Top Takeaways from the 2009 Stamats Adult Student Conference
As you have returned to your busy life at your various institutions please let me take a moment to remind you all of some of the key take aways from the conference and encourage you to use what you have learned to begin to assess your own institutions initiatives surrounding these issues. I realize these are busy times but the “urgency of now” has never been more significant.
First – Web Site – can your target audience identify themselves easily right from the home page? Are you addressing the three things that adults have identified are most important to them when they are compiling their “short list” of institutions to consider – cost, convenience, flexibility.
Second – Recruitment Strategy – is your main goal to build a relationship? Remember that we learned over and over that communication is not about telling them about us, but rather listening to them. Communicating = Listening
Third – Communication Flow – How responsive is your institution being? Timeliness, what you are saying, how you are saying it, and what action you would like your prospective student to take is all part of this.
Forth – Delivery Mode – Is your institution being responsive to what your target market wants as far as program and delivery? This is a difficult issue to address but can easily undermine your marketing and recruitment efforts.
Fifth – Social Media – What are you currently doing and what is your strategic plan to maximize the benefits of social media? As a relatively “new” element of communication for higher education social media is getting a great deal of attention but how intentional are your efforts? Take stock of what you know, and what you need to learn to develop a sound strategy for adding this to your communication efforts.
Also, feel free to join us for further discussions at our community site.
