Is it too early to start marketing your summer programs? Search trends say no. Year after year, Google sees a massive spike in searches around summer programs and camps in the winter months. In fact, winter and early spring months see up to a 70% increase in summer camp related searches.
As families shift from holiday plans to the start of a busy year, they start to plan their summer vacations, and other necessary plans to fill their children’s summer schedule.
Summer camps and programs are an effective way to introduce your school to new families, and add value to current families. As an added bonus, the additional revenue will keep your school board happy. Here are 3 ways to fill up registration fast:
1. Host Virtual Q&A with Consultants
Consultants already know the value of your boarding school, but are they aware of your summer programs? Hosting a virtual Q&A session will provide distraction-free time for consultants to learn about all the summer programs your school offers. Providing them with detailed information about interest-based activities, such as science programs or team sports training, will spark connections with the families they are working with.
2. Personalized Emails to Current Families
Once you know what programs will be offered this summer, you can start personalized outreach to current families. Your team can send personalized details on summer offerings based on each student’s interests and passions, such as science, sports or performing arts. Sharing testimonials from other students and parents who share similar interests will excite newcomers.Your email outreach should lead to a stunning landing page with all the information a family could need to learn more and register:
- Program details
- A photo gallery from previous years
- FAQs
- Health and safety protocols
- Testimonials
- Registration information
- Contact information
3. Local Outreach
The local community surrounding your school is an often overlooked target audience for summer camps and programs. Without existing relationships with these families, it becomes difficult to showcase the value of your summer programs. To combat this, your school should become a trusting member of the community.Reach your school’s local community through:
- Local print sources like newspapers and magazines
- Town and/or county-wide websites
- Online community boards and groups
- Promoted social media posts
- Local events
Blue Baden is the only marketing and consulting agency specifically designed to help boarding schools reach their potential. We can help your school launch effective marketing strategies for your summer programs in 2023. Contact Blue Baden today to get started.
