Gone are the days of traditional student recruitment methods where prospective students contacted admissions offices requesting printed viewbooks. Most research and decision-making processes are now done online, rendering tactics that may have worked in the past ineffective in today’s digital landscape.

The Power of Paid Search

One tactic that has proven to be effective in driving leads and enrollment for community colleges is Paid Search. Utilizing Google Ads PPC (pay-per-click) advertising ensures that your institution appears at the forefront when a prospective student searches for content related to your offerings. The immediate display of tailored ad copy precisely when it matters most maximizes the chances of capturing high-intent prospects who are ready to engage further. This strategy not only boosts lead generation but also encourages prospective students to take action, such as applying or enrolling.

Customizing Campaigns for Targeted Messaging

Paid Search campaigns also offer the flexibility to customize your ad copy to highlight the messaging you want to focus on at that particular moment. For example, if you are looking to boost spring enrollment, you can leverage Sitelink Extensions to direct users straight to the registration page for spring classes. Special programs like “College in High School” and “Early College” can also be promoted effectively through these extensions, highlighting unique opportunities available at your community college.

Efficient Marketing with Limited Resources

Community colleges face unique challenges in executing an effective SEO strategy. For one, the variety of programs they offer requires ranking for a wide range of keywords. Additionally, we understand that in-house marketing teams at community colleges are often operating with limited staff, with individuals wearing many hats. This is where a well-planned PPC strategy can be really beneficial! For example, if your school has a welding program and you’re not ranking high on SERP (search engine results page) for the term “how to become a welder,” you can add that keyword to your PPC strategy to drive immediate traffic to your program pages, resulting in increased interest and leads. This strategy also ensures you’re not solely reliant on organic visits.

Cost-Efficiency of PPC Advertising

PPC advertising is not only effective but also cost-efficient. You only pay when a prospective student clicks on your ad, which then leads them to a specifically targeted landing page. In fact, the average cost per click for our community college clients in March was a mere $0.67. Although community colleges typically have much smaller marketing budgets than four-year institutions, with effective campaign management, they can be a very impactful way of driving leads from prospective students who will apply and enroll at your school.

Why Choose Carnegie as Your Google Premier Partner

As a Google Premier Partner, we’re among the top 3% of Google Partners participants in the U.S. We’re held to the highest standards of excellence, which translates into the most strategic and effective campaigns, ensuring that your community college attracts and enrolls more students.

Ready to Boost Your Enrollment?

Are you ready to transform your community college’s digital marketing strategy and see real results in enrollment and engagement? Contact us today to learn how our tailored digital advertising solutions can help you achieve your recruitment goals. Let’s make your institution the top choice for prospective students!

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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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