Before working at SchoolInfo, I had the pleasure of working with schools around the world. Every summer, we focused on getting the word out about our schools and why they were the best choice for families. While different tools worked well for different communities, there were several tried and true methods of increasing enrollment. In this blog series, I will be sharing the highlights of what worked well, as well as including some tips I wish I had known at the time!
For the first in this series, I'd like to start with some basics. Consider this Marketing 101!
Do you have the best test scores in your state? Is your after school program top notch? Maybe your campus is more secure than others in your town. Knowing what you do well is the first step to letting your community know!
To understand what makes your school stand out, talk to families, staff, and student. Get testimonials from them speaking to how you make a difference and make sure everyone working on student recruitment is aware of why you stand out.
Now you know why you stand out. Great! Now make sure you share your story. Update your website with articles highlighting how your school stands out. Maybe it's an academic victory. Maybe it is an active parent teacher association. Or maybe your football team is the best in the state. Perhaps it's all three. Make sure you are presenting your best news on your website, on social media, and on your branded mobile app.
Pro tip: Highlight teams or individuals who have done well. Those stories will likely be shared with proud friends and family. And don't forget to mention stand-out members of your staff.
Families will want to know how you focused on keeping your community safe during the pandemic. They will also want to know how learning loss was mitigated. Make sure this information is easy to find on your website and on your mobile app.
Once you have a family interested in your school, make sure to make it easy to find out what they need to do to officially enroll! Have forms and requirements for admissions easily accessible on your website!
Going forward in this series, we'll discuss different tactics for increasing student enrollment. Can't wait to learn more about communications? Our ebook, "Digital Communication Strategies for Districts and Schools" is full of great ideas to improve communication at your school. You can download it here.