I suspect that most small private schools do not have much money in their sorely stretched budgets for marketing. I further guess that it is also true that most small schools do not have room in their budgets for a full-time marketing person. With those assumptions, let's look at inexpensive ways in which we can market your school effectively.
In most small schools, marketing tasks, such as they are, tend to be rolled into somebody else's portfolio. This article is aimed at those incredibly multifaceted professionals who have to juggle dozens of daily deadlines and still do an excellent job of getting the word out about their school.
What kinds of resources are available to help you market your school effectively? Probably more than you realize. Besides the old standbys such as consultants, books, blogs, and affinity groups, popular social media has become a very influential part of any size school's marketing strategy. We shall look at each resource and see how it fits into your school's budget and schedule.
Consultants
Having an expert review your marketing strategy is like going to the doctor. It will cost you some money, perhaps even a lot of money. You will benefit from years of professional experience and expertise when the consultant makes her recommendations. As a rule, hiring a consultant will not be as expensive as hiring an additional staff member. You will incur a one-time expense. If you plan to retain her services, you will pay a monthly fee. Most of the time, you contract for specific services upfront so that you know what will be done and how much it will cost.
How do you determine which organization to hire? As with any other decision, do your due diligence. Send RFPs (Requests for Proposal) to at least three firms. Interview each one via phone or, better yet, Zoom. In most cases, you won't need anybody to come on-site to do the work you need to be done, so cast your net as widely as you like. The important consideration in hiring a consultant is identifying a professional who understands private schools' mission.
Books
There are dozens of books devoted to marketing non-profits and schools. If your school is not-for-profit, read books about non-profit marketing anyway. Many of the strategies suggested will probably work for you with minor edits and adaptations. A must-read is the NAIS Handbook on Marketing Independent Schools by Kathleen A. Hanson.
Search on Amazon using the search strings "marketing for non-profits" and "marketing private schools" in the Books category. This will yield over 1,110 results. As always, you must eliminate the books that are off-topic or unsuitable for your needs. On the other hand, you should end up with a dozen or so valuable publications.
Read the reviews, too. Not every title that appears in those search results will
Blogs
Use the search string "blogs about marketing for non-profits." Start with the several lists of top blogs for non-profits. Blogs are fresh and immediate. As with any source, be sure to do your due diligence. If what the blogger says is not helpful or not accurate, move on. You will find plenty of help. Create your blogroll for this specific category of blogs so that you won't have to search constantly for the blogs you find helpful.
Affinity Groups
LinkedIn offers you some valuable resources as well. You know how to use LinkedIn Connections. Try searching connections using 'marketing' as your search string. You will have to filter the results carefully, but you should be able to find a couple of possibilities to pursue. Next, change the search parameter to Groups and use the search string "marketing for non-profits," which will produce over 50 groups specific to your requirements.
This video explains why social media is vital to your marketing program.
Social Media
Social media is a 'must have' in any small private school's marketing strategy. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, Flickr, and Pinterest are always there, just waiting to be used. They are wonderfully elastic tools that allow you to say as much as you want or as little. The trick to using social media effectively is to control its use. Always remember that social media offers everybody a window into your school and what it is all about. Members of your school community will enjoy seeing their accomplishments showcased in a Facebook post with a great photograph to illustrate what went on. YouTube allows you to post videos of your school. Interviews with current students, tours of facilities, and short infomercials about your school will reach a broad audience on YouTube effectively and inexpensively. Tweets giving instant updates about a popular game or event will keep your recent graduates involved. Flickr and Pinterest permit you to display photo galleries. Everybody loves photo galleries. That means current families and students, as well as prospective families. Everybody!
Conclusion
As you can see, plenty of resources are available to help you market your private school. Sometimes, you will feel marginalized by the older, established schools. But don't dwell on those negative feelings for long. Your school has its niche and its market. It has its unique message. Use the ideas and assistance available to you to reach your target clientele. Hone your message so that it is as effective as it can be. Get that message out using traditional marketing tools such as email, your website, and the vast array of social media tools available.
Remember: effective marketing is all about controlling your message. Constantly ask yourself, "Is this how I want my school to appear in public?" as you review your marketing materials. Seek out contributions from your entire school community. Control how and when they are used for maximum effect.
One last piece of advice: curate your marketing efforts frequently and consistently. Marketing cannot be an occasional activity. It needs to be curated ideally regularly for the best results. Stale materials on Facebook or YouTube will not present your school in the best possible light.
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