Preguntas frecuentes
How often should we email alumni?
Monthly is typically right for most alumni associations. Send a mix of institutional news, alumni achievements, event announcements, and fundraising messages. Some associations send two emails a month during event season and one per month during quiet periods. Give alumni the option to receive quarterly updates if monthly feels like too much. Quality content keeps people subscribed.
What content keeps alumni engaged long-term?
Share stories of what alumni are accomplishing, highlight student achievements and campus news, announce reunions and networking opportunities, and celebrate giving. Alumni want to feel proud of their institution and connected to peers. Mix institution-focused content with peer-to-peer networking opportunities. Don't just ask for money. Build relationships first.
How do we get inactive alumni to engage again?
Send a special win-back email series. Reference their graduation year, highlight major campus changes since they graduated, and remind them of meaningful campus traditions. Invite them to a reunion or regional event. Share a compelling story about how alumni support is changing campus. If they still don't engage after 3-4 emails, move them to quarterly updates.
Should we segment by major or school?
Yes, if your institution is large enough. Engineering alumni care about different news than business school graduates. Send targeted emails highlighting major-specific career opportunities, alumni accomplishments, and scholarships. This dramatically improves engagement because alumni see content relevant to their field.
How do we celebrate class anniversaries?
Send special milestone emails for reunion years (5, 10, 25, 50 years). Highlight what the class accomplished while in school, what's changed on campus since they graduated, and invite them to the reunion. Follow up with logistics, activities, and reasons to attend. Reunion years are your biggest engagement and fundraising opportunity from each class.
What's the best way to ask alumni for donations?
Lead with impact. Explain what recent gifts have accomplished on campus. Then share specific ways donations help students through scholarships, facilities, or programs alumni care about. Give giving options at different levels with specific purposes. Thank recent donors by name. Follow donation patterns and ask major donors for larger gifts. Most alumni give because they believe in the mission, not because they're pestered.