The education landscape is constantly changing, presenting an ever-evolving catalogue of challenges. Whether you are faced with declining pupil numbers, or preparing for a National Curriculum review, one thing is certain: nothing stands still for long. The same applies to school marketing strategies; with social media, AI and a whole host of digital tools, schools must be ready to adapt their marketing strategies in order to remain competitive.
What can you do right now?
💭 Social Media
Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube are no longer used just for entertainment. Now, they are powerful tools, enabling schools to connect with students, parents and the wider community. If you’re facing challenges such as low pupil numbers, local ads targeting specific postcodes can highlight your school’s USP. Your school must utilise these tools if you want to fully engage with your community.
💻 Website
Are you proud of your website? Does your website represent the standards you maintain in school? Often, the first place someone will go to find out more about your school is your website - as such, it needs to be tip-top! You must ensure that your website is easy to navigate, and that it visually represents your school effectively. Why not have a high-quality video looping on your home screen? MDM have a proven track record of producing exactly this type of video - with great results.
🎬 Video
Video is king in the online world - and an excellent way of showcasing your school’s USPs. There is no better way to get your message across to your audience – tell a story that your community wants to hear. We understand that video can seem a very expensive option, but we work with schools to reduce costs, making them affordable without sacrificing quality.
So, what does the future hold for school marketing?
📈 Data
We already have access to a huge amount of data from social media use and website visits. However, with the advent of AI, we are able to quickly and effectively delve into this data to work out what is working - and what isn’t. Using data to target parents in specific postcodes allows you to reach your audience and place appropriate ads, or to deliver suitably meaningful content, maximising engagement.
🤖 AI
The ‘dreaded AI’ was obviously going to be mentioned at some point. Artificial Intelligence is going to shape our future, whether we like it or not. AI-powered tools can automate tasks, analyse data, and personalise campaigns for us, reducing the cost to the school. We are also seeing the introduction of Chatbot Companions, AI chatbots that can provide instant support and answer questions 24/7. Imagine not having to direct parents to the school calendar page on your website every day!
✨ Virtual and Augmented Reality:
This is something that we at MDM are very excited about - and we are dedicated to keeping ahead of the curve . Immersive experiences, like virtual and augmented reality, will revolutionise school marketing – it will allow your community to tour your school virtually, soaking up the energy of the school. We are some way off being able offer this right now, but there is no doubt that this will be the ‘Open Morning’ of the future. That being said, there really isn’t any better way of marketing your school than getting someone through the door!
🎥 Live Streaming
Real-time events like virtual open days and webinars will allow you to connect with a wider audience. Again, the ability to offer different options will only strengthen a school’s ability to market itself effectively.
How do we stay ahead?
🤝 Partner with MDM
The key to staying relevant and up-to-date with these changes is to work with a trusted partner. Working with Mitchell Digital Media Ltd means you don’t need to keep your finger on the pulse: we do it for you. Our expert team provide advice and resources to ensure your school always puts its best foot forward. We are an agency with access to in-house videographers, designers, social media experts and wordsmiths. We lean upon each other to get the best for all of our schools; whilst every school is allocated its own dedicated Account Manager, the whole team are available to ensure that your school’s needs are met as effectively as possible.
💥 Embrace Technology
Change is scary and not all change is good - but embracing evolving technology and trends will mean that your school stands in front of the rest, giving you access to the pupils and families you want to attract. It will show your community that you are investing in the future and taking technological change seriously. Don’t be a Luddite!
🤩 Be Bold
By investing in your marketing strategy and adapting to the changing landscape, your school can position itself for long-term success.
Ready to take your school's marketing to the next level? Let's chat! ⭐
T: 01249 588228 // E: info@mitchelldigitalmedia.co.uk
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