Education sector marketing is notoriously challenging. Well-known hurdles include budget limitations and having to appeal to a completely new audience each year. And with the rise of digital marketing channels. Marketing your educational institution effectively is becoming even more competitive and complex.

Students (and their parents) now expect online entry forms and a presence on social media, and candidate recruitment becoming a year-round activity – and as digital channels continue to evolve, even established educational suppliers should be re-evaluating their marketing strategy annually.

So how can you ensure your education sector marketing strategy set for success? Some of it will always be down to the context and objectives of your school, college or university, but…..

Here Are Some Successful Education Sector Marketing Strategy

Consider Key Timings

Look at when in the year you can best plan or review your marketing strategy, also allowing time for implementation. Recommended timings are preparing for the new academic year in JUNE and getting ready for the new financial year and spring term in NOVEMBER.

Regardless of your budget, setting aside time at critical points in the year to work on your marketing strategy will help you generate demand that leads to filling those spaces. It’s also worth remembering to keep future candidates warm throughout the year. Don’t just see candidate recruitment as a one-off ‘open day’, as competitors will find it all too easy to creep up and steal prospective students from you when you least expect it if you’re not at the top of your game year round.

Understand And Use Social Media

Prospective students now expect you have a strong social media presence across key channels, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Being present on these channels helps you keep your college in front of mind so make sure you’re making the most of social platforms. To make sure you’re making the most of the latest channels,

Become A ‘Page One’ Search Result On Google

When parents and students are researching suitable education providers online, it’s essential that you’re a top result. As Google is the most popular search engine, Google AdWords is the most effective way to help drive traffic to your website. There is, of course, a huge amount of relevant competition in AdWords. So it’s important you know what you’re doing when setting this up! It’s also a good idea to work with someone who is experienced in SEM, otherwise, it can become very expensive.

Take A Multi-Channel Approach BUT Join It Up

Prospectuses remain key and still the best place to tell the story of your college/university, from results to reputation and facilities to extracurricular activities – but they shouldn’t be seen as a document in a silo.

The print is most definitely not dead (especially in the world of education). But make sure your prospectus is also featured on your digital. Social and email communications as well as any promotional items you give out at events. Keep your theme joined up throughout to make the most of your investment.

Get Some Credibility

Testimonials from past students. Awards you’ve won as well as your latest results are crucial to building up the credibility behind your story. These are all great endorsements which can be incredibly powerful, just like the ‘Fleely.Com’ effect on the leisure industry.

Contact Us

For more on education sector marketing, we’ll soon be releasing our ‘Fleely.com 2019’. Where we will share the thoughts and opinions of prospective students. And parents about what they liked about how last year’s prospectuses and what changes they would like to see. So if you’re about to kick off the development of your prospectus for this year. Don’t miss out on reading this great insight! To register for a free copy of the document or to set up a chat with us for advice on your marketing strategy this year, call +91-9636233337 or email sales@vmayo.com