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Five Years of Auburn Family :: The Most Popular Posts Along the Way - The Top 40
Auburn Family sprang to life after a lunch meeting between Deedie Dowdle, Mike Clardy and Robert French at Bizilia's Cafe in the summer of 2009. The Office of Communication & Marketing desired a social presence in the emerging field of public relations and marketing. Auburn Family's purpose was, and is, to tell the Auburn story from the student point of view. We agreed to make the style more conversational in the spirit of the then rising form of social media.This post is a simple chronicle of our history. Don't want the history? Go straight to the links.Our style is informal and conversational, for the most part. AP Style is great, and we do pay attention to it ... sort of. This site seeks to be more social in its personality. The language and style of our posts reflect that goal. Over this five year run, my best estimate is that approximately 400 students have taken part in our project and written for Auburn Family. On average, they have written about seven articles each per semester (some classes, like Into to PR, write only half of the ten stories that Style & Design students write).The authors come from the public relations program within the School of Communication and Journalism. Students in the Style & Design classes have each been writing between five and ten stories each semester ever since we launched. Auburn Family will soon cross the 3,000 post benchmark.Our BeginningsThe first content posted to Auburn Family was contributed by Patricia DeBow on September 2, 2009. Patricia went on to graduate with a degree in public relations and spanish. Recently, Patricia returned to Auburn. She's now studying to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.Just think of Patricia as the face (and story) that launched Auburn Family. She's pictured to the right at the open house for Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Since those early days, the students have experimented with different writing styles and creation of multimedia to compliment their stories. These exercises fit well with an academic program that places such great emphasis upon writing and creativity. That's especially true in this new media world of citizen social media content creation.Five Year AnniversaryAs we approach our five year anniversary, an exploration of the site's history seems appropriate.Top Stories and Interesting FactsThe following list brings you the top popular posts (most views) on Auburn Family since 2009.Top stories: While Alex Kistler holds the record for the most viral story, Collier Tynes is the only student to have their work show up in the Top 10 twice. Collier has also graduated and moved on to great new adventures and success. Collier is now the Initiatives Coordinator for the First Lady of Alabama in the Office of Governor Robert Bentley.Some interesting facts about the site. To-date, 53% of the website's traffic comes from personal computers surfing the web. The remaining 47% of traffic comes from smartphones, tablets and other devices. However, of late we have noticed a significant increase in mobile traffic and it will likely take over and dominate access of the website.How people visit our site. You'll notice below that we've shared the links to both the web and mobile versions of the story. It has been interesting for us to notice which stories perform best via web or mobile. The posts that gain traction and are shared in social networks send our site much more mobile traffic than other stories.Our site's readership is primarily from the United States (95%). The top five states visiting Auburn Family are: Alabama (<45%), Georgia (+11%), Florida (+6%); Texas (+4%) and California (+4%). The site is visited by every state in the union each year. Aside from the obvious links in from Facebook and Twitter, Auburn Family also receives a lot of links from Pinterest, reddit and LinkedIn along with blogs hosted at Wordpress, tumblr and blogspot. We, of course, like it when people are writing about us.Content that succeeds. Stories are easily the most popular content on Auburn Family. Video and photos are popular, but their traffic is not even close to the traffic going directly to our student stories about campus life. Recently we began experimenting with Buzzfeed style articles and they've produced some significant boosts to traffic. However, we continually debate the value of these posts as they don't deliver the depth of content we find in a feature article, for instance.Auburn Family's PurposeFrom our About page: "The site seeks to inform and connect students, alumni and Auburn fans through campus life stories and videos from the loveliest village on the plains, mostly produced by students."Quality and diversity of stories matters more than numbers. In some of the top posts, I'll share the view counts. However, don't think we focus on that more than to have a little fun and excitement. Every student wants to have an audience for their work. For the University's purposes, we want to tell the stories in a fun and compelling manner. From an academic point of view, our primary purpose it to learn how to tell stories using various writing styles.Our target audiences are rather niche. If we can reach them directly, or via social network sharing, or through organic search (by seeking to place well in Google, Bing, Yahoo! et.al.) the site will have achieved its goal and objectives for our client - Auburn University. (See our audience tracking exercise below.) Certainly, there are other aspects of our mission goal and objectives - telling good/true stories, creative writing, enhancing the Auburn brand, and more - but the ability reach to our audience is important.Simply put, the site serves to inform and entertain while also providing experiential learning for our students.For example, the list below actually comes from another set of class exercises beyond writing and multimedia creation. We track the site's performance and learn Google Analytics and Google Webmaster Tools along the way. After all, once a student graduate's they will need to demonstrate to employers that they (a) can produce great content and (b) show how the content performs with their audience.A little sideline information. You know those terms like "brand journalism" and "content marketing" that are being tossed around today? Well, Auburn University started doing it - and Auburn students started getting real-world experience doing it -- before it was cool. (Google Trends: brand journalism and content marketing)Now, to the list ... The hits keep on coming. Here is our Top 40 list of most popular pages.#1 Have a Question? Call Foy (344)-844-4244 (2011 - Web) by Alex Kistler (photo on right) Have a Question? Call Foy (344)-844-4244 (2011 - Mobile)The champion (so far, at least) this post from Alex Kistler has garnered more than 83K views ... and growing every day. Alex, by the way, has gone on to even more creative work - now with Telegraph Branding in Birmingham. The Foy Desk feature story is what we refer to as "evergreen" content. It is a timeless story that any Auburn alum will relate to, as well as the curiosity of those that aren't familiar with Auburn. The Foy Information Desk has been covered by the NBC Today Show and recently spawned a viral post in the popular social media site reddit. It is a unique phenomena of Auburn campus life. Got a question? Ask them. They'll find the answer.#2 Ten Ways You Can Tell Someone Went to Auburn University (2014 - Mobile) by Caleigh Lentz (photo on right) Ten Ways You Can Tell Someone Went to Auburn University (this is the direct link from Facebook)Simple and sweet. This is our highest performing viral Buzzfeed-style post. A list - or in social media lingo - a listicle. With 45K views and counting, this one is also an evergreen post. We'll see this one grow over time. A sample: "#10. You know someone went to Auburn when the only 'Momma’s Love' comes from Momma Goldberg’s Deli."#3 10 Things That Change From Your Freshman to Senior Year (2013 - Mobile) by Allie Heckel (photo on right) 10 things that change from your freshman to senior year (2013 - Web)More evergreen content. This was our first viral Buzzfeed-style post. It caused quite a stir in classes and confirmed what we already knew. Allie Heckel is quite creative. This post has 25K views and like the others ... it is still growing. A sample: #7: Football Games.Freshman Year - Get there two hours before the game starts and pray to the football gods you can find a seat. Senior Year - Show up at kickoff. Can't find a seat. Go out to the Green Space. Make friends with some alumni. Eat leftovers from their Chick-fil-A nugget tray. Watch the game on their TV. Network a little. Send them an email the next day with your résumé attached."#4 Auburn dating truths (2013 - Mobile) by Collier Tynes (photo on right)Auburn Dating Truths (2013 - Web)A story that most everyone can relate to ... college romance. "It’s no secret that Auburn breeds relationships and even marriages more than any other SEC school. Though I am not sure whether our students date significantly more or if students at other universities simply don’t date, I do know there are humorous truths to the Auburn-dating scene."#5 10 Things You'll Miss About Auburn (2014 - Mobile) by Shannon Walton (photo on right) 10 Things You'll Miss About Auburn (2014 - Web)Yes, another evergreen listicle. Lists are among our best performing articles. "Let’s have a collective moment of honesty here. Whether you’re an Auburn student, alumni, fan or resident, you’ve had that moment: 'Man I just MISS Auburn.'" Living the frugal life ... "No matter where you look on campus, someone is handing out free food, free merchandise or free advice. Combine that with the walkability of Auburn’s campus, and you’ve got too much free stuff to handle. You don’t see your CEO passing out free pizza every day at your big-boy job."#6 A New way to play dirty Santa. (2011 - Web) by Jordan Holladay (photo on right) A New Way to Play Dirty Santa (2011 - Mobile) - by Jordan Holladay First of all, given the title, this is not likely the story you think it is.In fact, it is a very interesting take on holiday traditions by students and their families. One semester, we chose to have students write about their holiday traditions before the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. This is Jordan Holladay's family story. It's quite sweet and very creative."When most people play the game, Dirty Santa, it involves each person bringing a gift, drawing a number and trying to steal the gift they want. The Holladay household in Opelika, Ala., however, has always played Dirty Santa a little different."#7 The Beginning of "War Eagle" (2011 - Mobile) by Danielle Nicole Albert (photo on right) The Beginning of "War Eagle" (2011- Web) and The Beginning of "War Eagle" VideoSolid Auburn history. Again, it is evergreen. Danielle hit upon one of the most often used search phrases that drives traffic to Auburn Family and other Auburn University websites. Inquiring people want to know - what is "War Eagle"? "The mystery surrounding the origin of Auburn University’s battle cry, 'War Eagle,' abounds more each year as increasingly more fans proclaim they know the accurate 'War Eagle' story."#8 Morgan Jackson on the unveiling of her father Bo Jackson's statue (2012 - Web) - by Sloane Hudson (photo on right) Morgan Jackson Discusses Father, Bo Jackson's Statue Unveiling (Mobile)This story was created by Sloane Hudson just prior to the unveiling of statues honoring Auburn's three Heisman trophy winners - as well as the bust of former Auburn football coach John Heisman - on the east side of Jordan-Hare Stadium. Bo knows Auburn ... and Auburn loves Bo ... and Morgan, too.“The statue isn’t just remembering his athletic abilities, but also what he’s done for Auburn, the University of Alabama and the state of Alabama as a whole,” Morgan said. Morgan is referring to Bo’s organizations, the Give Me A Chance Foundation and Bo Bikes Bama.#9 Video: A sophomore guy teaching yoga (2010 - Web) by Kaitlyn Parsons (photo on right)This post experiencedthousands of new visitors when Bear Townsend passed away in 2014. He was a very popular student and his sudden death stunned the student body. Searches for his name brought up this video for many and that explains its high ranking. (One note. Our videos don't perform well on mobile platforms. That's why you don't see a mobile link provided here. Next year, our platform will be upgraded and mobile video will finally work.)#10 Molly Anne Dutton is Auburn's Miss Homecoming (2013 - Web) & Molly Anne Dutton :: Auburn's Miss Homecoming 2013 - by Auburn University (2013 - Mobile) as well as LIght Up Life: The Story Behind the Story (2013 - Web) by Collier Tynes (photo on right)A collection of stories about Miss Homecoming 2013, Molly Anne Dutton. Light Up Life: The Story Behind the Story (2013 - Mobile)Many aspects of this story drove its popularity. Molly Anne was the 100th Miss Homecoming ever elected. However, it was her life story and campaign platform that captured the nation's attention. Her story is so compelling, Molly Anne was interviewed by many national print and broadcast outlets. One interesting tidbit: Collier Tynes, the author of this story, was also Molly Anne's Director of PR for the campaign."Molly Anne Dutton's ridiculously inspirational message of how the light of adoption overcame the darkness of sexual assault not only captured the hearts of the Auburn student body, but of the entire country." Photo is from a feature on Molly Anne at Auburn's Ag Illustrated.More Popular Posts & Pages (in order of their unique view counts)Top 10 Comparisons Between Auburn University and Hogwarts (MOBILE) - by Hailey Kornman A Hug from Taylor Swift (WEB) & Taylor Swift Hugs Auburn (this is actually a page, not a post)Jamie Nolen's Profile Page - One Popular Auburn Alumna (Web)The Hill, The Quad or The Village? - Posted by Lindsey Maria RobinsonLambert-Powell Meat Lab is here to serve you - Posted by Katlin MulvaneyAcre: New Auburn Restaurant Hopes to Grow a New Life into the Local Community (Web) & Acre: New Auburn Restaurant Hopes to Grow a New Life into the Local Community (Mobile) - Posted by Annholland White (WEB) and it's the highest performing non-Style & Design student post (from Intro to PR)Auburn BCS Celebration set for January 22 at Jordan-Hare Stadium - Posted by Auburn University9 Things Aggies Want You to Know About Aggieland - Posted by Josiah GreeneWar Eagle :: Burton Christmas Lights - Fayetteville, GA - Added by Auburn UniversityJames E. Foy Information Desk Answers Questions of All Kinds 24 Hours a Day - Posted by Stephen Kelly (Yes, another Foy Desk post)Living as a Frat House Mom - Posted by Tatum HenleyTiger: War Eagle - Wallpaper 1024x768 (this one is different as it comes from the activity feed) & Tiger: War Eagle - Wallpaper 1024x768I Am Auburn - Posted by Jennifer (the top user contributed post)A Season to Remember - Posted by Frances Sullivan Mayhall (a top member contributed post)Another Year, Another Miss Homecoming (2010 - WEB)Octavia Spencer Wins Again :: 2012 SAG Award for Best Supporting Actress (2012 - WEB)Auburn Family's Mobile Version Front PageA Bill Nye Recap (2012 - Mobile) & A Bill Nye Recap (2012 - Web) & Another Bill Nye "The Science Guy" Blog Post (Web)Cameron Newton: A Role Model to Thousands (2010 - Web)The 5 Stages of an Auburn Spring (2014 - Mobile)All Auburn All Orange T-shirt Voting (2010 - Web)"Lou Holtz" back at the Rick & Bubba ShowGetting Involved: Diamond Dolls (2011 - Web)Karen Eckert Barker's Page - A 1991 Chemical Engineering Auburn Alumna (Web)The Eagle Eye Videos Page (Web)Auburn Family Search for Alumni Members (Web)Job Opportunities on Campus Blog Post (Web)Video: Auburn Version of Rammer JammerAll Aboard "The Gus Bus" Sweater Weather (Web)For Casey Carroll Dreams Do Come True (Web)Other Top Pages from Auburn FamilyJust for fun, here are some other pages that are frequently visited by visitors.Auburn Family front page (WEB) We have noticed over the years that most of our traffic comes in on other pages. That means that directly typing in a URL, referrals (via social networks, webpages and email, for example) and organic search are the primary path for visitors coming to Auburn Family.Auburn Family blog list page (WEB)Auburn Family photo main page (WEB)Auburn Family video front page (WEB)Auburn Family members main page (WEB)Auburn Family main index pending (WEB)Auburn Webcams (WEB)Videos section front pageSearch Results for Student members of the network (1,637)User "Add Videos" pageUser "Edit Blog Posts" pageUser "My Page" settingsThe Auburn Family "Latest Stories" pageSee More