Three Digital Strategies to Attract Non-traditional Learners

Month: August 2023

From our colleagues at Jenzabar

Many colleges and universities across the country are building non-traditional programs to attract new learners and overcome enrollment challenges. They’ve read industry reports and survey results, consulted in-house analytics and local businesses, and have even hired faculty and created curricula. Now, they are sitting down to undertake the final, and often most challenging, step: marketing these programs to non-traditional learners.

So, how can institutions effectively market courses to non-traditional students? Continue reading the Jenzabar Blog to discover three digital strategies you may want to consider.


Support Your Yield Goals With Personalized Portals and Microsites

Month: August 2023

Spark451 Media RelationsBy Spark451 Media Relations|August 15, 2023

As you know, students are applying to more colleges than ever in their college search process. To maximize yield efforts, colleges and universities must leverage CRM portals and microsites to offer personalized engagement to admitted students and their parents. Shoring up communication tactics, microsites/portals, and marketing campaigns for both students and families is critical to keeping your institution top of mind — and user-friendly for tech-savvy generations.

During SparkThink@JAM 2023, Spark451’s Senior CRM Strategist Ed Flaherty teamed up with Brewton-Parker College’s Associate VP of Admissions and Retention, Michael P. Moran, M.Ed., to discuss “Maximizing Engagement of Admits and Parents With Personalized Portals and Microsites.” Here are some of the key tips they offered during their session:

Leverage Your CRM

Whether you’re using Slate portals, Element451 Microsites, Salesforce Communities, or an SIS or homegrown solution, creating a personalized, engaging, and responsive space to share succinct information will help keep admitted students and families organized, excited, and engaged.

Get Personal and Keep It Fresh

To keep students engaged, prioritize sharing relevant content, such as program and funnel stage-specific information and next steps. Also, be sure to share resources that are available on campus; add options to interact with students, faculty, and staff; and be sure to change content over time so that prospective students and their families will be compelled to come back again and again. After all, a student may log into your application status portal a dozen times until their decision is released — once they are admitted, you can conditionally display new, fresh, and hyper-personalized content creating a whole new experience in a comfortable space.

Engage Parents

Think about ways to engage parents that work best for your tech abilities and systems. Here are a few things to try:

  • Create email communications delivering parent-centric information (housing, deadlines, resources on campus, plus financial aid and ROI)
  • Create a separate or shared portal space and encourage students and families to visit your portal/microsite together
  • Consider deploying parent surveys, mailings, or other engagement tactics to keep parents feeling connected to your institution

Avoid Pitfalls

To make sure that your microsite or portal is functioning optimally, be sure to:

  • Test the site as much as possible
  • Test the user experience (Share it with student workers or current students to test and break)
  • Make sure it is mobile friendly
  • Check for outdated content regularly
  • Don’t let it get stale — share new videos, stats, and update staff contact information as turnover happens

Let Us Help

If you’re looking for additional ways to optimize your microsite or portal, please reach out to us to discuss your goals. Our experienced team of enrollment marketing strategists and CRM strategists will be happy to help you devise a path forward!

This is just a small taste of all that was discussed during this year’s conference. To dive in further, save the date and join us at SparkThink@JAM 2024!

SparkThink @JAM 2024

Wednesday, May 29–Friday, May 31, 2024
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center Dallas, TX

This is just a small taste of all that was discussed during this year’s conference. To dive in further, save the date and join us at SparkThink@JAM 2024!

SparkThink @JAM 2024

Wednesday, May 29–Friday, May 31, 2024
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center Dallas, TX