In the competitive world of education, schools constantly seek innovative strategies to increase admissions and build a stronger brand presence. To address these needs, Univariety launched the “Level Up” webinar series—a platform designed to explore various facets of school marketing and brand success. The series aims to create a dialogue with schools, offering insights into content creation, technology integration, admissions team training, and more.
The first chapter of the series, titled “Level Up Chapter 1: Winning Strategy – 161% Growth in School Admissions,” focused on admissions, a crucial aspect for schools, especially with the new academic year approaching. The webinar featured insights from industry expert Mr. Udayan Verma, Head of Admission & Outreach for MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul, who shared his experiences and strategies that led to an impressive 161% increase in admissions at his institution.
Take a Sneak peek at our Level-Up for Schools winning strategy-
Meet Our Level Up Speaker: Mr. Udayan Verma
Mr. Udayan Verma, the featured speaker, brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. With a background in education and extensive experience in operations, finance, and branding, Mr. Verma has held significant roles at prestigious institutions, including the Jain Group of Institutions, King’s College India, and Apeejay Education Society. His current role at MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul, a renowned IB World School in Pune, has seen him successfully implement strategies that significantly boosted the school’s admissions.
Current Industry Trends in School Marketing
The conversation began with an exploration of current industry trends in school marketing. Mr. Verma, with over two decades of experience, highlighted the major shifts in the education sector:
- Focus on Success Stories: There has been a significant shift from promoting academic marks to highlighting the success stories of alumni. Schools are now focusing on outcomes, showcasing how their education has paved the way for successful careers and lives.
- Rise in International Curriculum: Over the past decade, there has been a 150% increase in the number of schools offering international curricula, reflecting the growing demand for global education standards.
- Digital Dominance: Digital marketing now drives 70% of school admissions, a testament to the increasing importance of online platforms in reaching prospective students and their families.
- Adoption of ERP Systems: The adoption of ERP systems by schools has risen by 40% in the last five years, streamlining administrative processes and enhancing communication between schools and parents.
MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul’s Success Story: 161% Increase in Admissions
The highlight of the webinar was Mr. Verma’s detailed account of how MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul achieved a remarkable 161% growth in admissions. He shared the key objectives of his marketing strategy, which included:
- Data-Driven Decision-Making: Mr. Verma emphasized the importance of collecting and analyzing data to inform marketing strategies. By understanding trends and behaviours, the school could tailor its approach to meet the needs of its target audience.
- Storytelling as a Marketing Tool: Moving away from traditional marketing campaigns that focused solely on academic achievements, Mr. Verma adopted a storytelling approach. By sharing the success stories of alumni, the school created an emotional connection with prospective students and their families, highlighting the real-world impact of the education they offer.
- Technology Integration: The use of digital platforms plays a crucial role in the school’s marketing efforts. From social media campaigns to online webinars, the school leveraged technology to reach a broader audience and engage with them effectively.
- Challenges and Overcoming Them: Mr Verma also discussed the challenges faced during the implementation of these strategies, such as the time taken to convert digital leads into admissions and managing negative leads. However, by staying focused on the objectives and continuously refining their approach, the school was able to overcome these obstacles and achieve its goals.
Level Up Takeaways: Perfect Framework for School Marketing
Towards the end of the session, Mr. Verma provided the audience with actionable frameworks for school marketing, which were divided into two perspectives: external and internal.
The External Perspective:
- Staff Recruitment: Hiring skilled and motivated staff who align with the school’s vision.
- Costs and Budgets: Allocating resources effectively to maximize ROI.
- Management Decision Making: Involving key stakeholders in strategic decisions.
- Google Reviews and Word of Mouth: Leveraging positive reviews and testimonials to build credibility.
The Internal Perspective:
- Alumni Successes: Showcasing the achievements of alumni to highlight the long-term benefits of the school’s education.
- Data Utilization: Using data to drive marketing strategies and track progress.
- Untapped Elements: Identifying and leveraging other unique assets the school may possess.
Level Up for Schools Final Thoughts: A 3-Step Formula for Success
When asked to provide a three-step formula for schools to gear up their marketing and admission strategies, Mr Verma shared the following:
- Research & Data Collection: Gather and analyze data to understand your target audience and market trends.
- Content & Storytelling: Create compelling content that tells the story of your school and its impact on students’ lives.
- Digitization & Automation: Embrace digital tools and platforms to streamline processes and enhance communication with prospective students.
The Outcome & Impact:
The event was indeed successful but to measure our impact with the help of data & statistics we added a feedback form and the response we got was phenomenal. More than 60% of people said “it was helpful” and they wished to connect with Univariety for levelling up their schools as well.
People who joined this session admitted that we have talked about admission strategies that were not talked about in such great detail, and left positive reviews on our after-session feedback form. Take a look at some of them-
Talk To Us!
If you have any questions or would like more information on how Univariety can help your school succeed, you can reach out to us and talk to our experts about your school’s admission needs. Check out our Alumni Engagement Strategy to know more.
Conclusion
The first chapter of Univariety’s “Level Up” series provided invaluable insights into the evolving world of school marketing. With expert advice from Mr Udayan Verma and practical frameworks for implementation, schools now have the tools they need to enhance their admissions strategies and build a stronger brand.
Stay tuned for Level Up Chapter 2, where we will bring another industry expert to share their knowledge and experiences.
Sayantika is a psychology student who likes poetry, music, and movies. Her writing style is engaging, informative, and tailored to the specific needs of each subject. Whether it's blog posts or product descriptions, she knows how to create content that resonates with search engines and human readers.
