How do you encourage students to come to your university rather than attending another? Recruiting college students is now easier than ever, but you must use the right tools. It’s not as simple as sending a letter or email to possible candidates. Colleges and universities must put forth an effort to attract students to their campuses. Whether that’s through social media or one-on-one interaction, is up to you.
Use Social Media
Social media can be used in creative ways to make your university stand out from all the rest. It might be a Facebook page where current and potential students interact or it might be YouTube videos that capture the perks of the campus. The key is to create social media that appeals to potential students. If your university is targeting young students, fresh out of high school, create social media campaigns that are fun and energetic. On the other hand, if you’re targeting older, more mature graduate students, create a professional image through social marketing.
Create an App
Apps may seem like a strange concept for a university, but they can help in the recruiting process. For example, apps can be created that allow potential students to tour the campus at their own pace, serving as a virtual tour guide. An app could also be used to provide students with all the needed forms for applying.
Invest in Mobile Websites
Smartphones and tablets are the most popular way for college-aged students to access the internet. If you want to reach these customers, you need to make sure your website will work across a variety of mobile devices. This ensures that you don’t miss out on students who get frustrated by your school’s outdated technology.
Host a Virtual College Fair
Not every student can attend college fairs. It might happen at an inconvenient time or be across the country. The good news is you can host virtual college fairs that allow students around the country to see what your college has to offer without having to attend in person.
Interact One-on-One
Last, but not least, today’s universities cannot afford to be impersonal. Instead of sending a letter, pick up the phone to contact students or the parents of students. When replying to emails, type out an actual response rather than a form-type response. And never, ever use the auto-respond feature that attempts to answer the potential student’s request. Sites like fedena.com can help you to better control your prospects and students so you can interact better, too.
Even the top universities in America have competition. This means you need to be one-step ahead of your competition to recruit students. Instead of waiting for students to come to you, you need to be proactive and go to the students. This can be done through social media, virtual college fairs, and even age-old one-on-one interaction.