Enrollment Marketing Personalization: Tailoring Experiences for Success
Having real, candid conversations with prospective students keeps them engaged and puts your program top-of-mind. With an increasingly online enrollment experience, thousands of candidates, and only so many hours in the day for personal conversations with your staff, it is almost impossible to foster individual relationships with prospects that yield the desired results for both parties. That’s why a range of enrollment marketing personalization techniques should become the next tried-and-true tool in your marketing strategy toolbelt.
As digital natives, your prospective students almost always know when any “personalized” email or postcard is mass-produced with only a few “Dear First Name” touchpoints. When it comes to truly tailoring both your digital and print channels to meet individual student needs, interests, and goals in a way that fosters a feeling of belonging and inclusivity, you must employ a more strategic, tech-powered approach.
Leverage surveys and data analytics
To tailor your messaging to the personal preferences of your audience, you must understand their buying behaviors, where they “shop” for other programs, and what your competition provides that you might not. Investing in market surveys and data analytics tools can help you create more personalized content that nurtures meaningful relationships throughout the buying journey.
Invest in technology
Using CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems and automation platforms intentionally and strategically can help you streamline your enrollment marketing personalization efforts, deliver targeted communications efficiently, engage your prospects more consistently, and save your budget in the long run.
Segment your audience
Identifying key segments within your prospect pool and tailoring your content to their specific needs and interests can help you reach your enrollment goals consistently and efficiently. Segmenting your prospects into stages of the enrollment cycle – whether they haven’t yet applied or have been accepted and have selected your program as a top choice – can help you create impactful lifecycle and content marketing materials that hit home and drive them to the next stage of their buying journey. The more you can divide your pool into specific segments, the more you can create personalized messaging that truly engages people and produces results.
Create a responsive web experience
Prospects visit your website for a wide variety of reasons, from exploring academic offerings to career development support to financial aid inquiries. Ensuring you have a user-friendly, inclusive, and responsive website that reduces frustration maximizes engagement, increases the likelihood that they’ll revisit your site, and helps them navigate the complexities of admissions and financial aid. Using tools like PURLs, AI, and chatbots to field prospect questions and connect them directly to your staff builds trust, differentiates your level of customer service from your competition, and supports your prospects throughout their enrollment journey.
Tech-powered personalization throughout your communications, content, and online or in-person services captures the attention of prospective students far more effectively than generic messaging and demonstrates your commitment to the diverse needs of your prospect pool. Whether it’s through tailored emails, virtual campus tours, or direct mail, personalized interactions build trust with your candidates, simplify their decision-making process, and help you achieve higher conversion and enrollment yields.
Let us help you with enrollment marketing personalization
Ready to talk about the personalization tools that can help you reach your goals in 2024 and beyond? Contact GPRS today so we can discuss your individual needs and walk you through a plan.
