1) Send event reminders and alerts
So your students don’t read their emails? Well, that’s nothing new! Students are bombarded with emails daily and while email does have its place, technology has driven students to new channels. But why? It’s pretty simple:
- Emails can easily get trapped in spam filters
- Students identify email as formal and boring
- Gen Z are used to the immediacy of notifications from apps like Facebook and TikTok
Text messaging is, by its very nature, more personal. In fact, according to University Business, two-thirds of incoming college students and their parents find text messages with key information or important dates helpful.
Many colleges have had to announce quick changes due to COVID – moving events from on-campus into a hybrid model. As a student, it can be hard to keep track. Sending text message notifications and alerts ensures students see urgent or time-sensitive information (Just like Courtney said 👆). By texting students you will improve each student’s overall experience.
2) Design the perfect event communication plan
How many times have you been invited to a party or dinner or an event, and you forgot about it?
A lot. We’ve all been there but we don’t want the same to happen to your prospective students. Your success depends on your ability to communicate with students, and a good communication strategy creates the best results.
You’ve done the hard part. You’ve balanced the organizing of the event, completed the pre-event marketing, sent the famous invites and you’ve seen those registrations for your event flood in! But make sure you don’t forget about the reminders – it’s now time to maximize the key moments before the event.
- 1st reminder: 1 week before the event
- 2nd reminder: 1 day before the event
- 3rd reminder: 1 hour before the event
- 4th reminder: 5 minutes before the event
Now that you’ve planned what should happen, automate it! Make sure you have the right software in place to automatically trigger every reminder and email so that you can focus on the valuable work! Sending your event reminders at the right time can increase attendance and decrease no-shows.
3) Cut through the noise. Personalize your communication.
Despite being digital natives, students are seeking out real connections more than ever. They have so much information at their fingertips, it can be overwhelming. So, any steps your institution can take to save time by providing relevant information makes a lot of sense from a recruitment perspective.
Admissions counselors are the first point of contact a student has in the recruitment process but ensuring that the energy and personality from your admissions team continues through the communications that follow will really make you stand out from the crowd.