Enrollment Management High Level

Embracing the Journey: Insights for New Admission Professionals in Private School Marketing

Blog, Customer-centric, Enrollment Management High Level, Five Pillars, Marketing, Student Composition / Claude

As I reflect on my years in private school admissions, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of connection to the journey you’re embarking on. Attracting and retaining the best-fit students is more than just a job; it’s a calling that shapes the very fabric of our school communities. Over the years, I’ve learned that success in this field requires a blend of strategic marketing, effective communication, and an unwavering commitment to understanding the unique needs of prospective families. Allow me to share some of the key insights that have guided me through this dynamic landscape, hoping they will help you thrive in your role and make a lasting impact. Understanding the Admission Funnel and Conversion Experience One of the first lessons I learned was the distinction between the admission funnel and the conversion experience. The admission funnel represents the stages prospective families go through, from awareness to enrollment. It’s a linear path that includes inquiry, application, interview, and acceptance. However, the conversion experience is where the magic happens. It’s all about the quality of interactions and touchpoints that move a family through the funnel. Personalized engagement, timely communication, and ensuring every interaction adds value are crucial. The more we focus on creating a positive and memorable experience, the more likely families are to choose our school. Marketing, Communications, and Sales: Distinct but Interconnected Early on, I realized the importance of distinguishing between marketing, communications, and sales. Marketing is about crafting strategies to attract prospective families, encompassing market research, branding, advertising, and outreach. Communications, on the other hand, is the vehicle through which we convey our school’s messages—newsletters, social media, website content, and press releases all play a part. Sales is the culmination of these efforts, where we engage directly with families, address their concerns, and guide them through the application process. Each element is distinct, yet they are deeply interconnected and collectively vital for success. The Unique Perspective of Prospective Families It’s essential to recognize that prospective families approach the decision to enroll their children in a private school with an added dimension to what they would for a luxury purchase. This decision is deeply emotional and represents a long-term commitment. Families consider the school’s values, academic quality, community fit, and the potential impact on their child’s future. By understanding this, we can tailor our marketing messages to address these nuanced concerns, emphasizing the unique aspects of our school’s offering. Brand is important, because it offers validation for the quality of the educational experience. Engaging Both the Buyer and the Consumer In private school admissions, the buyer (usually the parent) is not always the direct consumer (the student). Both play crucial roles in the decision-making process, and it’s essential to engage them effectively. I’ve found that addressing the student’s preferences and needs often significantly influences the parent’s final decision. Creating a balance in our communication that speaks to both parties can make a significant difference. Mastering Communication Delivery Formats Effective communication is an art, and understanding the three main delivery formats—monologue, digitalogue, and dialogue—has been invaluable. Monologue communication is one-way, suitable for broad, non-interactive messaging. Digitalogue creates virtual dialogues on digital platforms, subdivided into social and automated interactions. Dialogue communication, a two-way real-time interaction, allows for immediate responses and personalized engagement. Mastering these formats helps ensure our messages are received and resonate with our audience. More on these in the future Jul 12, 2024 posting. Tailoring Marketing for Prospective and Re-enrolling Students Marketing to prospective students differs from marketing to potentially re-enrolling students. For new prospects, it’s about introducing them to our school, highlighting unique programs, and addressing initial concerns. For re-enrolling students, the focus shifts to reinforcing positive experiences, showcasing continued value, and addressing any new concerns. Tailoring our approach to each group ensures more effective engagement. Embracing The Five Pillars Paradigm The Five Pillars paradigm has been a guiding framework in my career, encompassing: Customer-Centric Approach: Understanding and addressing the needs of prospective families. Demonstrating Expertise: Showcasing our school’s strengths and achievements. Solving Educational Needs: Providing solutions to families’ educational challenges. Proving Value: Clearly articulating the benefits of our programs and showing that it is worth the cost. Creating Advocates: Building a community of satisfied families who become ambassadors for our school. Resource Allocation and Demand Creation There is a direct correlation between the resources we invest in marketing and the demand we create. Strategic allocation of resources to advertising, outreach programs, and events can significantly increase the number of applicants. However, efficiency and targeted efforts are key to maximizing our return on investment. Your market environment and your brand position will determine how much is needed. Each area of the country has different levels of awareness and demand for private schools. Running the School as a Business A school operates much like a business, requiring revenue to sustain operations, pay salaries, manage facilities, and invest in programs. Recognizing these business aspects helps align our marketing and enrollment strategies with the school’s financial health and sustainability. The Head of School’s Role in Enrollment Success The heads of school play a pivotal role in the successful enrollment of full-pay families. Their leadership, vision, and public presence influence the school’s reputation and credibility. Engaging with prospective families and demonstrating a commitment to excellence can significantly impact their decision to enroll. Conclusion Navigating the complexities of private school admissions is both challenging and rewarding. By understanding the nuances of the admission funnel, distinguishing marketing from sales, and emphasizing personalized engagement, you can effectively attract and enroll students who are the best fit for your school. Continuously refining your strategies and learning from real-world experiences will help you excel in your role and contribute to the long-term success of your institution. Remember, your work is pivotal in shaping the future of your school, ensuring a steady stream of engaged, committed students who will thrive in the educational environment you help create.

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Why Your $150,000 Branding Campaign Doesn’t Last

Blog, Brand, Enrollment Management High Level, Marketing / Claude

Picture this: You’re at one of my Five Pillars workshops. Among the attendees is a director of admission who’s just wrapped up a branding campaign for her school. You’d think she’d have everything she needs to boost full-pay applications, right? But here she is. Curious? So was I. After chatting with her, it hit me—why do these six-figure campaigns need a refresh so quickly? They either fizzle out or become obsolete, only to be replaced by the next “unique” pitch. How many unique positions can one school have? Clearly, something is amiss. Are these campaigns missing a crucial element? Or are schools dropping the ball on execution? Turns out, she nailed it. Something was missing—key components not typically covered by most branding initiatives. These elements weren’t on her vendor’s radar, nor did they appear in those quick-fix solutions offered by marketing agencies. So, what’s the missing piece? A Tale of Two Bakeries Let’s break it down with a bakery analogy. Imagine you’re buying a cake for a friend’s birthday. You walk into a bakery and see a variety of beautifully designed cakes. You ask, “What kind of cakes are these?” The salesperson replies, “They’re all chocolate cakes, just with different designs. Pick the one you like because they all have the same ingredients—finest chocolate, sugar, flour, oil, and eggs.” You think, “They look different, but they all taste the same.” You pick one, but next time, you’ll probably choose another design. After all, the taste won’t change, just the look. This mirrors many branding experiences. Schools get stunning materials with catchy taglines, yet the core message—quality of faculty, program, facilities—remains the same. There’s usually some improvement in applications, maybe even full-pay ones. But these campaigns don’t typically segment and target the full-pay market—the very reason for the hefty price tag. Parents ask, “What kind of school are you?” and you reply with your branding spiel: great faculty, facilities, students, programs. Sounds familiar? It’s what every other school says. Parents start to wonder if the ingredients truly differ from school to school. They focus on finding the best mix of academics, faculty, facilities, and college placement. Some will like your latest design, but not enough to fill your full-pay quota or outshine the top-branded school. Meanwhile, public schools offer similar ingredients for free. Now, the Second Bakery Let’s visit another bakery. You’re still cake shopping. This time, the cakes are labeled uniquely. You ask, “What kind of cakes are these?” The salesperson enthusiastically explains, “This is Raspberry Almond, that’s Chocolate Mousse, this one’s Passion Coconut, and here’s Lemon Velvet Bundt. And of course, we have our standard chocolate cakes.” Each specialty cake has its own distinct flavor, and the salesperson highlights the premium ingredients used. You choose the Raspberry Almond because it fits the birthday girl’s taste perfectly. Next year, you’ll likely pick the same cake because of its unique flavor. Key Takeaways for Your Branding Campaign Differentiate or Disappear: Without identifying your unique ingredients, your campaign won’t yield the desired results. Customers will always seek the best of the common qualities—faculty, students, programs, college placements. If there’s no clear differentiation, why would they choose your school? Serve Unique Needs: Families will only sacrifice the best in common categories when they find something that uniquely meets their needs. If your school can solve their specific problems and it’s worth the cost, they’ll pay the higher tuition. Go Beyond the Beautiful Design: A stunning website or viewbook is great, but without conveying the unique value you offer, your campaign will lack impact and longevity. So, remember, it’s not just about having the best design or tagline. It’s about offering something uniquely valuable that makes families come back year after year, just like that irresistible Raspberry Almond cake.

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Are You Treating Full-Pay Families Differently in the Admission Process?

Blog, Customer-centric, Enrollment Management High Level, Marketing, Recruitment / Claude

In the realm of K-12 private school enrollment management, the question of whether to treat full-pay families differently from aided families is both crucial and complex. Both groups deserve excellent treatment, but the strategies and attention given to each might need to differ to address their unique expectations and needs. Full-pay families, who can choose freely and have higher expectations, might require a tailored approach to justify their significant financial investment. Here, we explore several business cases where customers with greater financial means receive different treatment, illustrating how schools can adopt similar strategies. Business Case Studies Automotive Showrooms: Mercedes vs. Used Car Lots Mercedes Showroom Experience: When visiting a Mercedes-Benz showroom, potential buyers are often greeted with a luxurious environment. From personalized service to high-end amenities like gourmet coffee, plush seating, and detailed vehicle walkthroughs, the experience is crafted to match the premium nature of the product. The objective is to make customers feel the exclusivity and high value of their purchase. Used Car Lot Experience: In contrast, used car lots for brands like Ford or Toyota focus on efficiency and practicality. The environment is straightforward, aimed at providing reliable vehicles at an affordable price. The bells and whistles of a high-end showroom are absent, reflecting the different expectations and budget considerations of their customer base. Retail: Saks Fifth Avenue vs. Walmart Saks Fifth Avenue: At Saks, customers experience personalized shopping assistance, upscale store environments, and exclusive events. The store aims to create a sense of prestige and personalized attention, catering to those who expect and can afford a premium shopping experience. Walmart: Walmart, on the other hand, focuses on cost-efficiency and convenience. The shopping experience is designed to be quick and affordable, aligning with the needs and expectations of a cost-conscious consumer base. Air Travel: First Class vs. Economy Class First Class: Airlines offer vastly different experiences for first-class passengers, including priority boarding, spacious seating, gourmet meals, and personalized service. The intent is to provide an exceptional level of comfort and exclusivity that justifies the higher price. Economy Class: Economy class is more utilitarian, focusing on affordability and essential services. The experience is standardized to accommodate a larger number of passengers, meeting the basic needs of travel efficiently. Implications for Enrollment Management and Marketing in Private Schools Rationales going the additional mile The truth is that if you had the resources to treat everyone the same, you probably would. Unfortunately, most admission offices don’t have enough resources to give everyone the same amount of attention. Yet you can’t afford not to provide additional attention to your most needed segment – full-pay families. Schools that have 5 or more full-pay applicant to each space, probably won’t do the additional touchpoints. Are you one of those? If not, you have to accommodate the target market. Also, you will get a competitive advantage when you up the attention for this group and win over your competitors. Understanding Motivations To effectively market to full-pay families, schools must deeply understand why these families are willing to forego free public school options where they probably pay a considerable amount of taxes to that school district. Key motivations often include: Superior Educational Outcomes: Full-pay families seek evidence of exceptional academic results and college placement records. Holistic Development: These families value comprehensive development opportunities, including extracurricular activities, leadership programs, and arts education. Community and Networking: The social environment and networking opportunities provided by the school can be a significant draw. Tailored Marketing Strategies Based on these motivations, schools can develop tailored marketing strategies for full-pay families: Personalized Tours: Offer tours that are specifically designed for full-pay families, highlighting aspects of the school that align with their expectations and interests. Exclusive Information Sessions: Conduct special information sessions that provide in-depth insights into the school’s offerings, catering to the high expectations of full-pay families. One-on-One Meetings: Arrange private meetings with school leaders to discuss the unique value the school can offer their child. Phone Calling: Reach out to these families with personalized phone calls. Have conversations about their specific needs and connect them with faculty who can address their interests. Creating a high-touch experience makes full-pay families feel valued and appreciated. I have been accommodating full-pay families differently for decades. You might ask, “What if someone finds out?” Only twice have aided families asked why they weren’t invited to an event after finding out their classmates received invitations. I immediately invited them to the event. No harm, no foul. Conclusion Treating full-pay families differently in the admission process doesn’t mean compromising on the core values of equity and inclusion, nor does it mean neglecting other families. It involves recognizing and addressing the unique needs and expectations of full-pay families to secure the necessary revenue for the school’s sustainability. By drawing lessons from various business sectors, private schools can craft strategies that cater to full-pay families while maintaining their commitment to providing an excellent education for all students.

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Strategic Enrollment Plan: Are You Gaining Control Over Your Candidate Pool?

Blog, Enrollment Management High Level, Marketing, Recruitment, Retention, Uncategorized / Claude

Imagine you’re running a marathon. You wouldn’t just show up on race day without any preparation, right? Similarly, gaining control over your school’s candidate pool requires planned, consistent, and sustained effort. It’s about crafting a strategic enrollment management plan. Yet, can a school meet its enrollment targets without one? Absolutely! Some schools rely on what I call the “serendipity enrollment management plan.” The Serendipity Enrollment Management Plan: They Need Us Serendipity happens when a combination of a dense population of age-appropriate students, many full-pay customers, brand position compared to other schools, or poor public school options leads to successful enrollment outcomes. There is probably a good educational product too. These schools may not need to advertise as much, adjust their programs to the needs of the customer, pay attention to pricing, renew their marketing materials regularly, or even hold customer-centric events to attract families. Do these schools understand why they are so fortunate to have such a strong enrollment position? The Reactive Approach: A Costly Gamble Most schools operate on what I call “reactive enrollment management planning.” They respond to problems as they arise. If there’s a clear concern, they might allocate additional resources for marketing or recruiting initiatives. When it gets really bad, they call someone like me in to help them recruit more full-pay families. I rhetorically ask my clients, “Why did it take 5 years for you to notice that your net tuition revenue was shrinking each year?” They are more than likely failing to recognize the root issues—quality of teachers, curriculum excitement, inadequate customer relationships, and inadequate facilities, usually compared to the public school options. Take, for instance, a school with a 20% attrition rate. (I know one of these schools.) Every year, this school sets a budget that includes enrolling additional students after the school year starts. Addressing the attrition problem directly through a retention program, which includes data collection, would save valuable resources. Reactive planning, while sometimes necessary, is far more costly in the long run. Building a Strategic Enrollment Management Plan Whether you’re currently thriving or struggling in the admissions process, now is the time to develop a strategic enrollment management plan. Here are some steps to get you started: Define Your Objectives: What is the demographic make-up you seek? Your enrollment management objectives should align with the optimal student body you envision. For instance, you might need specific types of students in different divisions—athletes in the upper school, charismatic children in the lower school, or affluent families to support your capital campaign. Identify and Attract Your Target Students: Establish marketing strategies that appeal to your desired student body. Schools often bristle at the idea of focusing on full-pay families. However, most of a school’s revenue is generated from this group. If you were trying to build a strong basketball team, would you just focus on bodies or would you focus on students who possess the skills you’re seeking? If you need revenue, you need to focus on full-pay families. Involve the Entire School: Every aspect of school life affects enrollment, from the appearance of the campus to conversations with the business office to the quality of the educational program. Everyone must contribute to the strategic plan. If the head of school isn’t leading this charge, doesn’t understand how to lead it, or doesn’t listen to the voice of the admission people, it’s probably not going to work. Evaluate Your Plan: Set up a system to measure the effectiveness of your enrollment management objectives. Regular evaluations will help you make necessary adjustments. Focus on Retention: Treat each year’s enrollment as starting from zero. A strong retention plan is essential and should involve every department, not just the admission office. It actually annoys me when the admission office is responsible for monitoring retention. The accountability should lie with the people responsible for the quality of the program. If the admission office oversees the quality of the program, then it makes sense. A strategic enrollment management plan is your key to success. It helps you allocate resources more effectively, orchestrate your student body better, improve brand recognition, and respond to marketing conditions proactively. Best of all, it puts you in better control of your candidate pool, turning potential crises into opportunities for growth. So, don’t wait for enrollment issues to force your hand. Embrace a strategic approach, involve your entire team, and take control of your school’s future.

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Are Parents Worry About Value or Price?

Blog, Customer-centric, Enrollment Management High Level / Claude

Why should schools worry about value first and cost second? Let me paint you a picture. My wife was exploring music camps for our son. She was adamant that our budget was capped at $2,500 because, with other children to consider, we needed to be prudent. She found three options: a five-day program for $2,500, which she rated as good; a three-day overnight camp for $3,000, rated very good; and a 30-day overnight camp for $5,000, rated excellent. Given our budget, I expected that the five-day program was the right decision. “These are fine,” I said, “but I guess he will be going to the five-day program.” She looked at me, unwavering, and said, “No, I think we should send him to the 30-day program.” Stunned, I asked, “Where are we going to get the other $2,500?” She gave me a disapproving look, and our son went to the 30-day camp. It’s incredible how consumers can adjust their budgets when they perceive significant value. The Sticker Shock Private school tuition has been climbing steadily. The average increase for the 2023-24 academic year was around 6-7%. According to www.boardingschoolreview.com, the average tuition was $56,875 in 2023-24. National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) writes that the middle range annual cost of private day school was $29,653 in 22-23. These figures can make even the most determined parents hesitate. But here’s the twist: Despite the daunting costs, many families still choose to invest heavily in their children’s education. Why? Because they perceive a value that far surpasses the initial sticker shock. Moreover, there are enough such families with the financial means to fill our schools. The Value Proposition When considering an expensive education, parents often look beyond the immediate costs. They weigh the potential benefits—the superior academic programs, the extensive extracurricular activities, the small class sizes, the unique opportunities for personal growth and the BRAND. Among these reasons, is why my wife was willing to go outside of a stated budget and pay twice as much. Communicating Value So, how do you communicate this value? First, you need to understand what parents value. It’s hard to communicate value well if you don’t know what value the parents are seeking. Once you understand them, you can showcase the relevant, unique programs and outcomes that distinguish your school. Let’s break it down. You have success stories of alumni, impressive college acceptance rates, and specialized programs that create a compelling narrative about your school’s offerings. You know you love to talk about how important the process of providing your education experience is. Are you explaining it well to the layperson? These are powerful tools, but don’t underestimate the naivete of a parent or student when you introduce these unique positions. If parents knew everything about education, they wouldn’t need to rely on teachers. They would just tell you what to do. Oh, some try to do that anyway, but they are a minority. Often, we haven’t explained the benefits of what we do clearly enough. Adapting to Financial Trends Adapting to financial trends is crucial for schools to thrive. This means schools must continuously evolve to meet changing economic realities. One key area of focus is enhancing academic programs. By continually improving academic standards and providing cutting-edge knowledge and skills, schools can ensure they remain competitive and offer the best education possible. Another essential aspect is strengthening community engagement. Building a supportive community that involves parents, alumni, organizations, and 3rd party sites, not only enhances the perceived value of the school but also fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty. This sense of community can be a significant factor in a family’s decision to invest in a particular school. Finally, investing in facilities and technology is vital. By keeping facilities and technology up-to-date, schools ensure that students have access to the best possible learning environment. Modern, well-equipped facilities can make a substantial difference in the quality of education and the overall experience for students, making the investment in education more worthwhile for families. Furthermore, it’s harder to get parents to look seriously at your education when there is peeling paint and stained rugs on their tour. Conclusion The rising cost of tuition may seem like a barrier, but for families who perceive significant value, it’s a worthwhile investment. Enrollment management professionals and heads of schools must focus on demonstrating this value effectively. By understanding the consumer, emphasizing unique programs and maintaining clear, informative communications, schools can ensure they attract and retain students who see their education as a valuable investment. In the end, value trumps price almost every time. And for schools that master this message, the future looks bright. Join a Future Event – Sponsored by EMforSchools.com, AISAP, and Strategenius Enrollment Management Professionals of Color Summit

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7 Summer Strategies for Advancing Your Enrollment Management Work

Blog, Customer-centric, Enrollment Management High Level, Faculty, Marketing, Recruitment / Claude

Summer might traditionally be seen as the slowest time for schools, but for Enrollment Management Professionals, it’s a crucial period for laying the groundwork for the upcoming academic year. Even if your school is still busy in the summer trying to bring in more applications, you should still fit in a couple of these ideas to enhance your admission program and progress your marketing and recruitment efforts. Let’s dive into the strategies that can make a difference: 1. Data Analysis and Reporting Picture this: it’s a warm summer day, and you’re diving deep into your enrollment data from the previous year. OK, maybe that isn’t how you want to picture yourself on a warm summer day. However, this is your chance to analyze application trends, yield rates, retention numbers, and attrition data. Don’t overlook the full-pay family data. If you’re one of those schools that can lump these numbers together with the aided group, that’s great. But for the majority who can’t afford to ignore this, you’ll find that separating full-pay students can reveal unexpected insights. Comprehensive reporting on these findings can inform your strategic planning and targeted recruitment efforts. 2. Enhancing Marketing Strategies Summer is the perfect time to breathe new life into your marketing materials. Review and refresh your school’s website, brochures, and social media profiles. Highlight unique programs, recent achievements, and student testimonials. Are you addressing the problems, needs, and desires of your prospective families effectively? Refine your messaging to make sure it’s consistent across all platforms, helping them believe that your school can deliver on its promise. 3. Community Engagement and Relationship Building Building strong relationships with feeder schools, community organizations, and local influencers can significantly impact enrollment numbers. Yes, people are on vacation, and some schools close for the summer. But why not entice them with lunch at your school or a guest speaker who can address their challenges? New partnerships lead to increased referrals and a stronger community presence. 4. Professional Development Take advantage of the slower summer pace to attend workshops, webinars, and conferences. Stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in the field. Organizations like the Association of Independent School Admission Professions (AISAP), Independent School Management (ISM), and the Enrollment Management Association (EMA) offer a wealth of programs. Networking with peers and learning from industry leaders can provide new insights and innovative approaches to enrollment management. 5. Planning Open Houses and Tours With the busy school year behind you, summer is the perfect time to plan and organize open houses and tours. These events are critical for showcasing your school’s facilities, culture, and academic programs. Think about what you can do differently this time to increase the value of these programs, particularly when all your competitors are doing open houses and tours too. Ensuring these events are well-organized and engaging can leave a lasting impression on prospective families. 6. Reviewing and Updating Admissions Processes Take a close look at your admissions process to identify any bottlenecks or areas for improvement. Are the questions in your application serving you well? Are there onerous ones for families that aren’t necessary? Is your evaluation matrix working for you? Are you getting consistency among the readers? Simplifying application procedures, enhancing communication with applicants, and ensuring a smooth and welcoming experience can boost applicant satisfaction and conversion rates. 7. Collaborating with Faculty and Staff Engage with faculty and staff to gather feedback on the enrollment process and discuss ways to improve it. Collaboration can lead to new ideas and a more cohesive approach to welcoming new students and families into the school community. So, what’s the real takeaway? It’s about transforming the “slow” summer months into a powerhouse of productivity and preparation. When you focus on these seven strategies—data analysis, marketing enhancements, community engagement, professional development, meticulous planning of open houses, refining admissions processes, and faculty collaboration—you’re not just preparing; you’re setting the stage for unparalleled success.

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