Issue 241

Brendan Schneider
June 02, 2025

PROLOGUE
Another One in the Books

As graduation photos fill your social feeds and that last school bell rings, take a moment to celebrate what you've accomplished this year.

You've been the storyteller, crisis communicator, and brand guardian for the past ten months. You've navigated admissions deadlines, made spirit week look epic, and somehow convinced people that your cafeteria actually serves good food.

While others get to end their "year" in December, you've been working the school calendar – January admission crunch, spring event season, and now summer prep mode.

But here's the thing: those students walking across the graduation stage? Your work helped get them there. The inquiries you generated, the stories you told, the community you built – it all mattered.

So before you dive into summer camp marketing and next year's planning, take a breath. You made it through another year, and you made it count.

Now go enjoy your summer (but keep that phone handy – there's always a parent with a question about fall registration).

Congratulations,
Brendan

What was your biggest marketing win this school year? Hit reply and let me know.

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SCHNEIDERB UNSCHOOLED

I Wasn't Brave—I Was Pushed: The Real Story Behind My Leap to Entrepreneurship

People familiar with the SchneiderB Media story know I started my blog in 2010 and spent years building content before transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship.

RECOMMENDED READING

What Private Schools Get Wrong About Marketing

Within the last week alone, I’ve had three conversations with private-independent school leaders grappling with enrollment declines. And in every one of those conversations, I’ve heard some version of the same story: a plan to trim marketing communications staff, budgets, or both.

isminc.com/marketing-is-not-optional

SEO for AI Mode, per Google

Google's new post on optimizing content for AI answers offers few new tactics but does hint at the future of organic search traffic.

www.practicalecommerce.com/googles-optimization-guidelines-for-ai-mode

21 Fresh Content Ideas for When Your Creative Well Runs Dry

Content creation can sometimes feel like drawing water from an empty well. We've all experienced that frustrating moment when inspiration seems to have

nealschaffer.com/content-ideas

10 Always-On Strategies Every School Needs in Admissions and Marketing

Discover 10 “always-on” strategies to strengthen your school’s admissions and marketing year-round.

www.enrollmentcatalyst.com/2025/05/28/10-always-on-strategies-every-school-needs-in-admissions-and-marketing

13 Signs You Used ChatGPT To Write That

I can spot it from a mile away. Here's how to sound more human.

seanjkernan.substack.com/p/13-signs-you-used-chatgpt-to-write

RECOMMENDED VIEWING

MARCOM JOB

Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications @ Marymount High School

Director of Marketing and Communications to lead institution-wide communications efforts, initiatives, and marketing strategy that advances the school’s mission. The Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications is responsible for the continued development and implementation of an integrated marketing and communication program that encompasses publications, digital media, print materials, and media relations to ensure that communications effectively illustrate and support the mission and strategic objectives of the school. The Director reports to the Head of School, is a member of the Senior Administrative team, and manages Communications Department staff members. This position is responsible for assisting the school in meeting its Admissions and Advancement goals.

jobs.marcomsociety.org/job/director-of-strategic-marketing-and-communications-15

Whenever You're Ready, There Are 4 Ways I Can Help You

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The MarCom Society: Join other school marketing and communication professionals in my membership community, which is designed to help you become a better MarCom professional through training, support, and community. Learn more.

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