How to build a strong alumni network and online community

The power of online alumni networks

Whether tied to a college or a company, alumni communities function as powerful social networks built on shared experiences, values, and goals. When intentionally designed, these online alumni networks can provide lasting value to both their members and hosting organizations.

How college alumni networks benefit graduates

According to Boston University, alumni networks “represent some of the most valuable relationship assets we as professionals can access.” A strong alumni online community can provide graduates with tools for career growth and personal development through:

• Access to job leads, internships, and referrals
• Mentorship and career guidance from experienced alumni
• Peer-to-peer networking to maintain connections after graduation
• Skill-building and knowledge sharing through events and resources
• A sense of belonging and support

Additionally, Forbes notes that alumni networks can help level the playing field by giving underserved graduates access to career connections that more privileged students often gain through family and personal networks.

How corporate alumni networks support organizations and former employees

Corporate alumni networks offer many of the same benefits as college networks, while also advancing business outcomes. They can:

• Create a talent pipeline through boomerang hires and employee referrals
• Improve employee retention by fostering long-term relationships
• Gain competitive insights into industry trends and innovations
• Boost brand advocacy through positive alumni engagement
• Generate business leads via alumni working in new organizations or leadership roles

How to build an online alumni community

Like any online community, building a strong alumni network requires thoughtful planning and dedicated resources (like a skilled community manager!) While the outcomes may differ for collegiate and corporate communities, we’ll find a number of similarities in how they are set up and managed. Ready to learn how to build an alumni network that lasts? Let’s get started.

1. Identify your alumni’s needs

Don’t forget, communities are for people! Before defining your organization’s goals, focus on understanding what your alumni truly need. Are they looking to expand their professional network? Do they want access to career development, mentorship, or events? The Fulbright Program, for example, knew that their global alumni of former grantees needed a centralized hub to connect, share research, and collaborate on projects and ideas.

This discovery phase is also a great opportunity to engage potential members early on. Send out a survey or conduct 1:1 interviews with your ideal members. Use these insights to shape your approach and build a strong case for your alumni network. (Check out our community value proposition canvas to get started.) 

2. Define your community’s goals and desired outcomes

Once you’ve identified a clear need for your online alumni community, the next step is to define what success looks like—both for your members and your organization.

Start by asking: How will this community help alumni achieve their goals? Will it focus on 1:1 networking, mentorship programs, career development, or exclusive events? These outcomes should align with the needs you discovered during your research.

Next, connect your community’s purpose to your broader organizational objectives. Are you building an alumni network to increase brand awareness, generate new leads, improve recruitment through referrals, or strengthen long-term engagement? Be as specific as possible when defining your success metrics. Clear, measurable goals will help you track progress and demonstrate the impact of your community over time. 

3. Choose the right platform for your community

The tools you use to support your online alumni community should align with your goals and the needs of your members. When evaluating community platforms, ask yourself:

• Do you need a searchable member directory or people search?
• Should the platform support discussion forums or ongoing conversations?
• Can targeted emails based on profile data support engagement?  

For example, the Shell Alumni Network identified early on that their members needed sub-groups to connect with like-minded peers. That feature became essential in fostering meaningful relationships within their network. 

4. Develop an engagement strategy

A strong engagement strategy is essential to the success of any online alumni community. How you engage your members should be driven by their interests, needs, and goals. Our recommendation? Start small, stay consistent, and experiment often.

Not every tactic will work, but by testing different approaches and tracking results, you’ll discover what truly resonates with your members. And remember to give your tactics a chance—sometimes the first attempt doesn’t work, but members may catch on if you try again.

Notre Dame University’s alumni association transformed its event management capabilities with Hivebrite, allowing organizers to independently configure sophisticated multi-day, multi-track events with customized ticket options, while implementing precise controls over availability based on eligibility, timing, and capacity requirements. Events are a big way that Notre Dame keeps their alumni engaged. This flexibility proved invaluable during COVID-19, enabling a swift transition to virtual programming that now seamlessly complements their in-person gatherings.

Here are a few ideas to kick off your community engagement efforts:

• Virtual networking sessions to spark new connections
• “Ask Me Anything” posts in the Live Feed featuring industry experts
• Webinars based on member questions and feedback
• 1:1 introductions facilitated by your community manager—or AI! (Check out our blog on using AI for community management.)
• Bring “future alumni” (i.e., new employees or students) into the community as part of an Alum’ from Day One strategy. 

In addition to events and interactive features, engaging content plays a key role in building alumni networks that feel vibrant and valuable. Focus on what your members genuinely want to read, watch, or listen to vs. what’s easiest to create.

Content for alumni networks could include:

• Alumni spotlights or interesting success stories
• Expert advice or guest blogs written by members
• Informative content tied to your community’s mission or industry trends

The key is to deliver content and experiences that reflect your network’s values and help your members grow, both professionally and personally. Read more about the evolving landscape of alumni engagement. 

5. Track your alumni network’s success 

Once you’ve defined clear goals for your online alumni network, the next step is measuring progress and impact. Strong analytics help your community manager evaluate what’s working, improve engagement strategies, and demonstrate the community’s overall ROI. 

Community analytics can include both quantitative and qualitative data, such as participation rates, content engagement, and success stories or testimonials. Take time to identify which metrics align most closely with your goals and focus on tracking those consistently.

While there are countless KPIs you could measure, the key is to choose the right analytics that reflect your community’s purpose and avoid getting bogged down in unnecessary data.

Here are a few alumni network analytics to consider: 

• Member growth and activation rates
• Event attendance and feedback
• Engagement with posts, forums, or content
• Referrals, rehires, or other conversion-related metrics
• New business leads generated by alumni

Ready to build a strong alumni network?

Whether you’re launching a new online alumni community or growing an existing one, the right platform can make all the difference. From advanced profile and member directory functionalities to purpose-built engagement tools, Hivebrite is designed to help you build, grow, and sustain a thriving alumni network.

Contact our team today to see how we can support your alumni community goals.