The day-to-day of a school’s MarComm office is similar to a three-ring circus. Each day brings about new challenges and distractions: the PTO wants to change the school logo to incorporate a script font for the auction, a faculty member wants customized digital letterhead, and second grade has a head lice outbreak, again. At times, it’s all too easy for scaling and optimizing marketing approaches to fall by the wayside which is why many schools see great success in outsourcing their digital marketing efforts.
Here’s the thing: to build or maintain a competitive edge in the market, a strong digital presence is more important than ever. When done right, it’s a surefire way to connect with prospective families, showcase what makes your school special, and ultimately, enroll more right-fit students who will thrive at your school.
But with everything else taking priority for a small but mighty team (we see you, school marketing teams), marketing initiatives don’t always make it out of the group chat–or even to the chat in the first place. Believe it or not, many schools have found that the best way to be present day-to-day without easing up on marketing is to outsource digital marketing to a team of experts.
We know, we know. Outsourcing can sound scary. But hear us out! Here’s why partnering with a specialized digital marketing team that understands schools could be the secret weapon your school needs:
1. Expertise at Your Fingertips
Let’s face it, marketing a school is a unique beast. It’s not just about selling a product or service – it’s about conveying the heart and soul of your educational community. A good digital marketing agency will deeply understand the school landscape, the specific challenges you face, and the most effective ways to reach your target audience.
Think of them as an extension of your team – a team with expertise in SEO, social media marketing, content creation, and more. They’ll help you craft a strategic marketing plan that aligns with your school’s goals and gets you the results you’re looking for.
2. Save Time and Money
Building an in-house marketing team can be expensive. You’ll need to factor in salary, benefits, and ongoing training. Outsourcing allows you to tap into a team of experts without the overhead costs. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the time commitment it takes to recruit, train, and manage an internal marketing team.
The agency will handle everything for you, freeing up your valuable time and resources to focus on what you do best: running a fantastic school!
3. Data-Driven Decisions
You’ve probably heard the phrase “data is king (or queen)”. A proficient marketing agency/firm will use granular data analytics to track the real-time performance of your marketing campaigns making adjustments as needed. This ensures you’re getting the most out of your marketing budget and reaching the right families with the right message. Even with a robust in-house marketing department, setting up, managing, and optimizing the performance of a multi-channel digital marketing strategy is a full-time job. Let a great digital marketing partner do it for you so you can focus on the parts of the job you love most!
4. Stay Ahead of the Curve
Let’s be honest: Meta and Google like to change the rules of the game every five minutes. The digital marketing landscape is constantly evolving. An agency will stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices so you don’t have to. They’ll use their expertise to implement cutting-edge strategies to keep your school at the forefront of parents’ minds.
5. Compliance and Peace of Mind
Schools have to navigate a complex web of regulations when it comes to marketing. A specialized agency will be familiar with the ins and outs of educational marketing compliance, giving you peace of mind that your marketing efforts are above board.
Partnering for Success
Outsourcing your digital marketing doesn’t have to feel like handing over the reins. The right agency will work collaboratively with you to understand your unique goals and develop a marketing strategy that reflects the heart and soul of your school.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the marketing burden, don’t be afraid to explore outsourcing. It might just be the secret weapon your school needs to reach new heights!
Heather Burchfield is Truth Tree’s Director of Partner Success focusing her infectious energy on the success of school partners worldwide. Heather hails from a background in journalism before devoting 15 years to independent school admissions and marketing.
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