The Future of College Success: Increase Student Admissions & Build A Strong Brand with Digital Marketing
- June 14, 2024
- Posted by: digitaluplyft
- Category: Digital Marketing
The success of a college institute hinges on the strength of its local brand and the level of popularity it has among local students & parents. Establishing a strong local brand that resonates with the target audience is paramount. Now the important question: Have you successfully cultivated a brand that truly connects with the local community? If not, then worry not. We will help guide you to build one in this informative blog.
Enhance Your Online Presence:
Enhancing your online presence is a crucial step in increasing student enrollments. In today’s digital world, prospective students and their families heavily rely on the internet to research and gather information about educational institutions.
Here are the 9 key strategies to help increase student admissions for your college institute.
- Create a User-Friendly and Engaging Website:
Your website is the virtual face of your institution. Ensure it is visually appealing, well-organized, and user-friendly. Make navigation intuitive, provide clear and concise information about your programs, admission requirements, campus facilities, and faculty. Incorporate engaging visuals, videos, and testimonials to capture the attention of visitors. Ensure website is mobile friendly so that website provides best user experience.
- Implement local SEO.
Do you want to get found when prospective parents or students search for best colleges in their city or nearby. Then local SEO is your go to medium to achieve that.
Implementing local SEO techniques helps your website rank higher in local search engine results, making it more visible to potential students. Conduct keyword research to identify relevant keywords and incorporate them strategically throughout your website’s content, headings, meta tags, and URLs. Ensure your website loads quickly, is mobile-friendly, and has proper site architecture.
Having optimised Google business listing will help get ranked in local search. This will help with local search results.
“Over 90% of college-bound students conduct online research before making a decision on which college to attend. Without a strong digital presence, your college may not even be on their radar, leading to missed opportunities and decreased enrollment.”
- Leverage Social Media Platforms:
Social media platforms are powerful tools for connecting with prospective students and showcasing your institution’s unique qualities. Create active profiles on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Regularly post engaging content, share student achievements, campus events, and provide valuable information. Interact with followers, respond to queries, and foster a sense of community.
Research indicates that 52% of prospective students trust college websites and official social media accounts as their primary sources of information. A well-established brand that conveys credibility and authenticity can instill trust and influence students’ decision-making.
- Develop an Informative Blog:
Maintaining a blog can significantly enhance your online presence and position your institution as a thought leader in the field of education. Create informative and relevant blog posts that address common questions, provide insights into your programs, share success stories, and offer valuable tips for prospective students. Promote your blog through social media and other channels.
- Implement Content Marketing Strategies:
Content marketing involves creating and sharing valuable content to attract and engage with your target audience. Develop a content marketing strategy that includes a mix of written content, videos, infographics, and interactive resources. Offer guides, e-books, and informative videos that address the concerns and interests of prospective students and their families. The content marketing is key for increasing student admissions for your college, since content is the main influencer to students and parents.
According to research, 75% of students consider a college’s website as the most influential factor in their decision-making process. Without a well-designed and optimized website, you may fail to impress potential students and lose their interest to competitors who have a strong online presence
- Implement Live Chat and Chatbot Support:
Offering live chat support or chatbot assistance on your website allows prospective students to obtain quick answers to their questions. Ensure prompt and helpful responses to inquiries, providing personalized guidance and assistance throughout the admissions process. This enhances the user experience and demonstrates your institution’s commitment to student support.
- Share your college brand story
Start by identifying the core purpose and values of your college. What is your institution’s mission? What values do you prioritize in education? Consider aspects such as academic excellence, student empowerment, diversity and inclusivity, community engagement, or innovation. These elements will form the foundation of your brand story.Start by identifying the core purpose and values of your college. What is your institution’s mission? What values do you prioritize in education? Consider aspects such as academic excellence, student empowerment, diversity and inclusivity, community engagement, or innovation. These elements will form the foundation of your brand story.
According to a survey, 85% of students consider the reputation of a college when deciding where to apply. Your college’s brand reputation plays a significant role in increasing college admissions and distinguishing your institution from competitors.
Many college institutes have a compelling story behind their foundation and a visionary mission to pursue. However, the challenge lies in effectively communicating this story to the target audience. Leveraging digital media platforms, such as websites and social media, presents the best opportunity to share a powerful narrative that builds trust, credibility, and establishes the institute’s pedigree.
A study on Impact of Digital Marketing Strategies on Education
Sector in India for college admissions
- Harness the Power of Student Testimonials and Success Stories:
Student testimonials and success stories are invaluable assets for any college institute. They provide social proof and real-life examples of the institute’s impact on students’ lives. By showcasing these stories on your website, social media channels, and marketing materials, you can create a powerful connection with prospective students.
Here are some effective ways to utilize student testimonials and success stories:
Collect Genuine Testimonials: Reach out to current and former students and ask them to share their experiences at the institute. Encourage them to highlight specific aspects they found valuable, such as academic programs, faculty support, extracurricular activities, or career opportunities.
Showcase Diversity: Feature testimonials from students of diverse backgrounds, representing various programs and majors. This demonstrates inclusivity and shows prospective students that your institute is welcoming to all.
Highlight Achievements: Share success stories of alumni who have achieved significant accomplishments in their careers or made notable contributions to their communities. This not only demonstrates the institute’s commitment to student success but also inspires potential students.
Online reputation management is crucial for colleges, as 91% of prospective students trust online reviews and ratings as much as personal recommendations. Failing to actively manage and respond to online reviews can harm your college’s reputation and deter prospective students.
Share on Multiple Channels: Distribute student testimonials and success stories across various digital platforms, including your website, social media accounts, blog, and email newsletters. Make it easy for prospective students to discover and engage with this content
- Showcasing College Faculty Skills
The faculty members of a college institute play a crucial role in shaping the educational experience and success of students. Highlighting their skills, expertise, and abilities on your website can significantly enhance your institute’s reputation and attract prospective students. Here are some effective strategies to promote college faculty skills and abilities on your website:
Faculty Profiles: Create dedicated pages or sections on your website that feature individual profiles of each faculty member. Include their professional background, qualifications, areas of expertise, research interests, and any notable achievements or awards. Use professional headshots and provide a brief narrative that captures their unique contributions to the institute.
Teaching Approaches: Provide insight into faculty members’ teaching philosophies and approaches. Describe how they engage students, promote critical thinking, and foster a supportive learning environment. Sharing testimonials from students about their positive experiences with specific faculty members can be particularly impactful.
Research and Innovation: Highlight faculty members’ involvement in research projects, collaborations, and industry partnerships. Showcase their contributions to cutting-edge knowledge and highlight any innovative teaching methodologies they have developed or implemented.
Student Mentoring and Support: Illustrate how faculty members go beyond the classroom to support student growth and development. Showcase examples of mentorship programs, advising roles, or extracurricular involvement that demonstrate their dedication to guiding students both academically and personally.
Showcasing credible faculties plays a key role in increasing student admissions and also through word of mouth.
Digital marketing is the best means to reach the majority of the student population today because of several reasons. Some of these reasons include:
- Around 60-70% of student’s population is already searching online for educational and training courses. This indicates there
- Most parents and guardians today judge a school or college based on its website and its online presence. Importantly, they read reviews and ratings before they finalise the desired college.
- Most students have started judging a school or college through its online presence.
- The online channel is most easy and preferable for applying and making admission queries.
- Parents and students consider the web as a convenient means for carrying out the admission processes and other required processes.
Interesting Stats
- According to research, 75% of students consider a college's website as the most influential factor in their decision-making process. Without a well-designed and optimized website, you may fail to impress potential students and lose their interest to competitors who have a strong online presence
- Online reputation management is crucial for colleges, as 91% of prospective students trust online reviews and ratings as much as personal recommendations. Failing to actively manage and respond to online reviews can affect your college's reputation and deter prospective students.
- According to a study, 68% of college-bound students have reported that content from colleges and universities has influenced their decision-making process. By providing valuable and relevant content, colleges can establish credibility, build trust, and influence prospective students' choices.
- A study found that 63% of college-bound students said that a college's online presence, including its website and content, played a significant role in their decision to apply. Providing informative and engaging content can capture the attention of prospective students and encourage them to take the next steps in the admissions process
The Digital Admissions: A Case Study & Your Path to Success
We have seen the power of digital marketing in action. By implementing these strategies, we helped Manipal College not only increase student admissions but also build a strong brand that resonates with prospective students.
Imagine achieving similar results for your college. With our expertise in crafting targeted digital marketing campaigns, you can:
- Showcase Your Brand Value: Highlight what sets your institution apart and build a compelling brand story.
- Boost Enrollment Numbers: Increase website traffic, generate leads, and convert interest into admissions.
Ready to unlock the potential of digital marketing for your college?
Contact us today to discuss a customized strategy that will help you achieve your enrollment goals.
FAQs
Share student successes, alumni experiences, and campus life on your website and social media on a consistent basis
Create engaging content showcasing your college, optimize it for search engines so students can find you easily. Be active on relevant platforms with engaging content, run targeted ads to reach the right audience.
Website, Social media channels, Content marketing, paid ads