Although enrollment targets were being met, Nazlin Hirji, director of the Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, School of Health Sciences, Continuing Education in Toronto, knew more could be done to engage with students and the community, as well as improve customer service.
The program did not have much in terms of a social media presence and communicated primarily through emails, flyers and partner healthcare facilities.
Social media was identified as a new area of focus for the program’s marketing efforts with the aim to provide news, resources, and content that would be compelling to students, potential students, and the healthcare community. They concentrated their efforts on the professionally-focused platform of LinkedIn.
The program planned and executed campaigns such as “Meet,” that highlights the advisors, instructors, support staff, and learning management developers of the department, and the certificate-focused “Pathways” informational campaign. The program also developed student success story, training, and other videos to feature.
The strategic decision to focus efforts on LinkedIn – the most impactful platform for the program – and the thoughtful development of campaigns that focus on content instead of promotion paid off.
Followers increased from 150 to 7,383 in just one year. Enrollments increased 12 percent over the year, revenue increased by 20 percent in the same period, and prospective student inquiries increased by 10 percent. Feedback from LinkedIn followers even led to the creation of new programming.
The program was also able to form new partnerships with healthcare facilities and build mutually beneficial relationships with municipal and corporate retail entities.
Check out the program’s LinkedIn page here.
The techniques used by the School of Health Sciences, CE, can be applied to any professionally-focused programming.
Follow these steps to get started:
- Set a goal and determine what success will look like. Are you looking to engage students, increase awareness or drive registrations? Your goals will help you determine your path going forward.
- Create a timeline. How long will development take? When will you launch and when will you analyze your results? Set deadlines and assign accountability.
- Define your target audience. Who are your ideal customers for this campaign?
- Set a budget for ads and sponsored updates.
- Develop your content. Having all (or most) of your videos, images, emails, and any other content ready at the get-go will make implementation run smoothly.
- Before launching, make sure your social page is in good form. Update your cover photo, make sure your contact information is complete, and get a vanity URL.
- Stay engaged. Starting the campaign doesn’t mean the work is done. You have to stay “social” by posting other content, responding to feedback, and commenting and liking other posts.
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, School of Health Sciences, Continuing Education received a 2018 LERN International Award for Best Marketing for their LinkedIn campaign.