real time communication.
Wisconsin’s blog debuted in 2012 with an updated website.
The blog is used to create connections among members, share information about
association activities, and provide professional development resources. In
order to keep track of what is being shared we use categories of blog posts. Keeping
track by category allows us to present a variety of content.
Categories are always evolving, but some examples include:
- Updates from the President
- Committee Updates
- We Are WASFAA – Interviews with WASFAA members (See
next week’s blog post for more on this topic.)
- Meet ED – Interviews with Department of
Education Trainers
- Tech Tips – Tips for using technology both in
and outside of the workplace.
- Pro Dev Tips – Professional Development Tips
such as getting the most out of conferences, how to present an interest session
for the first time, and how to create enticing slide decks.
Coordinating a blog can be an intimidating undertaking, but
it doesn’t have to be. We use a spreadsheet on
Google Drive that several administrators
can access. It lists the date to post,
the category, topic, author, team member coordinating the post, and the status.
We also have a column that lists major events such as holidays and conferences
to assist with planning. In my term as president this year I oversaw the
creation of a new position in the association, Web Content Manager. This is in
addition to the Web Editor position. The Content Management person is the
primary contact person for coordinating the blog posts while the Editor has
become the person managing the technical aspects of the website. Dividing up the content and the technical
aspects of the website and blog has made it possible to best utilize the
strengths of the people filling those roles.
The association blog has fostered new sense of communication
and community in the Wisconsin association and a blog can enhance communication
in your association too. Listed below are several blogs to take a look at as
examples of what can be done with a financial aid association blog.
Regional Student
Financial Aid Association Blogs
State Student
Financial Aid Association Blogs
Did we miss one?
Please add it to the comments below!
Part two of
this series coming next week – Tips for Writing a Blog Post
