About the Episode
Join host, Callie Goodwin, in her premier episode as she talks with fellow Columbia, South Carolina social media manager, CJ Tamasco from the University of South Carolina. This episode is a friendly chat between 2 friends talking about the highs, lows, and confessions of working in higher education.
What’s It Like to Be a Higher Ed Social Media Manager?
Callie and CJ dive into the intricacies of managing the University of South Carolina's social media presence. CJ shares how working for his alma mater has deepened his passion for the job but also created unique challenges, such as balancing personal ties with professional responsibilities. From managing a growing team to handling critical moments like rebrands or campus crises, CJ emphasizes the importance of adaptability and staying grounded.
How Do Social Media Managers Handle Burnout?
Burnout is a common theme in higher ed social media management. CJ and Callie discuss the pressures of being “always on” and navigating high-stakes situations, like major institutional changes or viral content gone wrong. To mitigate this, CJ has implemented “text hours” to delineate work-life boundaries and encourages his team to adopt tools like Microsoft Teams’ Loop Component for more efficient brainstorming and project tracking.
What Does It Take to Go Viral?
CJ recounts some of USC’s most viral moments, including a cheeky tweet that followed a basketball upset: a simple “Oops” that resonated far and wide. The lesson? Authentic, in-the-moment content often outperforms meticulously planned posts. Whether it’s celebrating campus quirks like “Roger the Squirrel” or creating relatable content like POV reels, CJ underscores that relatability is key to engagement.
How Can Higher Ed Social Teams Work Smarter?
From leveraging benchmarking tools like Dun Road to embracing collaborative platforms like Teams, CJ offers a range of hacks for higher ed social teams. He also stresses the importance of making connections with other social media professionals—whether it’s for commiserating during a hurricane or brainstorming fresh ideas.
The Importance of Storytelling in Social Media
Storytelling is the heart of higher ed social media. CJ discusses how trends like POV videos allow universities to highlight the everyday experiences of students while fostering nostalgia among alumni. These connections not only boost engagement but also build long-term loyalty to the institution.
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About the Enrollify Podcast Network
The Enrollify Podcast is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional.
Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Jaime Hunt, Allison Turcio, Corynn Myers, Dustin Ramsdell, Terry Flannery, Jaime Gleason and many more.
Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!
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