1. Expansion — get out of your comfort zone and explore existing (but new) regions
Just before the New Year rang in, I read an article which listed Indonesia as one of the most social countries in the world. And I wasn’t surprised because I had previously conducted several ad campaigns in the Asian market region with outstanding results. It is important to understand the social media culture of the market you’re trying to reach. A 2010 report showed that 21% of (nearly 240 million) Indonesians are on Twitter, making them the most Twitter-addicted nation. Another article published in 2011 showed Philippines as the largest nation (93.9% of the population) on Facebook. European MBA programs have been eyeing Indonesian students for a while.
Did you know that?
So, expand. Try new things and increase college enrollment.
2. Every Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions Department should blog –blog — blog!
Does your admissions department have a blog? This is crucial; and should be done at least, once a week. Get someone on your team or department who loves to write. If you can’t find any, outsource the writing to a freelance writer or strategist or get one on board as a member of staff. One super way to blog is to answer questions that students often ask. For example, financial aid is a big area for many students and with your expertise and experience; you can come up with a nice blog post that answers their questions, clearly, simply and in a user-friendly manner.
Encourage social media sharing by adding those nice little WordPress widgets or plugins and please respond to their questions in a timely manner.
3. Integrate email marketing campaigns with social media
Get those email addresses. Why not add Sign up for our newsletter to your site? This erases the fear of being tagged a spammer because when people sign up, their consent is given to receive emails from you. Keep your students and prospective students informed about upcoming events, admissions deadlines, scholarship info, essay competitions, etc. Email campaigns build relationships and people love to feel special.
There are many email solutions providers out there like Myemma.com, Constant Contact, Mailchimp, Madmimi. Do your research and start the email campaigns.
4. Apps —Apps – Apps!
If your admissions department doesn’t have a custom app, it’s time to get one developed. Admissions departments will benefit from this greatly because students do a lot of things with their iPhones, iPads, iPods, etc. This app will provide prospective students info about your school’s admissions process, loaded with maps, course information, live feeds and much more. Calls to your office will reduce and this will enable you concentrate on providing quality service.
Is it time to take admissions up a notch? You decide. Times are changing, don’t get left behind and yes, education pays. I have a lot more to write about but that’s all for now. Watch out for a continuation.
Disclosure of Material Connection
I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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