Who told you about us again?

Let's say my chiropractor is amazing (which he is, by the way) and so I tell everyone about him. Say one of those friends that I tell decides to go based on my recommendation. They make an appointment, it comes and in they go. When they get to the counter, one of the questions they're asked is "how did you find out about our office?" That friend then answers, "My good friend Stacey is one of your patients and she said I should come in and visit," or something of the sort. The receptionist makes a note on my file and the next time I go for an adjustment, I get it for free just because I referred that friend. Fun, huh!?

Or let's say that you've got an insurance company that gave you a great deal on your new home insurance policy (perhaps a little more far hypothetical) and you tell your friends about it. One of your friends decides to purchase a policy through the same company and gives your name when asked who refers them. Shortly after, you receive a gift certificate for two at some nice hotel with a nice little note thanking you for sending customers their way.

What I'm talking about, if you haven't guessed, is referral incentives. All sorts of companies use them to manufacture "buzz" around whatever they're promoting, to further motivate satisfied customers to spread the word.

Is there room for doing the same thing in marketing higher education?

We all hope that our alumni are satisfied customers and are referring potential students our way. We hope that our current students are encouraging their friends to join them.

What do you do to further motivate your satisfied customers to spread the word about your institution? Do you use any type of referral incentives?

At ABC, we're working on it. We haven't done much in the past but would like to encourage our alumni and current students to continue doing what they do and raise the bar a little bit by providing some positive reinforcement.

Any ideas?

Oh, and if you're in Calgary and looking for a good chiropractor, I know one. I'd be happy to pass on his name to you!

YC 2007 Slideshow

16,000 attendees... 12 CHEC member institutions... Good times!

HIRING: Program Coordinator

The Enrolment/Marketing Facilitation Team of Christian Higher Education Canada is still accepting applications for the Program Coordinator position.

Hours worked per week varies

The main duties are to execute the administrative work associated with the EMFT, including the promotion and execution of the Christian College and University Fairs and other duties as outlined in this document. Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is hired. Please send cover letter and resume to nstemmler@checanada.ca. Electronic applications only.

Nova Scotia Graduate Intentions Survey (2006)

Hey, here's an interesting survey I came across from Nova Scotia. One tidbit:

"...students who planned to attend a private career college were the group with the highest proportion of students planning to leave Nova Scotia." (p.6, 2006 High School Graduate Intentions Survey Report)

Check it out for more interesting findings.

~D

Sneak Peek

Here you go folks: the 2007 CCUFairs "look"... created in cooperation with the CCUFairs Advisory Team.

The club card (watch for these at YC Edmonton, I will be distributing them to CHEC member institutions that are participating on the fairs)... this is the front and back of one card. They won't have a white border, they are regular business card size, and they intentionally do not include the year on them as we will use them throughout the year and into next.






The Displays (to be revealed at YC Edmonton as well... generously sponsored through partnership with Zibit Displays www.zibit.com)

The brochure, poster, and website will all have very tight branding with this look as well. The website updates are expected to be complete before June 1 (in coordination with the promo that will happen at YC Edmonton... this will be pushing traffic to the site).




I am very excited about some of our partnerships that are on board as well; I look forward to announcing them as they become official.

Pacebook...

Pacebook... as in pace yourself... anybody addicted to the networking phenomenon that is "Facebook"? Have you been using it as a recruitment tool? How?

"Facebook is a social utility that connects you with the people around you." Simple enough. How can you be more effective at connecting with those around you, as it relates to your job as a recruiter? Create events and invite prospects? Where is the line on invasion of privacy?

Just some thoughts. While you're perusing, add me as your friend :)

~Dayna

macleans.ca/education

Canada's first online portal for complete coverage of universities and colleges: macleans.ca/universities

    TORONTO, May 2 /CNW/ - Canada's most comprehensive online destination
site for current and potential post-secondary students has finally arrived.
Announcing the launch of macleans.ca/university, the first website in Canada
to offer continuously updated higher education news, from campuses across the
country. Already recognized for its expertise in the coverage of universities
and education, Maclean's has extended that same reputation in this latest
online presence - with the up-to-the-minute analysis, interactivity and
points-of-view today's digital consumers are looking for. It's an essential
resource for students and recent graduates looking to make educational
decisions... more

How do we make this happen for Christian Higher Education in Canada? It's about time isn't it?

How Not to Enhance Your Selling Features...

CCUFairs: Biggest Tour Ever!

The Montreal & Maritimes leg of the fairs is a go! We currently have 14 members committed, and a couple of “maybes” yet.

The CCUFairs will cover 2,500 kms on the western fairs (Winnipeg to Victoria), over 1,000 kms in Ontario, and over 1,500 kms in eastern Canada... 5,000 kms of Canada!

With that good news, if you are still considering adding any leg of the fairs, and have already paid for at least one portion, we have extended the late application fee to June 1 (for additional legs only). If your total fees are paid by June 1, you don’t need to pay the late fee for any fairs that you decide to add.

We have some awesome regional representation to promote the CCUFairs this year! On my next update, I will send a list of your regional reps, so that if you have key contacts or ideas for their regions you can touch base with them.

Until next time, bundle up if you’re out east and turn on the air conditioner if you’re out west! And GO FLAMES GO (no matter where you are) ;o)

Blessings,

Dayna

3 Books and a Podcast Worth Your Investment

• Five Dysfunctions of a Team

• What Got You Here Won't Get You There

• The Now Habit (I haven't read this one... yet...) ;)

• Manager-Tools Podcast

SuperSize Me!

Adding Value... How are you "Super Sizing" your recruitment strategies? Are you giving compelling reasons for why influencers should allow you time (or more time) to promote your institution/programs to their students?

I was at Staples today and picked up a free magazine called "Canada's SOHO Business Magazine" Not only is it a great magazine, but I also found out about Staples free "how-to" seminars in partnership with BizLaunch.ca...

So use this idea to spin off some value added services to your prospective students and their influencers... but also check out some of these free seminars! Who wouldn't benefit from a little more advice on branding, hiring, how to get free publicity, etc?

I know what you're thinking... "my high school retreat weekend adds value to students and influencers!" And you're right. But think outside the box a bit more. Check out what Prairie is offering their influencers (heck, go right on ahead and register while you're at it!). Look at this event at Prov. Can you see some potential for connection to recruitment?

This may be as easy as having intentional recruitment involvement in events that are already happening (i.e. alumni events, grad dessert table, discounts on continuing ed courses for your "VIP influencers," sponsoring a youth ministry training event that is being hosted by another organization)... or it may require some creative work and/or proposals on your part.

I know you're out there, my google analytics tells me we average over 30 visits per week... any innovative ideas on "super sizing" your recruitment/enrolment efforts?

Chicken Poop for the Soul

CBC interviews the editor and publisher of Winnipeg based Christian magazine Geez...


Self description from their home page: "Geez Magazine has set up camp in the outback of the spiritual commons. A bustling spot for the over-churched, out-churched, un-churched and maybe even the un-churchable. For wannabe contemplatives, front-line world-changers and restless cranks."

Looks irreverently fun... does anybody already subscribe? Maybe I can get them to throw in some copies for this year's rep "SWAG BAGS" on the fairs!

YC Hotel

If you're still looking for a hotel for YC in Edmonton, the Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe is a decent hotel and has some good rates; you don't even need to be in the YC 'block'... Especially if you have an "entertainment book card," I just got a double for $90 (any girls out there want to share?).

It's less than 10 mins from YC.











I think last year at that time, we were watching the Oilers in the playoffs... can't say we'll be doing the same this year! But keep your ear to the ground for a brunch or post-concert get-together. Wow, YC is going to be my last event (sigh!)...

Hope to see you there!

Dayna

Spring 2007 Articles

Click for Options 2007 articles on Christian Higher Education:


Of special interest: CHEC Chair, Justin Cooper, shares some information about future plans.

Join the Team...

Looking for a new adventure in Christian Higher Education?

The Enrolment/Marketing Facilitation Team (EMFT) is hiring a new Program Coordinator: ¾ time (hours worked per week varies seasonally) for a 1 year maternity leave contract (my current position).

The main duties are to execute the administrative work associated with the EMFT, including the promotion and execution of the Christian College and University Fairs and other duties as outlined in this document. Application deadline: May 10, 2007. Please send cover letter and resume to nstemmler[at]checanada.ca. Electronic applications only.

Also available: the Regional PR Representative application (original email with further details was sent March 10), application deadline: April 13.

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions; inquiries and applications on all positions will remain confidential within the EMFT and limited to contact with references provided by applicants.

Blessings!
Dayna

Five ways to measure R.O.I.

How do you track whether what you're doing in your recruitment strategy is really "worth it"? Here are 5 ways to measure your Return on Investment (R.O.I.)

1. Make sure you have a way of getting reports on click throughs with any web-ads that you use (email me for your ccufairs inquiry form request stats).
2. Ask your new students how they heard about you (all the ways they heard about you) as well as what the key decision factor was.
3. Keep statistics on inquiry cards for events over the course of a few years; analyze the results and factors that may have caused increase/decrease.
4. When calculating value/cost of events, be sure to factor in things like
1. What is/was the key demographic? Is the majority of the population within your target?
2. How many hours is the exhibit area open? Is there a fresh crowd every day, or registered attendees that stay the same the whole time (and for that matter, which of those scenarios works best for you?)
3. How much face-to-face time do you have? Is there an opportunity to present to key prospects or influencers?
5. Code your advertising with a special "coupon" or "call to action" that helps you to track how contacts heard about you (sometimes they don't remember). For example, in a newspaper ad: offer a free latte at your cafe, a free magazine subscription offer, or a free book of some sort that you can send them.

What's one way you measure your R.O.I.?

sale...

I was in Staples yesterday and the rep that was helping me told me that they are being forced to clear out all of their "Staples brand" ink and laser cartridges because the manufacturers of the brand name printers won't agree to sell their units there if Staples competes with the supplies.

Anyway, the sales were pretty good; just an inside scoop, if you're interested in stocking up.

Dayna

Five Alive

"Five Alive" lists... bite sized lists that you can create your own action items, ideas, plans or proposals out of:

1. A few easy Google Hacks (personally I love the autofill for forms online).
2. Current read and where to find it cheap (click image):
3. Quote of the day: "There are no traffic jams along the extra mile." -Roger Staubach
4. Resource: Why participate in the eastern fairs this year? : Thousands of easterners are still heading west for school and work. Why not your school? If "it's not in the budget" is your response... can you afford not to?
   
5. schoolfinder.com... have you seen your profile there? There's a searchable database of programs and everything, check it out.

MishMash...

Do you use your personal luggage for your work travel? It's one thing for your clothing, but if your expensive luggage is filled with catalogues, getting trashed trip after trip when you're out recruiting, it may be a viable option to request a new budget line. There's some on sale at Canadian Tire right now; 3 piece set for $30 (click image):


Who's going to YC Alberta? What hotel are you staying at? I hope to have our print material with me to give those attending YC. We will likely have a get-together as well, maybe Sunday brunch? Stay tuned.

The King's University College is hiring a Financial Aid coordinator, if you're interested, contact Hilda for more information: hilda.buisman@kingsu.ca

Anyone looking for new displays this year? Let's see if we can coordinate some discounts if we all agree to use the same supplier. We have used Zibit in the past; I have heard that Displayco is good, but I was unable to negotiate a deal or sponsorship with them last year... This year I am using Studios Creative for the CCUFairs displays as part of their sponsorship last year, and I think they may do a group discount for a minimum order. Comment below or email me if you're interested and I will drum up some more details.

Don't forget about the looming deadline to apply to be a Regional PR Representative for this year's fairs (April 13). I anticipate it being a very strategic way to increase our attendance at the fairs this year. Email me for a job description/application.

Have a fabulous weekend, blog at ya later :)

Dayna

updates and upcoming...

Updates:

• Did you know...We're hiring!

1. officially: Regional PR Representatives for the CCUfairs
   
2. soon-to-be-officially: Maternity Leave position (job description available soon, please email me if you're interested... inquiries will remain confidential)
   
3. soon-to-be-officially: Fairs assistant/seminar presenter
   

Upcoming:

• Did you know... We're ready to hit the road! Four reasons why your colleagues say you should be participating in (or expanding your participation in) the CCUFairs:
  

1. “The CCUFairs has been our highest event-based inquiry generation source for the past 4 years. We make it a top priority in our recruitment strategy budget.”
2. “Last year, 7% of our incoming class came directly out of CCUFairs recruitment.”
3. “The CCU Fairs gives us access to locations and students that we normally would struggle to develop. Being a part of the fairs brings us instant credibility in these new situations.”
4. “In just 2 years on the Ontario fairs, we have seen our number of confirmed students from Ontario triple. What a great return on our investment!”
   

Check your inbox or email me for more information on the 2007 CCUFairs :: ccufairs@checanada.ca