GLOSSARY

SECTION 5

OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT (AKA MARKETING) TERMS DEFINED

Here, you’ll find simplified definitions of key outreach and engagement terms related to our programs and marketing initiatives. Understanding these terms is essential for effective communication, strategy development, and implementation of outreach and brand awareness activities.

Whether you’re exploring concepts like lead generation, social media outreach, or referral strategies, this glossary provides concise explanations to help you spread the word about AYA with clarity and confidence.

Use this resource to enhance your knowledge, promote our mission, engage our community, and achieve our goals effectively.

Let’s dive in and empower ourselves with the language of marketing!

Cell phone with social media apps on the screen.

SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

Purpose: Facebook is a versatile platform used for connecting with friends, family, and businesses. It’s great for building communities, sharing content, and running targeted ads.

Audience: Wide range of demographics, particularly adults aged 25-55.

Optimal Usage:

  • Use relevant hashtags sparingly in posts to increase visibility (1-2 hashtags per post).
  • Incorporate your personal social sharing link in posts or comments to encourage referrals.
  • Post engaging content such as videos, images, and articles.Respond promptly to comments and messages.
  • Utilize Facebook Insights to analyze performance and optimize content.

Purpose: Facebook Groups are focused communities where members share interests, experiences, and information.

Audience: Members with specific interests, hobbies, or goals.

Optimal Usage:

  • Use relevant hashtags within group posts for topic categorization.
  • Incorporate your personal social sharing link when recommending resources or opportunities.
  • Participate actively by sharing valuable content and engaging with members.
  • Establish authority by providing expert advice and answering questions.
  • Avoid spamming and self-promotion; prioritize building relationships.
  • Follow all guidelines and procedures required by the group administrator

Purpose: Instagram is a visual platform for sharing photos and videos, often used for lifestyle, fashion, travel, and creative content.

Audience: Primarily younger demographics, especially millennials and Gen Z.

Optimal Usage:

  • Utilize hashtags strategically (around 8-12 relevant hashtags per post) to reach a broader audience.
  • Include your personal social sharing link in your bio to encourage referrals.
  • Focus on high-quality, visually appealing content.Use Instagram Stories, Reels, and IGTV for engaging and interactive content.
  • Collaborate with influencers and partners to expand reach.

Purpose: LinkedIn is a professional networking platform for business, career development, and industry insights.

Audience: Professionals, businesses, job seekers, independent contractors, and recruiters.

Optimal Usage:

  • Use hashtags to categorize posts and increase visibility (2-5 relevant hashtags per post).
  • Include your personal social sharing link in posts related to referrals or networking opportunities.
  • Share industry news, thought-leadership articles, and job opportunities.
  • Engage in meaningful discussions and connect with industry peers.
  • Optimize your profile with professional information and a professional photo.

Purpose: Twitter is a microblogging platform for real-time updates, news, and conversations.

Audience: Diverse audience with a mix of demographics, including journalists, influencers, and consumers.

Optimal Usage:

  • Use trending hashtags and popular topics to join relevant conversations (1-2 hashtags per tweet).
  • Include your personal social sharing link in tweets encouraging referrals or sharing valuable resources.
  • Keep tweets concise and engaging (280-character limit).
  • Retweet and engage with other users to build relationships.
  • Use Twitter Ads for targeted campaigns and promotions.

Purpose: YouTube is a video-sharing platform for entertainment, education, and tutorials.

Audience: Broad audience interested in various topics, especially younger demographics.

Optimal Usage:

  • Utilize hashtags in video titles, descriptions, and comments to improve discoverability (2-3 relevant hashtags per video).
  • Include your personal social sharing link in video descriptions or comments to encourage referrals.
  • Create high-quality video content that adds value or entertains.
  • Optimize video titles, descriptions, and tags for SEO.
  • Collaborate with other YouTubers or influencers for cross-promotion.
  • Consistency: Maintain a regular posting schedule.
  • Visual Appeal: Use high-quality images, videos, and graphics.
  • Engagement: Respond promptly to comments and messages.
  • Analytics: Use platform analytics to track performance and optimize strategies.
  • Videos: Video content continues to be popular, with 44% of people preferring to learn about new products through short video content, and 87% of marketers reporting increased engagement/conversions from video marketing.
  • Community Building: Foster genuine relationships and connections with your audience.
  • Tailor your use of hashtags and personal social sharing links based on each platform’s specific guidelines and audience behavior to maximize engagement and achieve your marketing objectives effectively.

Outreach and Engagement Terms

These definitions provide a foundational understanding of key concepts and how they relate to promoting initiatives like hosting exchange students through AYA’s program, including the use of host family sharing links and digital marketing strategies.

Host Family Sharing Link

A unique link provided to host families that they can share with others to refer potential new host families. When someone uses this link and becomes a host family, the referrer may earn rewards.

LC Sharing Link

A unique link provided to leads that takes them directly to AYA’s lead registration form and is linked to the LC’s portal. Using this link helps ensure that Local Coordinators receive credit for every host family they recruit for their outreach efforts. Include your social sharing link in your email signature, social media posts, texts, and anywhere else prospective families might see it!

QR Code

A Quick Response (QR) code is a type of barcode that can be scanned with a smartphone camera to access information, such as a website link or promotional content. It can be used for convenient access to a host family sharing link. Print it and display at events for quick connections.

Lead

A lead is a potential customer or individual who has shown interest in a product, service, or opportunity, such as hosting an exchange student.

Qualified Lead

A qualified lead is one determined to have a higher likelihood of becoming a customer based on specific criteria, such as engaging with content.

Prospect

A prospect is a potential customer or individual who fits the profile of your target audience and may be interested in your offering. (For our purposes leads and prospects are one and the same).

Word of Mouth Promoting/Marketing

Word of Mouth marketing refers to the organic spread of information or recommendations about a product, service, or organization from person to person. This can include sharing a host family sharing link with friends and family.

eMarketing

eMarketing, or electronic marketing, encompasses all forms of marketing that utilize digital technologies, such as email marketing, social media marketing, and online advertising.

Social Media Marketing

Social Media Marketing involves using social media platforms to promote products, services, or initiatives. This can include sharing host family sharing links on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X.

Lead Nurturing

Lead nurturing is the process of building relationships with potential customers (leads) through various marketing tactics, such as personalized communication and targeted content, to guide them through the onboarding process.

Lead Conversion

Lead conversion refers to the process of turning qualified leads into host families or participants, such as converting a referred lead into a new host family through a host family sharing link.

Engagement

Engagement refers to interactions and interactions with your audience, such as likes, comments, shares, and clicks on content. It measures the level of involvement and interest of your audience.

Outreach

Outreach refers to proactive efforts to reach and connect with potential customers or participants, such as reaching out to leads via email, phone, or social media.