What is the Best Way to Recruit Students?
Recruiting students is essential to your school's success, but there are a number of different strategies to consider. These can include social media, text messaging, virtual tours, in-person visits, and live chats with admissions officers.
Text marketing
Using text marketing in the recruitment process can help you connect with students. Text messages have a high open rate, which means that most students will read them. They also offer a personal connection with the recipient, which can make a big impact in the recruitment process.
When sending texts to students, make sure you obtain explicit consent. The best way to do this is to use a link to an opt-in form. You can also embed an opt-in form on your website or in your admission package.
Texts can be used to remind students of important events, such as admissions deadlines, or to schedule appointments. Reminders also offer a great opportunity to create a personal connection with the student. You can even use texts to encourage participation in campus-wide activities.
In-person visits
Visiting colleges is an important step in the application process. It shows the college that you have an interest in their campus and that you want to be a part of their student body. It is also an opportunity to learn about their academic and extracurricular opportunities.
It is also important to plan your visit ahead of time. Many schools have special open houses and information sessions for specific interest groups. You should research all of these events to ensure you have a full understanding of them.
Some schools also have a webinar series that gives students a deeper look at the program. They can also participate in creative webinars that give them a hands-on experience. These programs allow students to interact with students in real time, which can help them to make a stronger case for enrolling in the program.
Social media outlets
Whether you're recruiting students online or off, social media can be a powerful tool. It's a way to connect with your students and build your institutional reputation. It's also a great way to show off your campus and campus life.
According to the RNL survey, sixty-five percent of prospective online students use social media to learn about their program. Five years ago, selfies were considered a red flag by recruiters. These days, recruiters aren't as concerned about this.
Another way to use social media is to host discussions. Using Twitter or Facebook groups is a great way to engage students. You can also use video to discuss complicated topics. Video content gets about 135% more engagement on Facebook than other types of content.
You can also use Instagram to engage students. Create an account that focuses on your campus life, student life, and local attractions.
Live chats with admissions officers
Recruiting students is one of the most important tasks in higher education. Creating an effective communication strategy can help colleges attract students who are aligned with their values. While students choose a college for their individual reasons, they are more likely to enroll at a school that makes the process easier.
Live chats with admissions officers are one way to connect students with school staff. This type of communication is highly effective in generating instantaneous conversations. It also helps to set schools apart from their competitors.
According to EAB's Madeleine Rhyneer, virtual events offer prospective students a greater sense of access. They are also a good way to call attention to great alumni.
For example, Carleton University's Carleton360 initiative allows prospects to customize their experience and engage with the school. Prospects can read articles, watch videos, and view events.
Virtual tours and webinars
Creating virtual tours is a great way to recruit students. Not only does it add a little personality to an organization, it can also provide students with a glimpse of what they can expect to encounter once they are a part of the college community.
One of the most important things a university can do is to create a website. Not only is the website the first place a prospective student goes to learn about the institution, it is also the most influential information source for parents.
In addition to the website, virtual tours are also an important part of the recruitment funnel. They can be used to increase campus visits, encourage orientation sign-ups, and engage students on other schools' wait lists.
Aside from the website and virtual tours, another way to engage with prospective students is through user-generated content. By inviting current students to create content such as a virtual tour of campus, student ambassadors can increase their exposure and drive more clicks. To learn more, please contact Maki People.