SMM USE FOR PROMOTION OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (IN THE CONTEXT OF ASTRAKHAN STATE UNIVERSITY) Solovkina M.A. Scientific tutor Kitik M.V. ASU(Astrakhan)

The use of social networks for marketing activities of the enterprises and educational institutes is essential in the modern world.

Russian users have generated 588 million messages per month. The number of social network users, which account more than 100 million people, rapidly increases.

D.Boyd examined more than 10,000 profiles of teenagers in social networks. She noted that the relations between teenagers becomes inconceivable without taking into account the factors of social networks.

The target audience in social media marketing is teenagers and youth, as they are the main users of social networks. The target audience represents a particular group of consumers, identified as the targets or recipients for a particular advertisement or message.

Social Survey of students of the Astrakhan State University

V Kontakte The most popular social network among Astrakhan students is Vkontakte. There are about 200 communities and groups, containing title of "ASU".

According to statistical data of UNESCO the number of the Chinese students abroad makes 16,5% of universal number of students, and Internet users in China reach 649 million people.

National Research Tomsk State University tried to overcome the communication barriers and reach the Chinese Internet space to offer the educational services. TSU account of the social network Sina Weibo appeared In April 2014.

Recommendations for universities which want to increase the number of foreign students: 1. Research the most popular social networks among particular group of foreign students. 2. Create the account of the University in that social network.

3. Post regular, useful and interesting content. 4. Hold various contests to motivate the target audience and draw attention to the social network of the University. 5. Answer all the questions of potential students and try to find suitable educational programs to them.

6. Be always available to your audience. 7. Use a variety of promotions to straighten a students interest, such as coupons and discounts. 8. Be careful of what you post.

9. Listen to the audience. Take into account all suggestions and ideas from the students. 10. Focus more on creating amazing content and developing relationships with online influencers.

"We don't have a choice on whether we do social media, the question is how well we do it." Erik Qualman.