As academic years draw to a close in many parts of the world, the excitement of graduation is palpable. 

But for those managing alumni platforms, it's also a crucial time to ensure that soon-to-be alumni stay connected with your institution. 

Getting students signed up to your online platform before they leave is becoming increasingly important, so here are four effective strategies to help you do just that.

Make it enticing

To make sure your platform is appealing and top-of-mind for students, consider hosting (or joining) a networking event where you can take the opportunity to highlight the benefits of joining your alumni community. 

Here are some of the features you could showcase:

• Access to an alumni-exclusive jobs board: Highlight how the jobs board works, and offer a sneak peek into some of the opportunities available to alumni.
• Ongoing networking and connection: Showcase how your online platform is one of the best ways for alumni to connect with each other and build long lasting relationships.
• Mentoring programs: Explain to the students the guidance and networking opportunities they could receive by joining an alumni mentoring program.
• Clubs and societies: Give examples of how alumni can stay connected through various interest and location-based clubs.
• Exclusive comms: Talk about how you work to keep alumni informed and engaged through newsletters and other updates.

Encourage students to sign up during these sessions using their personal email addresses to ensure that they’ll continue receiving communications after graduation.

Make it easy

To have the best chance of encouraging students onto your platform it’s crucial to make the process simple and convenient.

Here are a few ways to simplify your sign-up process to encourage maximum participation:

• Meet students where they are: Create a QR code that directs students directly to a sign-up page, and then put it in places where they’ll be - including events!
• Mobile-friendly platform: Test it out to make sure your sign-up page works well on mobile devices. 
• Seamless registration process: Use a straightforward sign-up form that requires students to enter a minimal amount of information - you can always collect more info later!
• In-person assistance: Provide support during events where students can get help (and encouragement!) to sign up on the spot.

By giving the students’ journey a little bit of thought you’ll be able to remove any potential barriers to entry and will increase the likelihood of more signups.

Make it exclusive

Everyone loves to be part of something exclusive. Create a sense of exclusivity by offering content and resources that are only accessible to members of your online community. 

This could include:

• Dedicated clubs: Establish special clubs or groups on the platform that are exclusively for the graduating class to keep in touch.
• Locked-down content: Develop a private image gallery, news articles, or resources that can only be accessed by signing in to the platform - sharing photos after an event is a guaranteed way to entice alumni to login - everyone loves checking photos of themselves - and friends!
• Exclusive events: Host virtual events or webinars that are only available to platform members to register for.

By providing valuable and unique content, you’re creating a compelling reason for students to join your platform.

Make it rewarding

Incentives can significantly boost sign-ups. Offer tangible rewards to encourage participation. 

Here are some ideas:

• First come, first served rewards: Offer an exclusive gift to the first students to sign up. This could be a physical mascot or prized item, or something with sentimental or professional value - like a signed copy of a book, some personalized artwork from your institution, or a careers advice session with a successful leader in your community.
• Achievement challenges: Challenge the graduating class to achieve a 100% sign-up rate, with a reward if they succeed.
• Competitions and giveaways: Enter students into a prize draw for logging into their profile and updating their details.

These rewards provide immediate value and recognition, motivating students to engage with the platform.

Engaging with new alumni and getting them signed up to your online platform is essential for maintaining a strong and connected community. 

By making your platform enticing, easy to join, exclusive, and rewarding, you’ll create a community that students truly want to be part of. 

Interested in learning more about how ToucanTech can elevate your alumni community? Reach out to our expert team for a demo.