Category: social media marketing

2025 Education Marketing Strategies for Success

Reading Time: 8 minutes

Education marketing is poised for a transformative shift in 2025. As technological innovations accelerate and global competition intensifies, schools, colleges, and universities must adopt strategies that meet the evolving expectations of prospective students.

If you’re new to educational marketing or administration, you may benefit from a working definition of the topic we’re exploring. What is education marketing? Education marketing promotes educational institutions, programs, and services to prospective students, their families, and other stakeholders.

It involves creating targeted campaigns that address the unique needs, aspirations, and challenges of prospective learners. At its core, education marketing is about building trust, showcasing value, and creating meaningful connections that align an institution’s offerings with the goals of its audience.

This blog, inspired by insights from the webinar Staying Ahead in 2025: Top Education Marketing Strategies for Success, explores the key trends and actionable strategies to help educational institutions thrive in this dynamic environment. Let’s explore!

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Great Expectations: What Prospects Are Looking for in 2025

Prospective students in 2025 demand education marketing efforts that resonate with their individual aspirations, challenges, and goals. Personalization has become a non-negotiable element of successful marketing, requiring institutions to deliver tailored messages across diverse platforms. Students value authenticity and transparency, seeking honest communication about program costs, outcomes, and career prospects.

Social proof is more influential than ever. Reviews, testimonials, and user-generated content (UGC) have become vital tools in building trust and credibility. Institutions that effectively showcase authentic student experiences on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube can connect with audiences on a deeper level, cutting through generic promotional noise.

With over 70% of initial student engagement occurring online, a robust digital presence is critical. Schools with interactive websites, active accounts, and engaging virtual events stand out in an increasingly competitive global market. The ease of accessing information about institutions worldwide has raised the stakes, emphasizing the need for innovative and standout marketing strategies.

Source: HEM

Are you seeking strategies for a future-oriented education marketing plan? Reach out to learn about our specialized digital marketing services!

Leveraging AI for Personalization and Automation

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing education marketing by enabling personalized and efficient communication. In 2025, institutions will be using AI-driven tools to deliver highly targeted content and streamline engagement processes.

AI-powered email marketing has proven to boost open rates and increase revenue per email by analyzing prospective student data. Dynamic segmentation, which groups students based on behaviours like website visits and social interactions, allows institutions to craft campaigns aligned with individual journeys.

Example: Putting prospects into groups based on their site usage as pictured below is the first step in dynamic segmentation. What comes next? Program your CRM system to update segments as prospects progress through the enrollment process, and finally, use automation tools (ideally integrated into your CRM program) to send follow-up messages after interactions like webinar attendances or program page visits. Amidst many competitors, you must stay fresh in the minds of your prospective students.

Source: HEM

Chatbots are emerging as indispensable tools for managing routine inquiries. Capable of handling up to 80% of these interactions, chatbots provide instant, tailored responses that improve lead-to-application conversion rates. From guiding students to specific program pages to assisting with application processes, chatbots reduce administrative strain while enhancing user experience. For international students, multi-language support ensures inclusivity and accessibility.

Example: Use Chatbots intentionally like the University of Windsor did below. Site visitors are asked with whom they would like to connect and are sent to a page where they can select the right person to meet their needs. This allows for a customized, self-directed experience.

Source: University of Windsor

Predictive analytics, another AI-driven innovation, enables institutions to anticipate prospective student needs. By analyzing past behaviors, institutions can proactively craft campaigns that address concerns and guide students toward enrollment.

By analyzing historical data such as website interactions, email engagement, and application trends, predictive analytics identifies patterns that signal a prospective student’s likelihood to take specific actions, such as submitting an application or attending an open house.

This technology allows institutions to craft highly targeted campaigns that address common concerns, deliver timely follow-ups, and provide personalized recommendations. Predictive analytics can be applied across various channels, including email marketing, chatbot interactions, and digital advertising platforms, making it a versatile tool for improving enrollment outcomes and optimizing the student journey.

Optimizing Digital Advertising Strategies

Digital advertising is an essential component of education marketing, and in 2025, precision and creativity will define success. Institutions are refining their pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns and leveraging video ads to capture attention and drive conversions.

Precision targeting through platforms like Google Ads and Meta Ads ensures relevance. Long-tail keywords and geo-specific targeting help align campaigns with user intent, making them more effective. For example, phrases like “best nursing programs in Toronto” resonate more with prospective students than generic terms such as ‘nursing programs’ or ‘nursing school’.

Video content continues to dominate as the preferred format for engagement. Authentic, short-form videos featuring user-generated content are especially effective. These videos highlight program features, campus life, and success stories, building trust and fostering emotional connections.

Engaging carousel ad formats are also gaining traction, offering a visually dynamic way to present multiple aspects of an institution in a single advertisement. By showcasing different programs, campus highlights, or student testimonials in a swipeable format, carousel ads keep prospective students engaged longer. These ads are particularly effective on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where interactive content drives higher click-through rates and engagement.

Example: Static ad images are more likely to be skipped. Carousel ads are an attention-grabbing format that incites curiosity. Valuable, relevant, and short-form copy as pictured below works well as it keeps attention while imparting information your audience cares about.

Source: Concordia University

Remarketing strategies are proving invaluable for re-engaging prospective students. Dynamic ads tailored to past interactions, such as revisiting previously explored programs, help institutions stay top-of-mind and boost conversion rates. Platforms like TikTok provide creative opportunities to connect with younger audiences, further enhancing reach and engagement.

Navigating Changing Search Landscapes

The rise of AI-powered search engines like Google Gemini and ChatGPT is reshaping how users seek information. These tools prioritize conversational content and direct answers, requiring institutions to adapt their SEO strategies to maintain visibility.

Example: Incorporating conversational, question-based phrases as pictured below helps your site show up in search results. This is particularly relevant as AI, which favors concise answers, emerges as one of the most transformative education marketing trends. Try to add relevant, on-topic questions that your prospects are likely pondering into site content seamlessly. Then add the answer to that question. This boosts your chances of being featured in “People Also Ask” and other types of rich results.

Source: Gemini

High-quality, question-based content is essential for meeting the needs of AI-driven search engines and enhancing user experience. Institutions are optimizing FAQ pages to provide comprehensive, conversational answers to prospective students’ most common questions.

For example, detailed FAQ sections that include interactive components, such as collapsible menus or embedded videos, help address a wide range of inquiries efficiently. This approach not only supports AI-driven search tools like Google Gemini (Formerly Bard) and ChatGPT but also caters to user expectations for clear, straightforward information.

Voice search optimization further complements this strategy. With 58% of users relying on voice search daily, content must include natural, long-tail keywords that align with how people speak. For instance, crafting answers to questions like “What’s the cost of a nursing program in Toronto?” ensures visibility in voice and conversational search queries. Together, these strategies create a seamless path for students to access the information they need, whether browsing through AI-enhanced search results or engaging directly with an institution’s website.

Example: AI tools like Copilot pictured below offer user-friendly, well-structured answers to education-related questions, guiding prospective students effectively to your institution.

Source: Copilot

Local SEO remains a powerful driver of inquiries. Enhancing Google Business Profiles, incorporating location-specific keywords, and encouraging positive reviews are key strategies. Schema markup further boosts visibility by creating rich search results, such as event listings and review stars, that attract clicks and engagement.

Practical Strategies for 2025

Content remains central to education marketing success, but its format and delivery are evolving. High-quality, SEO-optimized content that directly addresses student questions is crucial. Institutions are increasingly adopting visual and interactive formats, such as infographics, videos, and quizzes, to create engaging and shareable content.

Marketing technology plays a pivotal role in streamlining operations. CRM systems and automated email tools enable institutions to automate routine communications, such as application reminders and follow-ups. This ensures timely interactions while freeing up resources for strategic initiatives.

Mautic is a cutting-edge CRM and marketing automation solution tailored specifically for the education sector. Built on the robust Mautic platform, HEM has enhanced this system to address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by educational institutions.

By enabling streamlined lead management, Mautic by HEM allows schools to segment, manage, and follow up with prospects efficiently, enhancing both cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency.

With Mautic, your school can supercharge your marketing efforts through automated email campaigns, customizable forms, and seamless workflows. The platform’s out-of-the-box custom reports provide deep insights into admissions efforts, helping schools track team productivity and the progress of leads through the enrollment funnel.

Tools for automated SMS and email follow-ups, meeting bookings, and calls empower teams to nurture leads effectively, turning prospects into enrolled students. Designed to simplify complex tasks and enhance collaboration, Mautic is the ideal solution for schools looking to elevate their student recruitment strategies.

In an era of rapid technological advancements, agility is essential. Institutions must regularly monitor campaign performance, experiment with new platforms, and stay informed about industry innovations. Being prepared to pivot strategies allows institutions to adapt to changing audience preferences and platform updates.

The Road Ahead

In summary, What will education marketing look like in 2025? In 2025, education marketing will focus on data-driven, personalized, transparent, and multi-channel strategies to engage students effectively. When you embrace AI-driven tools, optimize digital advertising, and adapt to evolving search landscapes, your school can navigate the complexities of a highly competitive market.

As the digital-first generation redefines expectations, educational institutions have a unique opportunity to deliver value and build trust at every stage of the student journey. The strategies outlined here provide a comprehensive roadmap for success, ensuring your school sees results in 2025 and beyond.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is education marketing?

Answer: Education marketing promotes educational institutions, programs, and services to prospective students, their families, and other stakeholders.

Question: What will education marketing look like in 2025?

Answer: In 2025, education marketing will focus on data-driven, personalized, transparent, and multi-channel strategies to engage students effectively.

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January 8, 2025
CRM and SIS Solutions for Schools

Reading Time: 8 minutes

As a school striving to broaden its reach, you likely already understand the importance of personalized communication to attract and retain students. That may sound like a lot of work because, without the right tools, it certainly can be. Fortunately, our team, with over fifteen years of experience working closely with educational institutions, has developed specialized solutions that address key challenges faced by schools looking to streamline their processes and boost enrollment.

HEM’s custom-built solutions—Mautic by HEM, a powerful Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and marketing automation system, and HEM’s Student Portal, an all-in-one Student Information System (SIS)—offer the tools you need to manage your admissions and student engagement efforts seamlessly. Let’s explore how you can give yourself the gift of efficiency this holiday season with these systems!

Simplify student management and boost recruitment efficiency!

Transform your student portal experience. Get a FREE HEM-SP demo today.

Understanding CRMs and How They Benefit Your Institution

What is a CRM and how can it benefit educational institutions? A CRM, or Customer Relationship Management system, is a platform that helps organizations manage and analyze customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifecycle.

For educational institutions, a CRM is essential in managing prospective student relationships, tracking their progress through the admissions funnel, and keeping detailed records of interactions. At its core, a CRM enables schools to create personalized experiences for prospective students, allowing them to engage in meaningful ways at every stage of their journey.

Mautic by HEM, our tailored CRM for educational institutions leverages the open-source marketing automation platform Mautic to deliver a seamless experience designed specifically for the education sector. With features like lead segmentation, automated workflows, custom reporting, and multichannel marketing, Mautic by HEM empowers schools to enhance their lead management and marketing efficiency.

By segmenting contacts based on their stage in the admissions process, program of interest, or geographical location, your institution can ensure that each prospect receives targeted messages that are more likely to result in conversions.

Reach out to us for a demo to see how Mautic can boost efficiency for your school’s marketing campaign!

Mautic by HEM: Supercharge Your Lead Management and Marketing

Mautic by HEM goes beyond a standard CRM, combining powerful customer relationship management with advanced marketing automation to help you maximize your student recruitment efforts.

Mautic makes it easy to manage a large number of prospective students by allowing you to segment, organize, and follow up with prospects efficiently. By automating workflows and assigning follow-up tasks, your team can manage their workload better, ensuring that each prospect receives timely attention.

Source: Mautic | HEM

Example: Do you see how centralizing prospect information helps you track the effectiveness of your campaigns and determine the next step in the enrollment funnel? Here, prospects are categorized by their current stage in the enrollment process, their program of interest, the channel through which they first interacted with your institution, and what sort of contact they are. That’s all the information you need to craft an appropriate and compelling follow-up message tailored to each unique responsibility. Mautic helps you with that part too!

In addition, Mautic by HEM’s marketing automation tools enable you to scale up your email marketing, create dynamic landing pages, design forms, and automate workflows. This allows your institution to maintain a high level of personalized engagement with prospects across multiple channels, thereby improving your reach and effectiveness in digital recruitment.

The solution’s custom reporting features also give you detailed insights into your admissions pipeline. With Mautic by HEM, you can monitor productivity, track lead progress, and evaluate channel performance, which will help you refine your approach and allocate resources to high-impact activities.

Ensuring timely follow-up is essential for converting leads to students, and Mautic by HEM enables automated SMS and email follow-ups, allowing you to communicate with leads through their preferred channels. Whether it’s sending reminders, booking meetings, or making calls, Mautic by HEM has the tools your team needs to maintain a consistent communication flow.

Source: Mautic | HEM

Example: Viewing the contact history for each prospect lets you know how they prefer to communicate. In addition to other vital data such as name and contact information, you can craft a highly personalized message such as the SMS pictured above.

Finally, Mautic by HEM also helps your team manage their daily tasks and workload. With integrated calendars, workflow assignments, and productivity tracking, your staff can stay organized and focused on what matters most—building relationships and driving enrollments.

Why You Need an SIS for Your School

Now, what is a Student Information System (SIS)? Student Information System software is designed to manage student data from application through graduation. An SIS handles everything from enrollment and class scheduling to academic records and financial management. This centralized database makes it easy for staff to track student progress and streamline administrative tasks.

HEM’s Student Portal integrates CRM and SIS functionalities to provide an all-in-one admissions and student management platform. Tailored to meet the demands of educational institutions, the portal includes tools for application management, payment processing, and student record tracking. This integrated solution enables institutions to centralize and simplify operations, allowing your staff to focus on building meaningful relationships with prospective and current students.

HEM’s Student Portal: Revolutionizing Student Management

HEM’s Student Portal takes SIS integration to a new level, offering an all-encompassing admissions and student management system designed specifically for educational institutions. The Student Portal simplifies the application process, offering a virtual admissions assistant that guides students from start to finish. Students can inquire, apply, pay, and even enroll through an easy-to-use interface.

Source: Student Portal | HEM

Example: A customized Student Portal will guide students through your application process from initial form submission to payment in a user-friendly format as pictured above.

Customizable forms and a centralized management system make it easy for your staff to track applications, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. Additionally, the portal seamlessly integrates with Mautic by HEM, allowing you to manage marketing and admissions in one place. By streamlining communication and automating workflows, this system supports your institution’s goals for efficiency and high-quality engagement with prospective students.

The Student Portal allows for comprehensive data management, tracking all aspects of student data from initial inquiry to graduation. With detailed records and customizable reports, your team can monitor application status, manage payment processing, and keep detailed academic records, providing staff with a complete view of each student’s journey.

Source: Student Portal | HEM

Example: Here, you can see our centralized application management system. See all incoming applications and determine which applications were started and not completed. In addition, the Student Portal platform allows you to track prospects based on name, program, whether they’ve been sent an invoice, and whether that invoice has been paid. This information is valuable as it clarifies the next step for each contact.

Furthermore, the portal’s quote builder tool allows prospective students to calculate program costs, offering them a transparent view of financial requirements. This provides clarity and builds trust, making it easier for students and their families to plan for the financial aspects of their education.

Designed to improve efficiency across all departments, the Student Portal facilitates better collaboration by centralizing data and providing tools for managing projects and tracking progress. This comprehensive approach allows staff to work towards strategic institutional goals, fostering a collaborative environment that drives both student success and institutional growth.

Experience the HEM Advantage: Efficiency

Mautic by HEM and the HEM Student Portal offer transformative CRM and SIS solutions that empower educational institutions to work smarter, not harder. By combining lead management, marketing automation, admissions tracking, and student data management, HEM’s tools create a cohesive system designed to meet the unique needs of schools. That’s what we accomplished for Micheal Vincent Academy.

Founded by Tally B. Hajek, a multi-talented recording artist and makeup artist, and her husband Michael Vincent, a renowned celebrity photographer, MVA teaches around 350 students annually. Each student gains expert instruction and builds a professional portfolio, launching them toward successful careers in beauty and media.

MVA sought an organized, streamlined solution to manage its student recruitment efforts, and they found the answer in Mautic by HEM. This customized CRM software, specifically tailored for educational institutions, allows MVA to efficiently automate its marketing efforts and seamlessly follow up with prospective students.

Transformative Results for a Thriving Institution

With Mautic, MVA’s team can now easily track and manage leads. The CRM’s powerful reporting tools give the academy a clear view of each lead’s journey through the admissions process. Staff can track the progress of every prospective student, monitor recruitment team activities, and measure productivity—all crucial for a private institution focused on cost-effective outreach. Furthermore, the lead-scoring feature in Mautic enables the recruitment team to identify and prioritize high-value leads, allowing MVA to concentrate on students who are genuinely interested and likely to succeed within the academy’s creative programs.

As Tally Hajek highlights, the organizational capabilities of Mautic are essential to building meaningful connections with prospective students. “We value connections with prospective students, but connections cannot happen without organization,” she explains. The system enables her team to foster relationships with students who are both committed and well-suited to the academy’s professional and artistic environment.

Moreover, HEM’s attentive and supportive customer service has made the partnership especially rewarding. “We love working with the HEM team,” says Hajek. “We feel like they really understand us and want us to succeed.” With HEM’s customized solutions, MVA has significantly increased staff efficiency in student recruitment, giving their team the tools to excel in a competitive educational market and helping the academy continue to thrive as a leader in beauty and media education.

Imagine a system that handles every step of the student journey—engaging prospective students, nurturing leads, simplifying applications, and supporting students through their academic journey—all from a single platform. HEM is dedicated to providing solutions that help you enhance recruitment, boost enrollment, and offer the seamless digital experience that students expect.

To see how Mautic and the HEM Student Portal can transform your institution, request a demo today and discover the possibilities of giving yourself the gift of efficiency.

Give Yourself the Gift of Efficiency

This holiday season, give your institution the ultimate gift: the power to work smarter, not harder. HEM’s custom-built solutions, including Mautic CRM and the HEM Student Portal, are designed to streamline your operations and boost your team’s effectiveness.

From managing prospective student leads to enhancing engagement and improving communication, these tools empower your staff to focus on what truly matters—building connections and driving success.

Simplify student management and boost recruitment efficiency!

Transform your student portal experience. Get a FREE HEM-SP demo today.

FAQ

Question: What is a CRM and how can it benefit educational institutions?

Answer: A CRM, or Customer Relationship Management system, is a platform that helps organizations manage and analyze customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifecycle.

Question: What is a Student Information System (SIS)?

Answer: Student Information System software is designed to manage student data from application through graduation.

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December 25, 2024
Why Your School’s Instagram Page is Not Performing Well

Reading Time: 10 minutes

Instagram has become one of the most powerful tools for schools to connect with students, parents, and alumni. It’s a platform full of potential to show off your school’s culture, achievements, and community in a highly visual and engaging way. However, your school will have to contend with a variety of challenges to stand out from the crowd.

If you’ve noticed your school’s Instagram page isn’t getting the kind of engagement or attention you were hoping for, you’re not alone. Many schools face similar difficulties when it comes to building a large and engaged Instagram following. So, what could be going wrong? Let’s take a deep dive into ten key reasons why your school’s Instagram page might not be performing well and how you can turn things around.

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1. You’re Not Posting Consistently Enough

One of the most common reasons school Instagram pages fail to gain traction is inconsistent posting. When you’re not regularly sharing content, you risk losing your follower’s attention and missing engagement opportunities. Instagram’s algorithm favors active accounts, so if your school is posting sporadically or only during major events, you may struggle to stay visible in your audience’s feed.

The solution is simple but requires commitment: consistency. You need to create a posting schedule that ensures you’re sharing content at least a few times a week. Whether it’s showcasing student achievements, classroom activities, or campus events, your followers want to feel like they’re staying connected to the life of your school. By sticking to a reliable posting routine, you’ll increase your visibility and build a habit of engagement with your audience.

Does your school’s Instagram page need a boost? Reach out to learn about our social media marketing services.

2. Your Content Isn’t Engaging Enough

Have you been wondering “Why am I not getting likes on Instagram?” If you’re posting regularly but still not seeing much interaction, one likely reason that your school’s Instagram page is not performing well is that your content isn’t resonating with your audience. Are your posts inspiring comments, shares, or likes? Is your content inviting people to participate in discussions or take action? Too often, school Instagram pages fall into the trap of simply broadcasting information instead of engaging their audience.

To fix this, you must focus on creating engaging content that encourages conversation and interaction. Ask questions in captions, run polls in your Stories, or create fun challenges in which students and parents can participate.

Make your content relatable by featuring real people—students, teachers, and alumni—sharing their stories and experiences. By fostering a two-way conversation, your Instagram page can become a hub for your school community, rather than just a bulletin board of announcements.

Example: A great way to create engaging school Instagram posts is to follow trends and borrow ideas from one of the internet’s most engaging platforms: TikTok. Particularly as a school striving to attract Gen Z prospects, it’s essential to remember that there’s likely a significant crossover between Instagram and TikTok users who may be interested in attending your school. Here, King’s University College gets it right. They use a popular TikTok trend – a spoof on Gen-Z slang, in one of their Instagram posts to engage their audience. Based on the healthy number of likes and comments, this strategy seems to be working! Give it a try.

Source: King’s University College | Instagram

3. You’re Not Leveraging Instagram Stories and Reels

Instagram Stories and Reels are powerful tools to reach your audience creatively, but many schools underuse or ignore them altogether. If your school’s Instagram strategy relies solely on standard posts, you’re missing out on the more interactive and short-form content that Instagram is known for.

Stories and Reels not only provide a fun, behind-the-scenes look at your school, but they also have the potential to reach a wider audience due to Instagram’s algorithm, which prioritizes these features.

Start incorporating Stories and Reels into your strategy by showcasing day-in-the-life experiences of students, behind-the-scenes glimpses of school events, or quick educational tips from teachers.

Stories allow for casual, in-the-moment updates, while Reels offer the opportunity to create shareable, engaging videos that highlight the vibrancy of your school community. Use these features to diversify your content and engage your audience in new ways.

Example: Here, the University of Guelph posts an incredibly moving story in observance of World Mental Health Day. This timely story also showcases the school’s supportive and tight-knit community. When planning your Instagram story content, don’t forget to forge a connection with your audience in addition to sharing timely and valuable information.

Source: University of Guelph | Instagram

4. Your Captions Are Too Formal or Generic

While it’s tempting to keep things professional on your school’s Instagram page, overly formal or generic captions can come across as dull and uninviting. If you’re getting no likes on Instagram, it’s possible that you simply need to be more interesting.

You want your audience to feel a personal connection to your content, and that’s hard to achieve if your captions sound more like press releases than conversations. If you find your captions aren’t sparking engagement, it might be because they’re lacking personality.

The key to improving your captions is to make them more relatable and conversational. Speak to your audience as if you were having a face-to-face conversation with them. Show some personality—whether that means adding humor, warmth, or excitement, depending on the nature of the post.

Keep your captions concise but meaningful, and don’t hesitate to include a call-to-action that invites followers to respond, whether it’s by sharing their thoughts or tagging a friend.

Source: University of BC | Instagram

Example: This relatable caption reads: “Another scenario! Your prof asks you a question but you’re distracted. What are you going to do?” This caption is borrowed from the popular POV trend on TikTok which is likely widely known by Gen-Z university students and hopefuls. Captions like these are designed to be relatable, humorous, and resonate with your prospects’ sensibilities. When crafting an Instagram caption, think of what your audience has in their minds – What are their motivations? What are their pain points? What internet trends might appeal to them? Get creative!

5. You’re Not Using Hashtags Effectively

Hashtags are essential for expanding your reach on Instagram, but they’re often misused or overlooked. If you’re not using hashtags strategically, or if you’re using irrelevant or overly broad ones, your posts may never reach the intended audience.

Hashtags help categorize your content and make it discoverable to people interested in similar topics, but if you’re not thoughtful about how you use them, you could be missing out on a significant source of engagement.

The best way to optimize your hashtag usage is to research and use hashtags relevant to your school, community, and industry. Mix popular, trending hashtags with more niche or location-specific ones that your target audience is likely to search for.

For example, using tags like #schoollife or #education can help you reach a broader audience, while more specific hashtags like #YourCitySchool or #STEMAtYourSchool can connect you with a local or interest-driven audience. Don’t overdo it—stick to a mix of five to ten effective hashtags per post.

6. You’re Not Showcasing Student and Community Stories

At the heart of any school are the people who make it special—students, faculty, alumni, and community members. If your Instagram feed is focused on promotional content or school-wide updates, you’re missing the chance to tell the human stories that can build emotional connections with your followers.

Schools that fail to highlight personal stories and experiences often struggle to engage their audience on a deeper level. You can solve this by featuring student and community stories more prominently in your content strategy. Share student achievements, interviews with alumni, or profiles of staff members who are making a difference.

Consider starting a series where students take over the Instagram account for a day, giving your followers a first-hand look at what it’s like to be part of your school community. These personal, authentic stories draw people in and make your school’s Instagram page stand out.

Example: Here, The Clover School highlights a parent night that they recently held. When crafting your Instagram stories, remember to target different segments of your audience – Students, parents, alumni, and key stakeholders should be considered during the planning process. Here, The Clover School targets parents, highlighting the fact that parents regularly enjoy the opportunity to connect at events.

Source: The Clover School | Instagram

7. You’re Ignoring Analytics and Data

Many schools struggle with their Instagram performance simply because they’re not paying enough attention to the data. If you’re not regularly analyzing your Instagram Insights, you’re missing valuable information about what’s working and what’s not.

Without understanding your audience’s behavior, you can’t make informed decisions about the content to post, the best times to post, or how to optimize your engagement. To turn things around, you can start using Instagram’s built-in analytics tools to track key metrics like engagement rates, follower growth, and reach.

Pay attention to which posts are performing well and why. Is it the timing, the subject matter, or the format? Use this data to refine your strategy over time. If you notice that certain types of content resonate more with your audience, double down on those themes. If certain times of day get more engagement, adjust your posting schedule accordingly. Data-driven decisions will help you continually improve and keep your Instagram page performing at its best.

8. You’re Not Showcasing Diversity in Your Content

One reason your Instagram page might not be resonating with your audience is a lack of diverse representation in your posts. Today’s students and parents are looking for schools that celebrate diversity and inclusion, and your Instagram account should reflect that. If your feed showcases the same types of events, people, or perspectives, you may be unintentionally alienating parts of your community or future students.

To address this, make sure your content highlights the full spectrum of your school’s community. Feature stories from students with different backgrounds, cultures, and interests. Celebrate various events that showcase your school’s inclusivity, such as cultural fairs, diversity days, or guest speakers from a range of fields.

By presenting a more holistic view of your school’s community, you’ll create a space where everyone feels represented and valued. This not only strengthens your online presence but also shows potential students that your school is a place where they can truly belong.

Example: Here, the University of Western Ontario showcased its meaningful commitment to diversity. By uplifting the voices of their students attending the local Pride Parade, Western is celebrating the diversity within their community.

Source: University of Western Ontario | Instagram

9. You’re Focusing Too Much on Perfection

Instagram can feel like a platform where everything must look perfect, from flawless event photos to perfectly curated classrooms. However, an overly polished feed might be doing more harm than good. If your school is not getting Instagram likes, your posts may seem overly staged or lack authenticity, you may struggle to build meaningful connections with your audience. People are drawn to what feels real, and overly perfected content can come across as insincere.

The best way to solve this is by balancing your polished posts with more authentic, candid content. Let your audience see behind-the-scenes moments that aren’t perfectly scripted or planned—show the hustle of organizing an event or the genuine joy of students working on a group project.

Embrace imperfection by showcasing real-life moments, whether it’s students laughing between classes or teachers preparing for a lesson. Authenticity fosters trust and can dramatically boost engagement, as your followers will connect more with the human side of your school.

10. You’re Not Engaging With Your Audience

Even if you’re posting consistently and creating great content, you might still struggle to grow your Instagram presence if you’re not actively engaging with your audience. Instagram isn’t just about broadcasting—it’s a platform designed for interaction.

If you’re not responding to comments, liking posts from followers, or actively participating in discussions, you’re missing out on opportunities to build relationships with your community. To improve this, make engagement a core part of your Instagram strategy. Respond to comments on your posts, even if it’s just a simple thank-you or an emoji. Acknowledge students who share posts about your school by commenting or reposting them on your Stories.

By actively participating in conversations and showing appreciation for your audience, you’ll encourage more interaction and foster a sense of community. The more you engage with your followers, the more invested they’ll become in your school’s Instagram page—and your school overall.

Source: John Cabot University | Instagram

Example: Personalized responses such as the one pictured above are often enough to help build anticipation for prospects looking forward to the next step in their journey with you. Your responsiveness on Instagram also showcases your school’s desire to connect and assist. This is a selling point in and of itself.

If you’re not getting likes on Instagram, there’s no need to worry! Turning around the performance of your school’s Instagram page doesn’t require a complete overhaul, but it does require a thoughtful approach.

By identifying the areas where you may be falling short and implementing these practical solutions, you’ll be well on your way to creating an engaging, vibrant Instagram presence that truly reflects the spirit and energy of your school.

Whether it’s by posting consistently, creating more engaging content, or tapping into the power of Instagram Stories and Reels, there are plenty of ways to breathe new life into your school’s Instagram strategy. Remember, social media success doesn’t happen overnight, but with a bit of patience and persistence, you can turn things around and start seeing the results you’re aiming for.

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FAQ

Why am I not getting likes on Instagram?

If you’re posting regularly but still not seeing much interaction, one likely reason that your school’s Instagram page is not performing well is that your content isn’t resonating with your audience.

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November 13, 2024