Many enrollment and admission directors are feeling tremendous pressure to deliver on lofty enrollment goals in an increasingly competitive independent school landscape. As a former director of admission, I know this pressure almost too well. At the same time, marketing and communications directors are facing similar demands as it relates to attracting the number of mission-aligned students and families admission teams need, while also fostering a sense of joy and community that assists in retaining those families for the long haul. So, I was quite surprised to learn that some schools continue to lack alignment between these two departments!

Enrollment and marketing directors must focus on creating a strong, aligned foundation within the school to ensure that enrollment and marketing strategies are sustainable, well-coordinated, and effective. Here are five ways your school can achieve this: 

Investing in paid search ads is a vital marketing tactic within independent schools looking to maintain or increase enrollment. Parents are increasingly using search engines like Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo to gather information about where to send their children to school. However, ranking organically for terms like “all-girls boarding schools” or “best private schools near me” can be difficult for schools that don’t have exceptional SEO with high-quality content. Search Ads on Google or Microsoft platforms provide a significant opportunity for schools to advertise on the top search engines in the exact moment parents are looking. Here are some best practices for getting started on boosting your brand and building awareness with search ads:

There are a number of digital marketing avenues independent schools should explore to assist with recruiting international students. While in-person travel, virtual fairs, and leveraging education consultants are tried and true and should remain part of your comprehensive strategy, improving your digital marketing footprint is critical to building a pipeline of quality prospects. Here’s how your school can get started on building an international digital marketing presence.

QR codes offer a fast and convenient way to share valuable content about your school with parents and students. With a scan on their smartphone, parents and students can easily engage with your school to learn more about your academic programs and admission process, or even register for an event or donate. Here are some tips for independent school marketers looking to enhance communication and increase engagement via QR codes:

There’s a lot to consider when planning your school’s admissions open house and event marketing is key to ensuring the fruits of your labor result in strong attendance.

Here are 5 ways you can promote your school’s open house online to drive event awareness, inquiries, and registrations.

If you’re running a Google Ads campaign, you’ve probably wondered: should I bid on my school’s own brand name? At Enroll Media Group, we partner with schools across the country to help them manage their Search Ads (Google Ads and Microsoft/Bing Ads)  to drive enrollment. In short, our answer is yes, schools should bid on their brand when running a paid search campaign as part of an overall brand strategy.

Here are the top 10 reasons why schools should bid on their own brand name.

Are you a school marketer looking for a new way to expand your enrollment marketing efforts online? In addition to having a LinkedIn page, and optimizing your school’s LinkedIn presence, schools should also consider LinkedIn Advertisements. 

Here’s how you can incorporate LinkedIn Ads into your school’s marketing plan.

Is your independent school planning an in-person, virtual, or hybrid admissions event this fall? If so, it’s critical for your school’s event to be optimized on search engines. Many private school marketers know that SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a relatively large undertaking.

But did you know that you truly can take SEO one page at a time?

Each year presents its own unique marketing challenges for independent K-12 schools, and this year is no exception. On the heels of a global pandemic, a drastically shifting economy, and a privacy-centric online advertising space, schools need to allocate annual marketing dollars smarter and leaner than in the past in order to more effectively reach right-fit families online. 

Here are some tips for schools looking to develop a stronger and smarter digital marketing strategy this year: 

In today’s market, especially during a pandemic, paid advertising is a great way for independent schools to promote all the benefits and successes they are experiencing this year. The ads are also a great way to reach new families who are exploring different options for their children. According to an eMarketer study, 96% of social marketers consider Facebook the most effective paid advertising option available to them. Paid advertising on social media can be very effective at growing your admissions funnel, and it is relatively easy to put a quick ad campaign together; however, it is important to remember your organic presence can continue to nurture these families throughout the admissions process, as well as support the paid ads, so that the paid and organic strategies together have a longer, stronger impact.

3 Reasons Your School Should Be Posting on Facebook and Instagram While Running Ads