Three ways to boost engagement with your alumni magazine

Anyone who has produced an alumni magazine knows the huge effort required to make it happen. It can be a little disheartening to know that large swathes of the ‘readership’ give it no more than a cursory glance.

So maybe it’s time to broaden your magazine’s appeal and improve your ROE (return on effort) with some new content that pulls people in.

1. Have some fun with ‘Alumni confessionals’

Collect (anonymous where necessary!) real-life confessions from alumni. The ‘got-away with it’, the near-miss, the ‘landed me in a whole heap of trouble’, the sliding-doors moment – who knows what secrets will surface. Risqué equals ‘must read’ but how far you’re prepared to go will be down to your editorial judgment!

2. Inspire with ‘Side hustle showcase’

Feature short articles of alumni with unique side businesses and creative passion-projects. Ask contributors for no more than a paragraph of copy as most will happily wax-lyrical. And photos are a must.

3. Bring people together with ‘Get connected’

A column of lonely hearts-style adverts for alumni looking to connect with people in their industry. Whether in search of new opportunities or offering mentoring to younger peers, this is a way that you can provide a valuable service to alumni.

The bottom line

Refreshing your alumni magazine with unexpected, engaging content can make all the difference in capturing your audience’s attention. A little creativity goes a long way—so why not give your readers something to really talk about?