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5 Steps for Community Colleges to Implement a Digital ROI Tracking System

In today’s competitive educational landscape, community colleges face the dual challenge of attracting new students while ensuring optimal use of their marketing budgets. The key to overcoming this challenge lies in mastering the art of measuring Return on Investment (ROI) from digital advertising campaigns.

This blog provides a step-by-step guide for how community colleges can enhance their digital advertising effectiveness by implementing an ROI tracking system.

1. Embrace Data-Driven Decision Making

Begin with a commitment to data. Understanding the impact of your marketing efforts on student enrollment starts with a shift towards a data-driven culture within your institution. This approach not only clarifies the effectiveness of each campaign but also illuminates the path to optimizing your strategies for higher returns.

2. Identify Allies and Key Stakeholders

Engaging key stakeholders early is crucial. Present the concept of digital marketing ROI to your board of trustees, finance department, and student services leaders. Highlight how targeted campaigns can lead to measurable increases in enrollment. Additionally, collaboration with Institutional Research (IR) and CRM managers is vital for accessing and interpreting the data necessary for ROI analysis.

3. Leverage Visitor Resolution Software

Utilize website visitor resolution software which identifies the individuals by name and address who hit your dedicated landing pages for your campaigns, or start with a list of names and addresses you are targeting using addressable geofencing. By starting with a list of individuals’ names and addresses, you can follow those individuals to applicant and enrollee status – matching by name or address.For example, a 60 day campaign we ran for Allied Health Programs resulted in 749 applications, with 432 enrollments, showcasing an incredible ROI of 2,462.7%. We were able to calculate this by matching the individual visitors to semester enrollment based on their initial engagement with the digital ad.

4. Simplify ROI Calculation

Calculating the ROI of digital campaigns doesn’t have to be daunting. Tools like HubSpot’s Advertising ROI Calculator simplify this process by allowing you to input variables such as ad budget, conversion rates, and average price per student, offering a straightforward calculation of campaign ROI.

5. Celebrate Success and Scale Up

Once you’ve established a methodology for measuring and achieving positive ROI, it’s time to scale up your efforts. Success stories serve not only as a testament to the effectiveness of your strategies but also as a catalyst for further investment in digital marketing.

Implementing Your Strategy

  • Start Measuring: Begin with any campaign, however small, and start tracking its ROI.
  • Find Partners: Identify allies within your institution who can provide data or support.
  • Share Wins: Communicate your findings and successes within your organization to build support and momentum.
  • Patience is Key: Recognize that establishing a robust ROI measurement process for digital advertising takes time and continuous refinement.

The path to tracking ROI in digital marketing is both a strategic necessity and a transformative opportunity for community colleges. By adopting a data-driven approach, securing internal support, and leveraging technology for targeted campaigns, your institution can unlock significant enrollment growth.

Seeking expert guidance on implementing these strategies? Contact us today to explore how we can help transform your institution’s approach to digital advertising and ROI measurement.

 

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