Key Takeaways:
- Liaison just lately hosted a webinar to share the outcomes of its 2024 Inquiry Response Undertaking, a longitudinal research analyzing faculty and college inquiry response charges. It revealed that many colleges aren’t doing sufficient to have interaction potential candidates.
- “Secret customers” visited 432 faculties’ web sites, trying to find inquiry kinds, submitting them, and monitoring responses.
- Fewer than half of these faculties had easy-to-find inquiry choices.
- Almost 75% replied with generic thank-you messages.
- Alternatively, faculties comparable to Concordia College Texas preserve college students engaged by responding rapidly, directing college students to a customized microsite, providing further calls-to-action, and using omnichannel communication methods.
- “For those who’re not first, you’re final.”
Successfully responding to college students’ inquiries could make all of the distinction in capturing their consideration and in the end enrolling them at your establishment. But many faculties and universities nonetheless make use of outdated methods that threaten to undermine their targets and long-term success.
A current research performed by Liaison—The 2024 Inquiry Response Undertaking—concerned “secret customers” visiting the online pages of 432 faculties and gauging their responses to undergraduate scholar inquiries. It revealed 4 key methods that profitable faculties are utilizing to have interaction potential college students and keep forward of the competitors.
Upon completion of the research, Liaison hosted an eye-opening webinar—Stand Out From the Crowd: Inquiry Response Methods That Work—to share classes realized and greatest practices with friends within the larger training neighborhood.
The webinar was hosted by Dr. Elaina Jackson, vice chairman of enrollment administration, advertising and communications at Concordia College Texas and Mondy Brewer, AVP of enrollment technique at Liaison. Right here’s what they talked about:
Be Obtainable
Step one in efficient inquiry response is guaranteeing that college students can simply entry the data they’re looking for. The research discovered that solely 41% of faculties surveyed had a request for data (RFI) type prominently displayed on their homepage, making it easy for college students to provoke contact. Typically talking, limiting the RFI type to 5 to seven required fields creates a streamlined course of that encourages completion. Nonetheless, the work doesn’t finish as soon as a scholar submits the shape.
The research additionally revealed that 74% of faculties offered a generic thank-you message, failing to capitalize on the scholar’s preliminary curiosity. Concordia College Texas, alternatively, understands the significance of retaining college students engaged. By directing them to a customized microsite and providing further calls-to-action, Concordia Texas has been capable of preserve momentum and preserve potential college students .
Be Quick
In right now’s fast-paced world, college students count on fast responses to their inquiries. In line with the Nationwide Affiliation for Faculty Admission Counseling, 52% of scholars enroll on the establishment that contacts them first, underscoring the necessity for fast responses. Whereas extra faculties are responding instantly, the Liaison research additionally revealed a regarding development: 10% fewer faculties had been responding throughout the first hour in comparison with earlier years. The general decline in well timed follow-up is especially troubling, as 38% of faculties failed to reply throughout the first two weeks.
Throughout the webinar, Dr. Jackson emphasised the urgency of well timed responses, noting, “For those who’re not first, you’re final.”
In different phrases, by prioritizing fast response occasions, establishments can acquire a aggressive edge and display their dedication to potential college students.
Be Related
Relevancy is essential in relation to participating potential college students. Establishments tailoring their messaging to particular person college students’ pursuits can count on to see will increase in engagement and inquiry numbers. This customized strategy stands in stark distinction to the generic, one-size-fits-all communications that 49% of faculties despatched.
Concordia Texas exemplifies the facility of related communication. By incorporating the scholar’s identify, supposed main, and different particular pursuits into its outreach, Concordia Texas was capable of create a extra significant connection and showcase its understanding of every scholar’s wants and aspirations.
Use A number of Channels
In right now’s digital panorama, relying solely on e mail is now not sufficient.
For its half, Concordia Texas has embraced a multi-channel technique, using customized print supplies, social media, and digital advertising to succeed in college students the place they’re. By making a cohesive, omnichannel expertise, Concordia Texas demonstrates its dedication to assembly the wants of recent learners and standing out in a crowded market.
Placing Concept Into Apply
The methods outlined on this research should not merely theoretical—they’re being put into apply with nice success by establishments like Concordia Texas. Prioritizing availability, pace, relevancy, and multi-channel engagement makes it doable to seize the eye of potential college students and in the end drive elevated enrollment. As you consider your inquiry response processes, take into account the way you measure as much as your rivals—and the way you might do a greater job of addressing the wants of your college and the scholars you need to enroll.
To study extra findings from the Inquiry Response Undertaking, watch the on-demand recording of Stand Out From the Crowd: Inquiry Response Methods That Work now.
Wish to see your establishment’s scorecard from the Inquiry Response Undertaking? Full this manner to obtain pattern supplies from an omnichannel marketing campaign. A Liaison crew member may also attain out to debate our findings and proposals after secret procuring your establishment.
