Recruitment | News

TargetX Tool Enables Colleges To Track Social Chatter For Recruitment

• By Kanoe Namahoe
• 09/27/11

College and university admissions offices can now track social media conversations and use this chatter as a means for recruiting and building relationships with students, thanks to a new customer relationship management (CRM) tool from TargetX. The Conshohocken, PA-based student recruitment firm has integrated Facebook and Twitter into its Student Recruitment Manager (SRM) as a way for institutions to get a better, more authentic picture of their prospects.

"This is a chance for schools to bring all that social stuff into their CRM strategy," said TargetX CEO Brian Niles, in a prepared statement. "You can now get a complete picture of your prospects, including what they're saying and thinking about you on Facebook and Twitter."

Niles advises institutions to pay attention to what students are posting on social media sites. "What students say on social networks offers the most complete and authentic picture of their interests, concerns, goals--perhaps even the likelihood that they will or won't enroll in your school," he explains.

In addition to monitoring social media networks, the SRM enables institutions to connect resources with individuals. Information collected from the interactions is integrated with the school’s CRM database. Admissions officers can follow online conversations in real time, respond to feedback and requests, and address student concerns.

Additional features of the SRM, built on the cloud-based Force.com platform from Salesforce.com, include email broadcasting, online chat functionality, and an event management tool.

More information is available at targetx.com.