inbound marketing for your mba programs: how to do it smarter, better and faster
TRANSCRIPT
How to Do It Smarter, Better, Faster
Inbound Marketing for Your MBA Programs
AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Ed 2016
Your Presenters
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Ann Oleson, CEO & Founder
Converge Consulting
Sylvia Haas, Executive DirectorUCLA Anderson School of
Management
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About Converge
Converge Consulting is a full-service inbound/digital agency for higher education. We are distinct in our ability to develop sound strategy and translate it into recruitment campaigns that deliver ROI in a crowded marketplace.
• We live and breath what’s new and next.• Our DNA is digital.• We know education.• We believe in relationships and results.• Our customer service is unparalleled.
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About Sylvia
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Overview
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I. Our Story: UCLA + Converge
II. Industry Benchmarks
III. Strategies by Audience
IV. Funnel Communications
V. Key Takeaways
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Our Story: UCLA + Converge
Our Story
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Sylvia had four primary goals:
• Stay ahead of the increasing competition
• Expand geographic reach
• Recruit more women & maintain military presence
• Increase number of Inquirers
Competition
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Expand Reach
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Recruit Women & Maintain Military Inquiries
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Class of Women Military/Veterans Inquirers
2016 32% 16% 10412015 24% 14% 10282014 30% 20% 7302013 28% 18% 770
Inbound Marketing
CONVERT DELIGHTSearch EngineOptimization
(SEO)
Inbound Content Offers
Social Media
PaidAdvertising
ATTRACTCalls-to-Action
(CTAs)
Landing Pages
Forms
Retargeting
Amplification
Content Strategy
OngoingEngagement
User Experience
(UX)
Measurement
STRANGERS VISITORS STUDENTS PROMOTERS
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Industry Benchmarks
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Inbound Funnel
Sample Monthly PlanImplement a digital advertising strategy to target users actively searching for MBA programs, users that fit into the target demographic and behavioral profile and users who have previously visited landing and program pages (remarketing).
• Display Advertising• Contextual / Behavioral• Geofencing / IP Targeting• Specific websites
• Social Media Advertising• Facebook / Instagram• LinkedIn• Twitter
• Search Engine Advertising• Google AdWords• Bing Ads
• Retargeting / List Targeting• Display ads• Social Media Platforms 15
Digital Advertising
Lead Generation Trends: MBA
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Industry Data
Conversion Rate Cost Per LeadSearch 6.89% $386.44Display 0.59% $533.31Remarketing 4.21% $102.40Facebook 1.12% $111.25LinkedIn 5.35% $162.00Gmail 0.10% $650.76
Sample Monthly Ad Spend
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Digital Advertising
Digital Advertising Strategy Lower Visibility Higher Visibility
Display Advertising (10-15%) $500 $1,000
Social Media Advertising (25-35%) $2,500 $3,500
Search Engine Advertising (44-55%) $5,000 $15,000
Retargeting (10-15%) $1,000 $2,000
Total $9,000 $21,500
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Strategies by Audience
Who is your ideal student?
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Persona: Women
Who is your ideal student?
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Persona: Military/Veteran
Who is your ideal student?
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Persona: Medicine
Who is your ideal student?
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Persona: Energy Industry
Strategy: Social Media AdvertisingChannels: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest
UCLA Strategy: Reach your target audience on LinkedIn based on demographics such as job title, industry, seniority, educational background, and employer.
Suggested monthly ad spend: 25-35%
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Digital Advertising
Example Ads: Social Media Advertising
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Digital Advertising
Facebook Instagram LinkedIn (Sponsored Content)
Strategy: Search Engine AdvertisingChannels: Google AdWords, Bing Ads
UCLA Strategy: Reach users on Bing who are specifically searching for non-branded and branded ‘executive mba’ keywords in the greater Los Angeles area.
Suggested monthly ad spend: 45-55%
Digital Advertising
Keyword and ad examples:
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Example: Mobile Search Ads Digital Advertising
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Strategy: Retargeting / List TargetingChannels: Display Ads, Social Media Advertising (Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter)
Target users who have visited your website or landing page but haven’t converted into a lead yet. Also, target prospects with admissions related messaging to encourage users to take the next step and apply.
Suggested monthly ad spend: 10-15%
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What else?
Strategy: Display AdvertisingChannels: The Trade Desk, Google Display Network, Gmail Sponsored Promotions
Reach your target audience through contextual and behavioral targeting or target specific companies and schools via geofencing or IP targeting.
Suggested monthly ad spend: 10-15%
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What else?
Targeting and ad examples:
YOUR AD HERE
YOUR AD HERE
Example: Gmail Sponsored Promotions
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What else?
Ad collapsed on mobile:
Expanded ad:
Targeting examples:
Example: Gmail Sponsored Promotions
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What else?
Example of results:
Landing Pages
How do we increase conversions?
Create landing pages specific to each specific program that showcase benefits, requirements, potential employment opportunities and career outcomes.
Take a user-first approach with targeted and segmented messaging. Lead with user experience (UX) and generate landing pages that will help you turn strangers into visitors, visitors into leads and leads into promoters.
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Funnel Communications
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Communication WorkflowsSomeone inquired. Now what?Develop a multi-touch point lead nurturing strategy for 30-60 days. Use a mix of email and phone calls that hit on competitive advantages, address common barriers to help convert more prospects to enrollments.
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Event Emails
Best Practices• Optimized for mobile view, easy to skim
• Compelling subject line
• Engaging visuals (graphics and photos)
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Visit a Class Email
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Emails
4 Emails to Send After Inquiry:• Meet Your Person: Introduce an advisor to reach directly with
questions.
• Here’s How You Apply: A how-to, webinar or guide to walk them through the application process.
• What’s Holding You Back: Messaging to address barriers and how your institution will help them move past them.
• Alumni & Faculty Stories: Share testimonials, research and publications so they can see themselves as a part of your community.
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Google Analytics
What is the ROI?• Recommendations for
improvement to enhance reporting
• Set up of Google Analytics for reporting on AdWords
• Set up of goals on action-based forms for the program including: inquiry form, application form, campus visits, etc.
• Set up of dashboard to report on inquiry generation program and digital advertising
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Data ReportingExamples of Insights:
Dallas4
Irving3
Plano3
Fort Worth2
New Jersey
1
Texas1
Garland1
Houston1
McK-inney
1
Rowlett1
San An-tonio
1Lavon
1
City
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New & Next Ideas
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New & NextCheck out Ivy Exec.Invitation only business community with over 730K+ members, growing by 10 to 12,000 new professionals per month. 90% of members are interested in professional development and learning about education potions to advance their careers.
Community consists of:• 18% C-Suite Executives• 25% VP/EVP/SCP Level• 25% Director Level• 22% Associate Director/Senior Manager/Manager Level
IvyExec offers digital solutions including hosting/promoting online events, targeted email campaigns, newsletter placements, display ads, content promotion and dedicated landing pages.
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New & NextHost strategic webinars.Professional development is a key interest of the MBA target audiences. We suggest hosting and promoting webinars that hit on high interest professional development topics as a way to initially draw interest from your target audience.
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New & NextAmplify your content.Promoting content, rather than your program specifically, can be a great way to initially engage your target audience. Sharing alumni success stories or thought leadership pieces on professional development can generate engagement.
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New & NextGet an external perspective.• Does the agency have
certifications, partnerships or awards?
• Can the agency provide case studies and references?
• Does the agency have experience in your vertical?
• How often is the agency reviewing and optimizing campaigns?
Download it here:http://inbound.convergeconsulting.org/choosing-a-ppc-partner
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Thank You!