Prologue
Last week, I had two conversations with school MarCom professionals that were a team of one.
Yes, you read that correctly.
A school hired one person to complete an unimaginable amount of work, and the crazy part was that they expected high-quality results, and saying "No" was not an option.
Does this sound familiar?
This situation is a problem that needs to be fixed. Unfortunately, the solution will take time, which isn't very comforting to the professionals living it right now.
In the meantime, I want you to know I see and recognize you.
You are not alone.
Keep working hard and producing great work. We will keep highlighting this situation and finding solutions.
Thanks,
Brendan
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Marketing
Planning your school's 2025 digital presence
Planning a school's digital presence for 2025 requires strategic focus on branding, digital marketing, and website management. In a recent Digistorm webinar, experts shared actionable insights for schools to develop a cohesive digital strategy that resonates with their community and attracts prospective families. Key takeaways include building a strong brand identity that aligns with school values, leveraging digital marketing metrics to drive engagement, and optimizing the school’s website as a central hub for information and interaction. Emerging trends—like authentic storytelling and geotargeting—are also vital to staying competitive and engaging effectively online.
Turning Data into Actionable Insights: The Applicant Funnel
This blog post by Drew Cocco of Clarity focuses on transforming applicant funnel data into actionable enrollment insights, specifically for enrollment managers working with financial aid demographics. Using BatchGeo, a free online mapping tool, Cocco mapped applicant addresses to visualize data like enrollment sources and financial aid demand by geography. This method enabled year-over-year analysis of trends from feeder schools, helping identify areas needing targeted marketing or financial aid strategy adjustments. Cocco underscores how accessible tools can turn data into strategic actions, enhancing enrollment efficiency without requiring costly resources.
AI
A student's guide to using Perplexity Spaces
This guide explores how students can streamline their studies with Perplexity Spaces, a tool designed to organize and enhance learning through collaborative knowledge hubs. Students can create spaces for each course, upload materials, and easily ask questions to find specific answers within their notes or syllabus. Perplexity also offers web search integration, allowing students to discover resources like practice problems, tutorials, and flashcards directly from the platform. Additionally, it supports creating study guides, collaborative group projects, and custom schedules for exam prep, all tailored to each user’s needs. Perfect for managing coursework, Perplexity Spaces saves time, fosters collaborative learning, and provides easy access to personalized study tools.
Technology
Optimizing Website Navigation for Improved User Experience
Design TLC’s article on optimizing website navigation highlights how small schools and nonprofits can enhance user experience by simplifying menus, prioritizing mobile usability, and creating a clear visual hierarchy. Key recommendations include using intuitive labels, incorporating drop-downs thoughtfully, and making critical actions like “Donate” or “Apply” prominent. To ensure accessibility and effectiveness, they advise usability testing with real users. Effective navigation not only aids in engagement but also reinforces trust and fulfills organizational goals by guiding users effortlessly to essential information.
My Latest Post
15 Quick SEO Tips For Improving School Website Rankings
These 15 quick SEO tips for improving school website rankings are practical, effective, and will to help schools optimize their websites.
MarCom Job
Communications Manager @ Seven Hills School
Seven Hills School seeks a collaborative and self-motivated Communications Manager to join our dynamic, energetic school to lead all communication efforts to both internal and external audiences. The Communications Manager will be in-charge of creating and producing high-quality content, written and visual, that engages prospective families and continually builds brand recognition with current families and outside organizations.
SchneiderB Media
Whenever You're Ready, There Are 4 Ways I Can Help You:
Fractional Digital Marketer Program: Our flagship consulting program where we help you get more inquiries by implementing inbound marketing, Google Ads, FB/Insta Ads, SEO, and Blogging for you! Learn more.
SchoolMarketingCRM: My brand new marketing software for schools. This is the software I wish I had when I worked in schools. It handles all of your marketing functions, including landing pages, email automation, reputation management, appointment scheduling, and much more. Learn more.
The MarCom Society: Join other school marketing and communication professionals in my membership community designed to help you become a better MarCom professional through training, support, and community. Learn more.
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Social Media
How to Handle Holiday Greetings and Celebrations on Social Media
Handling holiday greetings on school social media requires careful consideration, especially in diverse communities. #SocialSchool4EDU’s guide suggests two main approaches: opting out of holiday posts to avoid potential offense or embracing them with sensitivity. For districts choosing not to post, consistency is key—focusing instead on school breaks and neutral activities. For those who post holiday content, aligning with the local culture, consulting faith leaders, and focusing on activities rather than direct greetings can create an inclusive environment. This guide encourages schools to tailor their strategy to reflect their community, promoting both respect and engagement.
socialschool4edu.com5 Meta Ads Tests that Transformed My Perspective on Targeting
Jon Loomer’s groundbreaking Meta advertising tests challenge everything marketers thought they knew about audience targeting. His five experiments reveal that Meta’s AI-driven Advantage+ Audience outperforms traditional targeting methods, with remarketing occurring naturally without specific inputs. The surprising discovery that 74% of ad spend reached beyond intended target audiences led Loomer to embrace a simpler, AI-driven approach that delivered superior results with less effort.
jonloomer.com