Deciding where to go to college is one of the most important life choices that a young person will ever make, so most invest a lot of time and energy in the selection process. They evaluate different options while comparing the best schools to one another, and they do it online.
Investing in a solid content marketing strategy will ensure your school appears on an eager student’s radar (and stays there). Here’s a closer look at some of the biggest benefits that content marketing for universities brings to the table.
Content marketing improves your SERP rankings
Ultimately, it won’t matter how great the social phone number list culture or scholarship programs are at your school if prospective students don’t even know you’re out there. Young people rely on the internet to deliver most of their answers, and Google is the first place they’ll go to start researching colleges.
That said, more than 25 percent of search engine users click the very first result on a Search Engine Results Page. And clickthrough rates decline dramatically as you scroll down the list, so the higher your website ranks, the better.
Content marketing helps deliver the SERP rankings you deserve.
Content marketing positions your school as an authority
Although choosing a college can be genuinely exciting for a young person, it’s also a stressful process. Tomorrow’s university students have a lot of burning questions that need answers today, and content marketing can help ensure they look to you for the information they desire.
Content marketing supports a positive brand image
A university is more than a place for people to further their education and improve their futures. It’s also a brand with an image, a voice, and a reputation to cultivate. And the more familiar a brand is to a particular person, the more likely they are to choose that brand when they’re ready to move forward with a decision.
Content marketing for universities supports higher rates of brand recognition among your students and their families. People also perceive brands in a more positive way when they provide helpful information on demand.
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Developing a Content Marketing Strategy the thickness of the finishing for Student Attraction
So, how exactly should a university go about developing an effective content marketing strategy? Here are some tips to get you started in the right direction.
Know your audience
Effective content is material that successfully addresses the needs of its target audience. So, what is your ideal student actually like? How old are they, where do they live, and what are they generally looking for in a university?
Use the answers to questions like these to create target personas, and craft your content to match their needs and interests.
Start a blog
Search engines like Google favor frequently thailand lists updated websites that are full of meaty, helpful content. And one of the most effective ways to make sure your site fits the bill is to add a blog.
Develop a content production schedule for your blog and stick to it. Coordinate it with your social media posting schedule for the best results. Use keyword research to learn what your prospective students search for, and create posts that address their needs in unique, original ways.
Incorporate storytelling into your strategy
People love nothing more than a good story, and it’s not hard to see why. Stories help an audience feel involved and invested in the content they consume, and successful brands know how to tell them well.
