As summer approaches, many schools are beginning to think about their pupil recruitment strategies for the next academic year. Organising an open day is a critical way for schools to showcase their strengths, engage with prospective parents and students, and build a lasting impression. When it comes to successfully marketing your open day, however, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s where we come in! In this post, we’ll delve into the power of social media marketing and discuss the best ways to maximise your chance of a successful open day campaign.
Leverage Social Media for Maximum Reach
Harnessing the power of social media is a game-changer in a successful marketing campaign, as these platforms offer unparalleled reach and engagement opportunities. Where better to introduce yourself to prospective parents and students than on the platforms they use every day?
- Event Pages: Create a dedicated page for your open day event and invite current parents, staff and alumni to share it within their networks.
- Sponsored Posts: Utilise Facebook’s comprehensive advertising tools to target local families and community members with precision.
- Live Streams: During the event, live stream key segments like speeches or tours to engage with those who couldn’t attend in person.
- Stories and Reels: Share behind-the-scenes preparations and real-time updates.
- Hashtags: Use relevant hashtags (for example, #OpenDay2024) to increase visibility.
- Engaging Visuals: Post high-quality photos and videos that highlight your school’s facilities, activities, and student life.
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- Countdowns: Create excitement by posting daily countdowns leading up to the event.
- Live Posts: Post live updates and photos during the event to engage your X followers.
- Q&A Sessions: Host sessions where prospective parents and students can ask questions about your open day.
While not strictly a social channel, Google’s broad reach and versatile tools make it a highly effective platform for promoting your event and introducing your school to prospective parents and students in the local area.
- Google Business Profile: Make sure your profile is up to date and use ‘add update’ to create an event compelling parents and students to discover more about your school.
- Google Display Ads: Use visually appealing display ads to capture the interest of potential attendees.
- YouTube Ads: Create video ads to promote your event and reach a wider audience.
More Tips
In addition to a powerful campaign across social media platforms, there are other highly effective means of generating interest in and excitement about your open day. Here are just a few tips.
Email Marketing
Email remains a powerful tool for direct and personalised communication. You can tailor your messages depending on the recipient group (current parents, prospective parents, and alumni). Send a series of reminder emails leading up to the event, including one on the day itself.
Dedicated Event Page
A dedicated event page on your website provides a centralised hub for all information related to the event. You should include the event schedule and an easy-to-use registration form – you could even offer incentives for pre-registration, such as early access to event materials. You can also embed videos, virtual tours and testimonials, as well as address common questions that prospective families may have about the event.
Following Up
The marketing doesn’t have to stop once your open day is over. Continue engaging with attendees to build lasting relationships through personalised thank-you emails and feedback surveys, and after the event, share photos, videos and highlights on your social media channels and website to keep the momentum and conversation going.
Can a Social Media Marketing Agency Help You?
Marketing your school’s open day on social media requires a strategic approach, specialised skills and, most importantly, time.
By partnering with a social media marketing agency, you’ll benefit from their expertise in creating eye-catching artwork, writing compelling copy, and managing targeted paid campaigns. This partnership allows you to focus on what your school does best.
Are We the Agency for You?
We strive to deliver a transparent, client-centred service you can rely on. Our approach is designed to drive your success.
- Collaboration: Our journey starts with open communication. We take the time to get to know you and understand your goals.
- Strategy: We cut through the noise to provide a well-considered plan with clear objectives.
- Action: We craft compelling narratives that showcase your school in a way that captivates parents and students alike.
If you’d like to book a time to chat about your upcoming event and learn how we can help, you can access our booking page here.
Let’s unleash your potential, together.
