Ramp Up Black Friday Campaigns in Higher Ed Institutions

Black Friday. A time when people all over the world go crazy for discounts and deals. A time when businesses make a killing as people line up to get their hands on the best bargains. But what about higher education providers? Can they get in on the action and use Black Friday as a way to increase student admissions?

The answer is yes! By offering incentives and discounts on tuition fees, accommodation, and other services, higher education providers can attract new students and boost conversions. But there are a few things to keep in mind when crafting your Black Friday offer. In this blog post, we'll take a look at what works (and what doesn't) when it comes to Black Friday marketing in higher education.

One of the best ways to attract new students is by offering incentives and discounts on tuition fees, accommodation, and other services. This is a great way to show potential students that you're serious about helping them save money on their education. Just be sure to clearly state the terms and conditions of your offer so there's no confusion later on. Below are a few examples of offers:

With the influx of emails that students receive during the Black Friday period, it's important to make sure that your message stands out from the rest. 

One way to do this is by personalizing your email subject lines. This will help your email stand out in a student's inbox and increase the chances that they'll open it. Another way to ensure your message is seen is by sending it directly to a student's personal inbox (rather than their school-issued email address). 

This way, they're more likely to see it and less likely to delete it without reading it.

When crafting your Black Friday offer, it's important to be honest about what you're offering. 

Don't make false promises or exaggerate the benefits of your offer. This will only lead to disappointment (and possibly even legal trouble) down the road. Be transparent about what you're offering and make sure that your offer is actually relevant to the students you're trying to attract. Below are some suggestions of offers that have great results:

Another way to attract students is by offering a discount on tuition. This can be a percentage off of tuition or a fixed amount. For example, you could offer a $/ZAR discount on tuition for students who apply on Black Friday. This type of discount can be especially appealing to families who are trying to save money on college costs.

Another way to drive up interest in your institution is by giving away prizes. This could include gift cards, laptops, or even scholarships. You can promote this campaign by advertising the prizes that will be given away and how students can enter to win. This can be an effective way to get student's attention and interest them in applying to your institution.

Early decision deadlines can be another way to increase applications to your institution. By offering an early decision deadline earlier than the regular deadline, you’re giving students an incentive to apply early. This can be especially effective if you market it as a “Black Friday Special” or similar.

Finally, another way to help students with the admissions process is by providing admissions counselling sessions. These sessions can be offered in-person or online and can provide students with valuable information about the admissions process, requirements, and tips for writing a strong application. This type of service can help ease the stress of the admissions process and may encourage more students to apply to your institution.

Black Friday is a great opportunity for higher education providers to attract new students with incentives and discounts. Just be sure to craft your offer carefully and avoid making any false promises. If you do it right, you'll be able to boost student admissions and improve your bottom line!