Digital marketing at Ball State encompasses marketing efforts through the Ball State websites, email marketing, social media, content strategy, and consulting with campus partners. Our efforts have transformed the online user experience for current and prospective students, faculty, and staff over the past several years. From the campus-wide communications we distribute to the maintenance of the University's most critical marketing asset — bsu.edu — our team's primary focus is to tell the Ball State story in every digital touchpoint.

Email

Email Marketing

We provide colleges, departments, and administrative units with email marketing solutions for internal and external audiences. Our team can assist with the design and development of email communications, consult on email marketing strategy, and also track and evaluate campaign effectiveness.

Request an Email or Newsletter Distribution

To get started with an email project, fill out the request form and we'll take it from there. For emails associated with alumni events or giving, please submit your request to the Foundation.

Complete the Form

Communications Center

The Communications Center is the University's primary internal communications tool where messages (called "articles") are published by authorized users to categories that students, faculty, and staff are subscribed. To learn more, including how to manage your subscriptions and request publishing access, visit the Communications Center.

Social Media

We engage the community via official Ball State social media accounts. We partner with groups across campus to enhance the social conversations and extend the reach of the Ball State story.

Our team can assist you with strategy development, training, identifying best practices, campaign design and execution, and performance measurement.

Starting a New Social Media Account?

Let us help. Tell us your plans and goals and we'll guide you through the process.

Get Started

Resources

The creation of additional profiles in tandem with the official Ball State accounts is exciting, but a big decision. Several pieces need to be considered before launching or managing a new account. Find these considerations and more in our social media toolkit.

Explore the Toolkit

Assets

Find social media assets for download including avatars, cover photos, and more in our brand toolkit. Download social media assets.

Questions?

If you can't find an answer to your question in our toolkit, contact social media strategist Bobby Whittingham for assistance.

Websites

We work with colleges, departments, centers, and administrative units in maintaining their websites under the main Ball State domain ("www.bsu.edu;" also referred to as the "marketing website"). Our team provides training, access, support, consulting, and data reporting in regards to these sites. We also provide WordPress website solutions for University-related purposes that may not be appropriate for the main website.

Sitecore is the content management system (CMS) for the Ball State website (www.bsu.edu). With departmental approval, individuals can request Sitecore training to gain access to their area's website.

Training and Access

To get started, make a formal request for access to Sitecore and your area's website. We'll set you up with training and go from there.

Request Sitecore Access

Support

Need Sitecore assistance? Visit digitalmarketing.bsu.edu for step-by-step guides and resources or submit a HelpDesk ticket for one-on-one support.

Ball State offers three WordPress platforms for websites that aren't suitable or appropriate for the main Ball State website.

These WordPress platforms include:

  • sites.bsu.edu - host a WordPress-based website for official Ball State affiliates, including conferences, labs, or other non-departmental or non-administrative office websites.
  • blogs.bsu.edu - host a WordPress-based blog for Ball State colleges, departments, offices, or units.
  • people.bsu.edu - host a professional WordPress-based website dedicated to research and other professionally-focused topics.

New Site and Training Requests

For a new WordPress website and related training, fill out the request form and we'll help get you started.

Request a WordPress Website

Support

For WordPress support, visit digitalmarketing.bsu.edu for step-by-step guides and resources or submit a HelpDesk ticket for one-on-one support.

Please note: websites hosted at sites.bsu.edu, people.bsu.edu, or blogs.bsu.edu must adhere to the Ball State website policies and guidelines outlined in the request form. If your request does not support these policies or the usage guidelines of the platform you're requesting, we may recommend another option or decline the request altogether if no University-provided alternative is available.

Short URLs

Sometimes referred to as "marketing" or "vanity" URLs, these shortened web addresses allow you to refer users to your website in print pieces, social media, or wherever else. For example, "bsu.edu/bursar" is a short URL for the Bursar's full address, "bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/bursar".

Most academic and administrative units have an active short URL. If you're not sure of what yours might be, submit a request and we'll check our records.

Request a Short URL

Online Forms

Online forms are an easy, great way to gather information quickly via the website, social media, or elsewhere. The University offers multiple solutions for online forms, each serving a unique purpose.

Formstack (external forms)

Formstack forms are used to gather information from external audiences. Examples include award nominations and non-academic program registrations. These forms are hosted at “forms.bsu.edu."

Request a Formstack Form

BSU Apps (internal forms)

Forms are sometimes needed for internal audiences including faculty, staff, or students. Created by IT, these forms automatically pull the Ball State ID, email, and name of those who fill the form out, making them useful for a variety of internal processes. BSU Apps forms are hosted at “prodapps.bsu.edu."

Request a BSU Apps Form

Slate CRM

Slate is Ball State’s recruiting database for undergraduate and graduate applicants. Managed by the Division for Enrollment Planning and Management and, Slate contains forms for prospective students to request information, register for events, and apply for admission. These forms are hosted at "admissions.bsu.edu."

Request data reports from Slate

CashNet

Business Affairs manages a payment system using CashNet. If your form involves a monetary transaction, CashNet may be the best solution.

To learn more and request a CashNet form, contact the Office of Bursar & Loan Administration.

Other Services

Other services our team provides include:

  • digital marketing consultation and planning
  • digital marketing training
  • content strategy
  • content management
  • website design
  • Google Analytics consultation
  • search engine optimization (SEO)

Questions?

Contact your account strategist to learn more about or request one of our services.