Summer break is traditionally seen as a time for relaxation and preparation for the upcoming academic year. However, in today’s digital age, maintaining an active and engaging online presence during this period is crucial for universities. This blog post explores digital marketing tips during the summer break, ensuring universities stay connected with prospective and current students, alumni, and the broader academic community.
Revamp and Update the Website
The university website is often the first point of contact for prospective students and their families. Use the summer break to:
- Update Content: Ensure all information is current, including admission requirements, course offerings, and faculty profiles.
- Enhance User Experience: Simplify navigation, improve load times, and make sure the site is mobile-friendly.
- Highlight Success Stories: Feature recent graduate achievements, faculty research, and student projects.
Engage Through Social Media
Social media platforms offer a dynamic way to stay connected with the university community. Strategies include:
- Regular Updates: Share news, events, and stories regularly. Use a mix of posts, videos, and stories to keep content varied and engaging.
- Interactive Content: Create polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions to encourage interaction. Live streaming events or campus tours can also attract attention.
- Alumni Spotlights: Feature alumni success stories to inspire current and prospective students.
Email Newsletters
Email remains a powerful tool for direct communication. Use newsletters to:
- Inform and Update: Provide updates on campus news, upcoming events, and important deadlines.
- Highlight Achievements: Showcase student, faculty, and alumni accomplishments.
- Personalise Content: Segment your audience (prospective students, current students, alumni) and tailor content to their interests.
Virtual Events and Webinars
With the growing acceptance of virtual interactions, universities can host:
- Virtual Open Houses: Give prospective students and their families a taste of campus life through virtual tours and information sessions.
- Webinars: Host academic discussions, career workshops, and alumni panels to engage with different segments of the university community.
- Online Workshops: Offer skill-building workshops that can benefit students academically and professionally.
Content Marketing and Blogging
Maintain an active blog to drive engagement and showcase the university’s thought leadership. Topics can include:
- Student and Faculty Experiences: Personal stories and interviews.
- Research Highlights: Summaries of recent research and its impact.
- Campus Life: Insights into student activities, clubs, and organisations.
- Career Guidance: Tips and advice from career services.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Improve your online visibility by optimizing your digital content for search engines:
- Keyword Research: Identify and use relevant keywords in your website content, blog posts, and social media.
- Quality Content: Create valuable, informative, and engaging content that attracts and retains visitors.
- Backlinks: Encourage partnerships and collaborations that lead to backlinks from reputable sites.
Online Community Building
Foster a sense of community online through:
- Forums and Groups: Create online forums or social media groups where students, alumni, and faculty can interact.
- Engagement Initiatives: Run contests, challenges, and discussion threads to keep the community active and engaged.
- Support Systems: Provide virtual support services for academic, emotional, and career-related needs.
Monitoring and Analytics
Track and analyse your digital efforts to understand what works best:
- Social Media Analytics: Monitor engagement metrics to refine your strategy.
- Website Analytics: Use tools like Google Analytics to track visitor behaviour and identify areas for improvement.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Encourage feedback through surveys and social media to understand your audience’s needs and preferences.
Conclusion
The summer break is an opportune time for universities to bolster their digital presence and communication strategies. By leveraging the power of online platforms and engaging content, universities can stay connected with their community, attract prospective students, and reinforce their brand image. Embrace these strategies to ensure your university remains vibrant and engaged, even when the campus is quiet.
Thanks for taking the time to read our blog post on digital marketing tips for universities during the summer break. At faethe.marketing we have been helping schools to get more students through effective digital marketing year-round. So if you are looking to recruit more students for your programmes with minimal cost and effort, feel free to reach out to us.