One of the most common questions I get, when consulting with private and Christian schools, is: “how do we compete with free?” With the rise of free charter schools, alongside the long-standing challenging of competing with free public schools, tuition-based schools are continually being forced to showcase value for the cost of tuition. Why would a family pay for private education when (if this is the case) the “free” public schools are strong schools? Why would a family choose an expensive private school when new, niche-based charter schools also offer smaller class size?
How will you compete with free?
In this episode, I share with you a handful of responses from a recent audience survey where I asked YOU to share your ideas on how you compete with free. In future content (report, blog article, etc.), I will reveal even more ideas, but episode #51 of the School Marketing Podcast will get us started!
Episode length: 14:29
See action steps below . . .
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Definition of School Marketing:
“Get ideal families to know, like and trust you to build loyal ambassadors for your school.”
As I mention in this episode, Brendan was one of the very first guests of the School Marketing Podcast, sharing that interview space with Dr. Rick Newberry. [Note: the link to that episode is listed in the Action Steps below – but please, keep in mind that it was a long time ago and our inaugural adventure into the world of podcasting, so please listen with a lot of grace!]
So it was only fitting that I have one of them back for the 50th episode of the podcast. Brendan agreed to do it.
** After recording the episode, I sent Brendan a thank you mug for being the Golden Anniversary guest! **
In this episode, Brendan Schneider, Director of Financial Aid and Admission at Sewickley Academy, shares their experience with using webinars in their marketing system. I love this innovative approach! If you are hesitant about trying new things like webinars, remember one of the things that Brendan shares in this interview: “Try it!”
Episode length: 59 minutes
See action steps below . . .
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Excited to share with you an interview with two representatives from Strengthening Christian Schools, whose concept is to build a community of experts in a range of fields, all of whom are passionate about getting every Christian school to the next level.
In this interview, I spend a few minutes with SCS Co-Founder, Mike Vander Berg, where we talk about the purpose of the SCS, the upcoming conference in California (where I will be delivering the keynote address), and on new effort to provide virtual classes to help Christian school administrators.
In the latter part of the episode, Lisa Gutknecht, also with SCS, gives you powerful tips on using a blog for marketing your school.
Episode length: 1 hour, 12 minutes
See action steps below . . .
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Are you struggling to attract new families to your school? Students graduate, they leave for financial reasons, or they move away. Who is going to fill their seat? If you have a waiting pool of students, that’s great. But most schools I talk to around the country are struggling with enrollment declines or large vacancies at certain grade levels. Plus, since this is an ongoing issue, wouldn’t it be nice to have a systematic approach to generating new leads for your school?
In this episode of the School Marketing Podcast (length – 14:29): (more…)
[Scroll to bottom to listen to interview and to visit shownotes of this post for links to items mentioned in this episode]
In this episode of the School Marketing Podcast, I interview Rudi Gesch, Director of Marketing and Enrollment at Eastern Christian School in New Jersey. Eastern Christian School recently launched their Do Life Big video. Like most “school community videos,” and Lip Dubs, Do Life Big features hundreds of smiling, singing, and dancing students from and faculty as they showcase their school’s programs, culture, and facilities, but this has a unique twist that has generated so many comments, social shares, and general “buzz” around the video.
WATCH THE VIDEO
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In this first guest interview on the school marketing podcast of 2015, I interview Peter Baron. Peter is the Senior Product Marketing Manager for Blackbaud’s K12 Group and a founder of edSocialMedia (where I am a contributor AND a loyal follower of the great content by many different contributors).
In addition to regularly blogging about school communications for Blackbaud & WhippleHill, Peter has trained thousands of educators and advancement professionals on how to create engaging content for the social web. Since 2000, Peter has presented at a range of conferences, including CASE/NAIS, WBSA, SSATB, TABS, ISANNE, the Strategic Marketing & Advancement Institute for Independent Schools, and other national and regional events.
In this episode, we review the highlights of a brand new report, released in January 2015, entitled, “Private School Digital Insight: Enhancing Web Navigation and the Rise of Responsive Design” – click here to get your copy of this FREE report!
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