Opening a school is a whole ballgame of its own. You’ll be embroiled in various logistical, legal, and organizational issues. You’ll also have to get the right approvals and build an attractive curriculum and campus. For elementary schools, there is even more to do, because of the liability and safety concerns involved. However, with all this going on, you can’t let marketing slip through the cracks.
When you’re about to open your new elementary school, you should already have spread the word as much as possible. There are a number of marketing ideas you can use to promote your new school and drive up enrollment rates.
Put up posters around town
Advertise your new school with educational posters. Choose a template from PosterMyWall and customize it according to your needs. Then, place these posters on your online marketing mediums and also put up physical versions in frequented areas around town.
Aim for places where parents with young children pass by often. Put up posters near playgrounds, outside grocery stores, or other schools. Parents are likely to catch a glimpse in these areas, and get the basic information they need. Make sure you have relevant information on your poster, such as location, enrollment dates, facilities offered, and more.
Run social media campaigns
Social media campaigns will help you get the most reach possible. So, you need to focus on making the best ones possible. Consider what platforms are popular with parents of young children, and set up profiles there. Make sure your social media profiles have all the relevant information and enrollment links needed.
In addition, make a series of social media posts highlighting your school and what it offers. When enrollment time comes around, run an organized enrollment campaign where you talk about why your school is the best option, and what features you offer.
Host an open house event
An open house event is a great way to showcase your school. In the summer before enrollment starts, organize an event to attract parents. Market this event across all the platforms available to you. This event will give you a chance to show off your campus and showcase your facilities. Make sure you have information packets ready for all visiting parents. Also ensure there are some fun activities for children, so that they can enjoy their potential school.
Have some information sessions, set up some booths, and arrange some refreshments at this open house. You can even partner with local businesses or community organizations and have them set up stalls at this open house. This will help you host a great event and get more audiences through those businesses as well. Look up local parent groups as well, and involve them in this event in some capacity.
Showcase your special features
As an elementary school, you need to have special features to attract parents of young children. These can include special education classes, state-of-the-art play areas, and music or art classes on campus. You can also offer after-school programs for sports, academics, or talents. Of course, you’ll need to tailor these according to elementary school children.
Make sure you highlight each of these features in your marketing collateral. Take good photos and make sure you talk about these features to incoming visitors.
Make video highlights
Video marketing is the top medium these days. So, you should make a few videos of your school, the classrooms, cafeteria, extracurricular facilities and other appealing features. You can also have the principal or prominent teachers make short videos to talk about your school and why it is a good option for parents to consider.
Share these videos on your website and on your social media platforms. Encourage people to share them around as well, in order to get the most exposure.
Send catalogs to relevant parents
Do your research and find out about parents with young children in your area. You can even talk to local town authorities for this purpose. Then, make attractive catalogs to market your school. Send out the catalogs to these parents. Make sure they include all the information about your school, complete with facilities and special features.
Add registration and enrollment information to this catalog too, so that parents can get in touch as soon as possible. Print out these catalogs as well, and give them to any interested parents who drop by. You can even distribute them at local community events.
Participate in community forums
Local forums are some of the best ways to get in touch with your audience. Parents of young children are often active in community groups and are involved in what goes on around town. So, join these forums and promote your school there. Also take a look at common concerns these parents have, and talk about how your school will address them.
In conclusion, there are many ways you can market your new elementary school. All of these require you to know your audience and target them properly, so get started right away.
