190 likes | 208 Views
This presentation by Martha A. Ban focuses on involving students, parents, churches, and the community in the marketing process to enhance the school's visibility and reputation. Strategies include valuing students, nurturing the parent-teacher relationship, engaging with churches, and fostering community connections through various initiatives such as field trips, community dinners, and media outreach.
E N D
To Market, to Market Marketing Your Small School in a Big Way Presented by Martha A. Ban
The Goal • Involve as many facets as possible in the marketing process • Students • Parents • Constituent churches • Community
The Student Connection • Students who have positive learning experiences and who feel valued - spread the word • They are our #1 recruiters • How do we convey to students that they are valued?
Valuing Students • Connect • Show an interest • Books to dirt biking to MYSPACE • Care • Teach with high standards
The Parent Connection • Start young! “Welcome Baby” cards to ALL newborns in newspaper • “Graduate of 2021” - we hope to see your student in 6 years… • Host a baby shower at school for constitute members. • Present them with a “scholarship” effective on their first year in school.
The Parent Connection • Communication and Involvement • Field Trips • Classroom Newsletter • Career Spotlight • Volunteer Teachers • Teacher Visitations
The Church Connection • Pay attention to your constituent members • Birthday/anniversary cards • New baby gifts (diapers, etc.) • Get well cards • Put your students up front • Special music • Scripture reading, Call to Worship, Children’s Story, etc.
The Church Connection • Church Databases • School age children • Sabbath School • Visit age-appropriate divisions • Prayer Partners • Pair up student names with willing constituent member’s names
The Church Connection • Field Trips/Activities • Invite church members to chaperone and/or sponsor/help with activities. • INVOLVE the members
The Community Connection • Community Dinners • Thanksgiving program/dinner • Warren SDA School (handout) • Citrus Fundraiser • A healthy way to promote your school • And make $$ :) • School Cancellations • Increase “visibility” of school with radio/TV school cancellation announcements
The Community Connection • Visibility • Clean a section of the highway • Get name on sign • School sign • Open House Day/Step Up Day/ Academy Day • Brochures in public places • Other denomination’s churches • Preschools in the area
The Community Connection • Teach empathy to your students and build a relationship with the community at the same time. • Community Service • Food banks • Soup Kitchens • Shut-ins
Open House Day • Invite children from other schools to visit. • Schedule during public school vacation • Plan a “typical” day - showcasing things you do best. • Send personal invitations to constituent children not currently enrolled.
Open House Day • Schedule a church program in each constituent church prior to the day. • Send home packets of information - forms, brochure, finance info, etc. • Follow-up with a letter a month later - and in the summer… • Keep a databank for future events
The Community Connection • Churches - Non-SDA • Meet with pastors of other churches • Ask to put brochures in their info center • Vacation Bible School (school/church) • Advertise to community • Get addresses of non-Adventist attendees - add to databank
The Homeschool Connection • “Field Trip” option • Offer single classes • Invite to Weeks of Prayer and other assemblies • Include in special events & programs
The Media Connection • Union paper • Send articles/pictures as often as you can • Newspaper (Estabrook School) • Newspapers will print “press releases” at no cost • Press will often come to report on events • Cable TV • Share video of programs, etc.
The Technology Connection • Website • www.adventistschoolconnect.com • Private Schooling Direct
In Summary • Be Visible • Build a relationship with the Community and your Churches • Present a credible program