School marketing can appear to be a grind at times, yet when this happens it can be overcome by being informed, motivated and prepared to give the effort required.

Best practice requires a commitment to always be on top of the issues surrounding schools, particularly you own school, and to be informed enough about marketing approaches and technologies etc so as to take appropriate actions to promote the school in the best possible light.

Too many school marketers fall into the trap of thinking that school marketing is so simple "just look at all the advertisements out there...; I could have written and developed those..." In our heart of hearts we really don't accept this premise, but it is one into which many fall, often unknowingly.

An effective school leader will be aware of this possible weakness and encourage the school marketing personnel to always be up-to-date with marketing approaches and the marketing technologies of the day. School marketing personnel must be intelligent, driven, competent and highly educated in all aspects of school marketing.

Written by Bryan Foster author of School Marketing e-Handbook

Click 'Comments' below to add your say or see others' views on this school marketing blog post.

Writing the "School Marketing e-Handbook ..." developed from an experience which began one morning a year or so ago on Lamb Island in Moreton Bay outside Brisbane Australia while on leave of three months. I had just travelled to Europe with my wife celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary and on return had tried to escape from everyday life to this small quiet island, in a cluster of four, of no more than 300 people, in beautiful South-East Queensland.

Paddling on my canoe through mangroves, watching sea eagles fly overhead and turtles raise their heads out of the tranquil torquoise waters, was a true inspiration to write. And so began the journey to write in simple to read and use language my almost 20 years of experience marketing schools. I hope you enjoy the fruits of this experience.

The school marketing e-handbook genre was chosen as it allowed readers to get to the point quickly and have easy to use methods to implement school marketing in any school.

Written by Bryan Foster


Click 'Comments' below to add your say or see others' views on this school marketing blog post.

Having viewed imperical evidence for the last 6 years of school marketing at my school definite trends emerged.

When sufficent expenditure occurred first year enrolment numbers to the school either improved or were maintained.

When decreases in expenditure on school marketing occurred the following year's enrolment intakes dropped.

Following an increase in school marketing expenditure again the enrolments increased also.

Written by Bryan Foster

Click 'Comments' below to add your say or see others' views on this school marketing blog post.

There are ways and means to develop a successful School Marketing Plan on any reasonable budget once a good appreciation of how marketing works is understood. Is the school newsletter being used effectively?

How is the reputation of the school being enhanced both within the school community and within the broader community?
How is the school website used?
No website yet?
What are the possible options then?
Do you have a good mentor or good school marketing 'how to' resources?

How is this a challenge for you? How have others met the challenge?

Written by Bryan Foster

Click 'Comments' below to add your say or see others' views on this school marketing blog post.