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  • 1.  Google Alerts - Tips on Refining

    Posted 12-20-2023 01:32 PM

    We know how useful Google alerts can be to find updates on alumni, but we really struggle with going through them all. It is often like a needle in a haystack because a majority of them tend to be athletic focused. Does anyone have an tips on keywords to use that produce the best results for an alumni records team to find information such as employment changes, promotions, obituaries, etc.? Any advice is great\ly appreciated!



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    Colleen Deal
    Appalachian State University
    dealcf@appstate.edu
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  • 2.  RE: Google Alerts - Tips on Refining

    Posted 12-20-2023 01:40 PM
    As you have found, going through these - even with improved keyword searches - is incredibly time-consuming. And it is unlikely you will use the found data for alumni who are not engaged - yet these searches do not know that, and so you get information on anyone who attended ASU.

    A semi-annual employment append for your most likely alumni prospects yields a better ROI. Then an annual death screening for everyone else. These will save hundreds of research hours.

    John

    John H. Taylor
    Principal
    John H. Taylor Consulting, LLC
    2604 Sevier St.
    Durham, NC   27705
    919.816.5903 (cell/text)

    Serving the Advancement Community Since 1987




    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Google Alerts - Tips on Refining

    Posted 12-20-2023 02:13 PM
    Colleen, this is very  much a problem for "big data" techniques like machine learning, semantic search, and natural language processing. Advanced search queries are just not powerful enough to deal with the quantity of data and the contextual meaning you're trying to get at. However, with these tools becoming so much more available and affordable, it's not crazy to think about doing a project like this.


    Thank you,
    Isaac Shalev
    Data Strategy Expert
    Sage70, Inc.
    (917) 859-0151
    isaac@sage70.com

    Schedule a 30-minute consultation now:




    Original Message


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