• Subscribe
  • Newsletter
  • Media Kit
  • Contact
  • Login
Campus Rec Magazine
  • Sections
    • Facility Development
    • News
    • Operations
    • Programming
    • Rec of the Month
    • Staff Development
    • Well-being
    • Profiles
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletter
    • Contact Us
  • Columns
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
  • Podcast
  • Webinars
  • Education
    • CR Leadership Summit
    • Campus Rec Mastermind Groups
No Result
View All Result
  • Sections
    • Facility Development
    • News
    • Operations
    • Programming
    • Rec of the Month
    • Staff Development
    • Well-being
    • Profiles
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletter
    • Contact Us
  • Columns
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
  • Podcast
  • Webinars
  • Education
    • CR Leadership Summit
    • Campus Rec Mastermind Groups
No Result
View All Result
Campus Rec Magazine
No Result
View All Result
Home Columns

Why You Need Data and Numbers

Heather Hartmann by Heather Hartmann
October 26, 2017
in Columns, News
0
data
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedIn

I am not a numbers person.

I don’t like numbers. I don’t always understand numbers. I had to work hard in every math class I took.

In fact, when I first started as an intern at Peake Media, the parent company of Campus Rec Magazine, I had to write down my hours and do math at the end of every two weeks before I handed it to my boss. Let’s just say nine times out of 10 he had to fix whatever number I had come up with because it was wrong. And that was just simple addition with a calculator.

However, as I dive deeper into the world of media, I have learned numbers can’t be ignored. They are so, so important. Numbers are data and data points are unbiased ways to get a pulse on the industry or what have you. If you aren’t reading the data, you’re probably missing the mark on many things.

Recently, we decided to make numbers and data a bit of a game here at Peake Media, because you can imagine it’s not top of mind for us journalists who make up 90 percent of the office. But a competition was decided upon to motivate us to look at and utilize the data. We picked data points drawn from Google Analytics on each of our brand’s websites and social media pages. From there, we set the goals we wanted to hit by the end of the next quarter, determining a percentage of growth system to help decide the winner.

Two weeks in, I’ve looked at the data more than I have in the past three years. I’ll pop onto Google Analytics or Facebook Insights at least twice a week, viewing what web stories are gaining ground or what time of day is best to post a meme. It’s been helpful, realizing I am aiming for something rather than posting aimlessly. And when the numbers haven’t done what I want, it gets me thinking on how to change things up.

What data are you looking at? Are you analyzing the numbers at all? What about your staff? Even your student staff? Are you teaching the importance of data and how to use it in each of their roles? For Group X instructors, that means tracking attendance numbers. For front desk staff, it could be looking at equipment check out to determine where more items need to be purchased. For marketing directors, it means optimizing social media and your website reach.

Don’t ignore the numbers. Look at them, understand them and then use them. I know I’m just grateful I don’t have to add or multiple anything.

Tags: campus reccampus rec facilitycampus recreationcampus recreation departmentdatafeaturednumbers
Previous Post

International Outreach through Campus Rec

Next Post

Using Halloween to Engage Students

Heather Hartmann

Heather Hartmann

Heather Hartmann is the editor for Campus Rec Magazine. She can be reached at heather@peakemedia.com.

Related Posts

Recap 2022 Leadership Summit
Education

Recap of the 2022 Leadership Summit

June 28, 2022
Developing an Outdoor Program
Outdoor Adventure

Developing an Outdoor Program at UW Part Two — Lessons Learned

June 21, 2022
Pandemic Programming Trends
Programming

Pandemic Programming Trends Here to Stay

June 14, 2022
Fitstagram
Well-being

Body Positive Strategies in the Age of “Fitstagram”

May 31, 2022
Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health

Mental Health Awareness Month: Resource Roundup 

May 24, 2022
Avoiding burnout
Columns

Avoiding Burnout: The Power of a Coach

May 17, 2022
Next Post
Halloween

Using Halloween to Engage Students

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn
Campus Rec Magazine

The premier business resource for college and university recreation centers.

The Current Issue

May/June 2022 Issue

May/June 2022

Browse

  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletter
  • Podcast
  • Media Kit
  • Contact

© 2022 Campus Rec Magazine. Published by Peake Media.

No Result
View All Result
  • Sections
    • Facility Development
    • News
    • Operations
    • Programming
    • Rec of the Month
    • Staff Development
    • Well-being
    • Profiles
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletter
    • Contact Us
  • Columns
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
  • Podcast
  • Webinars
  • Education
    • CR Leadership Summit
    • Campus Rec Mastermind Groups

© 2022 Campus Rec Magazine. Published by Peake Media.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
[adrotate group="26"]
<div class="g g-26"><div class="g-single a-415"><a class="gofollow" data-track="NDE1LDI2LDEsNjA=" href="https://www.power-systems.com/shop/section/matchingfunds" target="_blank"><img src="https://campusrecmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Power-Systems-CR-Before-You-Go-Banner.jpg" width="640" height="480"/></a></div></div>
[adrotate group="25"]
<div class="g g-25"><div class="g-single a-416"><a class="gofollow" data-track="NDE2LDI1LDEsNjA=" href="https://www.gosportsart.com/ecopowrrower/?utm_source=campus_rec&utm_medium=welcome_banner&utm_campaign=ecopowerrower&utm_content=banner" target="_blank"><img src="https://campusrecmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/SportsArt-CR-June-Welcome-Banner.gif" width="640" height="480"/></a></div></div>