Key Takeaways:
- Liaison lately hosted a webinar to share the outcomes of its 2024 Inquiry Response Undertaking, a longitudinal examine analyzing faculty and college inquiry response charges. It revealed that many faculties aren’t doing sufficient to interact potential candidates.
- “Secret buyers” visited 432 colleges’ web sites, looking for inquiry varieties, submitting them, and monitoring responses.
- Fewer than half of these colleges had easy-to-find inquiry choices.
- Almost 75% replied with generic thank-you messages.
- However, colleges comparable to Concordia College Texas maintain college students engaged by responding rapidly, directing college students to a customized microsite, providing extra calls-to-action, and using omnichannel communication methods.
- “Should you’re not first, you’re final.”
Successfully responding to college students’ inquiries could make all of the distinction in capturing their consideration and in the end enrolling them at your establishment. But many schools and universities nonetheless make use of outdated methods that threaten to undermine their objectives and long-term success.
A current examine performed by Liaison—The 2024 Inquiry Response Undertaking—concerned “secret buyers” visiting the net pages of 432 colleges and gauging their responses to undergraduate pupil inquiries. It revealed 4 key methods that profitable colleges are utilizing to interact potential college students and keep forward of the competitors.
Upon completion of the examine, Liaison hosted an eye-opening webinar—Stand Out From the Crowd: Inquiry Response Strategies That Work—to share classes realized and finest practices with friends within the greater schooling group.
The webinar was hosted by Dr. Elaina Jackson, vice chairman of enrollment administration, advertising and communications at Concordia College Texas and Mondy Brewer, AVP of enrollment technique at Liaison. Right here’s what they talked about:
Be Accessible
Step one in efficient inquiry response is guaranteeing that college students can simply entry the data they’re looking for. The examine discovered that solely 41% of faculties surveyed had a request for data (RFI) kind prominently displayed on their homepage, making it easy for college kids to provoke contact. Typically talking, limiting the RFI kind to 5 to seven required fields creates a streamlined course of that encourages completion. Nonetheless, the work doesn’t finish as soon as a pupil submits the shape.
The examine additionally revealed that 74% of faculties offered a generic thank-you message, failing to capitalize on the coed’s preliminary curiosity. Concordia University Texas, then again, understands the significance of retaining college students engaged. By directing them to a customized microsite and providing extra calls-to-action, Concordia Texas has been capable of keep momentum and maintain potential college students .
Be Quick
In right this moment’s fast-paced world, college students anticipate speedy responses to their inquiries. In response to the Nationwide Affiliation for School Admission Counseling, 52% of scholars enroll on the establishment that contacts them first, underscoring the necessity for speedy responses. Whereas extra colleges are responding instantly, the Liaison examine additionally revealed a regarding pattern: 10% fewer colleges had been responding throughout the first hour in comparison with earlier years. The general decline in well timed follow-up is especially troubling, as 38% of faculties failed to reply throughout the first two weeks.
Through the webinar, Dr. Jackson emphasised the urgency of well timed responses, noting, “Should you’re not first, you’re final.”
In different phrases, by prioritizing speedy response occasions, establishments can achieve a aggressive edge and show their dedication to potential college students.
Be Related
Relevancy is vital with regards to participating potential college students. Establishments tailoring their messaging to particular person college students’ pursuits can anticipate to see will increase in engagement and inquiry numbers. This customized strategy stands in stark distinction to the generic, one-size-fits-all communications that 49% of faculties despatched.
Concordia Texas exemplifies the ability of related communication. By incorporating the coed’s identify, meant main, and different particular pursuits into its outreach, Concordia Texas was capable of create a extra significant connection and showcase its understanding of every pupil’s wants and aspirations.
Use A number of Channels
In right this moment’s digital panorama, relying solely on electronic mail is now not sufficient.
For its half, Concordia Texas has embraced a multi-channel technique, using customized print supplies, social media, and digital advertising to succeed in college students the place they’re. By making a cohesive, omnichannel expertise, Concordia Texas demonstrates its dedication to assembly the wants of recent learners and standing out in a crowded market.
Placing Idea Into Apply
The methods outlined on this examine should not merely theoretical—they’re being put into follow with nice success by establishments like Concordia Texas. Prioritizing availability, pace, relevancy, and multi-channel engagement makes it doable to seize the eye of potential college students and in the end drive elevated enrollment. As you consider your inquiry response processes, contemplate the way you measure as much as your rivals—and the way you might do a greater job of addressing the wants of your faculty and the scholars you need to enroll.
To study extra findings from the Inquiry Response Undertaking, watch the on-demand recording of Stand Out From the Crowd: Inquiry Response Strategies That Work now.
Need to see your establishment’s scorecard from the Inquiry Response Undertaking? Complete this form to obtain pattern supplies from an omnichannel marketing campaign. A Liaison crew member may also attain out to debate our findings and proposals after secret buying your establishment.