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University Marketing Strategy: Print Campaign Schedule

University Marketing Strategy: Print Campaign Schedule

University Marketing Strategy: Print Campaign Schedule

university print marketing campaign

In addition to targeting different university audiences, you can plan your university marketing strategy around the different seasons throughout the year. Here are some ideas from the print and mailing experts at Preferred Direct to help organize your campus marketing.

Year-Round University Print Campaigns

Acceptance letters: Acceptance letters can be sent throughout the year for the different semesters students apply to. Include campus life materials and make incoming students feel welcomed and excited about joining your institution.

Housing information: For those planning to live on campus, a printed packet of housing options and deadlines can be helpful when sent at key times throughout the year. Send after or with your acceptance letters so students have all they need to know about campus housing.

Financial aid information: Brochures or mailers can educate students and families about financial aid options (such as FAFSA) and when to apply. Time of promotion will depend on FAFSA and semester deadlines.

Deadlines & Schedules: Postcards sent a few months prior to the start of each semester can remind current students about upcoming registration deadlines and class schedules for their degree programs.

Scholarship opportunities: Let students know of known scholarships at the beginning of each semester and others as they become available. Use variable data printing to change the scholarship options that apply to each student.

 

University Marketing Strategy By Season

Spring – March to May

Study abroad programs: Printed flyers and brochures can inform students about your study abroad opportunities happening throughout the summer and in the semesters to come. Send a postcard of the study abroad options and follow up with a professional booklet highlighting the details of the specific option they’re interested in. 

Graduation announcements: Professionally printed graduation postcards can be a special keepsake for students and their families. Make sure to send out letters informing students of their graduation status and include postcard “tickets” for them to keep and give to those they want to attend.

University & Booklets: A university prospectus booklet is a great way to attract students to consider and apply to your institution. Send in the early spring so highschool junior and seniors can browse the info in time for mid-summer application deadlines for your fall semester.

 

Summer – June to August

Summer Kick Off Campaign: A catalog of summer courses, programs and events can encourage students that stay on campus during break to get more involved. Engage this smaller audience with fun full-color print materials to keep their experience positive while friends are away.

Orientation Packets: Get students excited and ready for their first semester by sending out an eye-catching orientation packet, equipped with a campus map, student programs, and a printed schedule for new student orientation.

Athletic Season Tickets: Before your athletic programs start back up, send out season ticket promotions to encourage early bird ticket purchases. Use letters or postcard style and make sure to include details on the upcoming athletic schedule and season ticket holder perks!

 

 

Fall – September to December

Back To Campus Newsletter: As students head back to campus, send out a university-wide newsletter detailing all the fun events and activities for the upcoming academic year. Highlight any new programs, campus construction/renovations, athletic schedules, and important campus news so students are up-to-date and ready to take on the year.

Homecoming Promotions: Encourage attendance to your fall homecoming events with campus flyers and postcards. Be sure to send important details about special events like alumni receptions and football game logistics to ensure your homecoming week runs smoothly.

Student Groups: Promote your student groups like fraternities/sororities, volunteer groups and student associations to communicate the benefits of joining these organizations and recruiting schedules.

 

Winter – January to March

Holiday Closings and Campus Hours: Remind students and staff of holiday closures and changes in campus hours with a simple postcard or letter. Include when campus hours return to normal for the Spring semester.

Year-End Giving: Encourage end-of-year donations with a direct mail campaign that highlights the impact of giving. Showcase scholarships, community engagement and testimonials to encourage donations.

Holiday Greeting Cards: A holiday card from the university can foster a sense of community and appreciation among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors.

End-Of-Year Reflections: An Annual Report Newsletter can reflect on the accomplishments and milestones of the past year and set goals for the upcoming year. This can attract both students and donors to get in on the action the next year.

For more ideas on university marketing strategy, contact the experts at Preferred Direct. We are a local, family-owned printer dedicated to helping institutions with their communication programs and marketing engagement. Visit our university page for more ideas and request a project estimate to get started.

Print Campaign Ideas for Higher Ed Marketing

Print Campaign Ideas for Higher Ed Marketing

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Print Campaign Ideas for Higher Ed Marketing

Print Campaign Ideas for Higher Ed Marketing

Print Campaign Ideas for Higher Ed Marketing

Whether you’re looking to recruit new students, engage alumni, or share important updates with faculty and staff, print campaigns are a highly effective medium for higher ed marketing.

Printed materials offer a tangible and personal touch that digital marketing can’t always provide. For example, a well-designed orientation booklet can be held, shared, and stored as a keepsake, capturing the moment of a young entrepreneur’s first years in college.

As a trusted print & mail partner for over 35 years, Preferred Direct has some ideas for using print to connect with your college community…

 

Higher Ed Marketing Print Campaigns

Colleges and universities can target several key audiences through print campaigns. Here’s a few great print marketing strategies for each group. For assistance, contact Preferred Direct.

 

For incoming students and undergraduates

Higher Ed MarketingProspectus / Admissions Booklet: Send a custom designed university booklet to prospective students and show what life at your institution could be. Include a college overview, academic programs, campus life, the admissions process and financial aid options. Attract the next class with engaging images, campus activities, student testimonials and a message from the President or Dean.

ROI tip: send a postcard first to ALL prospective students to sign up for your email newsletter. For those that sign up, follow up by sending the full University booklet. The postcard is a budget-friendly option to generate interest, allowing you to send your valuable printed materials only to those that are more likely to apply.

Program Brochures:  Informative program brochures can help attract and excite students for the degrees they’re most interested in. You can include information on pre-requisites, courses, tuition fees, program events, and semester schedules (or where to find them) for each degree program. Having a separate booklet will help students choose the right course of study and inspire confidence and independence as they navigate their academic career. 

Orientation & Campus Life: Once students are accepted, professionally printed orientation materials can help ease their transition to campus life. Booklets for student housing options, building info and campus maps, student groups and associations and more are all print pieces students need to take full advantage of all your university has to offer.

 

For alumni and donor relations

Alumni Newsletters: Newsletters keep alumni and donors informed about the happenings of their alma mater and how funds are impacting student life and success. Feature stories on recent accomplishments, star programs, sports tickets, upcoming events, student spotlights, and ways to get involved or give back.

Annual Report: Showcasing the impact of donations can be a powerful way to engage with donors too. Consider creating an annual report that highlights project updates, fundraising goals, and program impact that have been made possible through their contributions.

Event Invitations: Printed letters or postcards inviting alumni to events such as homecoming, reunions, seminars, or fundraising galas can help generate excitement and encourage attendance. Be sure to include all relevant event details and a call-to-action for RSVPs.

Transpromo Marketing: Incorporate transpromo marketing into your donor billing letters to maximize engagement and highlight upcoming marketing initiatives. Transpromo marketing is incorporating marketing promotions into your billing materials. Learn more here.

 

For athletics and Greek life

Recruiting Materials: Attract and recruit top talent to your university with rockstar printed booklets. A saddle-stitched brochure or booklet can showcase your programs, scholarships, and success stories from current student-athletes and greek life and convince top performers to pick your programs.

Higher Ed Marketing CampaignAthletics Schedule: Send out athletic schedules and flyers for upcoming sporting events to promote game attendance, highlight star players, and encourage fans to show their school spirit.

Fundraising Campaigns: If your sports teams are in need of additional funding, a well-designed mailer or postcard can help raise awareness and encourage donations from alumni, parents, and fans.

 

 

Your Partner for Higher Ed Marketing

When selecting a print partner for higher ed marketing, you want to choose a reputable and reliable company that has experience working with educational institutions. At Preferred Direct, we understand the unique needs and goals of colleges and universities. Our local, family-owned printer offers print solutions, direct mail services, and bindery options to meet your needs.

Preferred Direct is HITRUST-certified to ensure the security and confidentiality of your sensitive information. Request a project estimate to get started today!

Print Campaign Ideas for Higher Ed Marketing

Print Campaign Ideas for Higher Ed Marketing

Whether you’re looking to recruit new students, engage alumni, or share important updates with faculty and staff, print campaigns are a highly effective medium for higher ed marketing.

Boost Your Political Marketing Campaign with Print

Boost Your Political Marketing Campaign with Print

When it comes to elections, every detail matters. This is especially true for local downticket elections — those that involve smaller, local offices like city council members, school boards and more.

About the authors

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Infographic: Higher Education Marketing Print Ideas

Infographic: Higher Education Marketing Print Ideas

Infographic: University Print Ideas

for Higher Education Marketing

Here to help your higher education marketing stay organized and inspired throughout the year, we’ve put together this handy guide with university print marketing ideas for every season. Whether it’s orientation forms for incoming freshmen or event invites for homecoming, Preferred Direct is here to help you make an impact all year round. Check out our Undergraduate Print Marketing guide below and contact our team to kick-start your next print project!

 

 
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD HIGHER EDUCATION MARKETING GUIDE PDF
Higher Education Marketing
Print Campaign Ideas for Higher Ed Marketing

Print Campaign Ideas for Higher Ed Marketing

Whether you’re looking to recruit new students, engage alumni, or share important updates with faculty and staff, print campaigns are a highly effective medium for higher ed marketing.

About the authors

Read More