In today’s world, technology has become one of the most significant ways of getting information. It is also one of the most convenient ways that people communicate with each other. Short message service (SMS), also referred to as texting, is one of them. This is becoming more and more popular in schools and universities among students, teachers, professors, and school administrators. Below are a few examples and ideas on how schools, universities and other educational institutions can leverage the power of SMS marketing and SMS alert services.
Informational SMS Alerts:
One way that schools and universities use SMS is for information purposes. For example, administrators, deans, or school principals can notify either the parents, the students, or both about events that will take place. New prospective students can text in a keyword to a short code to receive enrollment information, request an onsite campus visit, campus maps etc. Also existing students can sign up for class and alerts, such as class schedules, campus events, graduation ceremonies and any other on campus related activities. Text Messaging is a simple, direct and cost effective way to keep students informed and engaged.
Emergency SMS Alerts:
SMS alerts have become a great option for campuses when it comes to emergency alerts. A simple text message to join the school emergency alert program provides great comfort and safety feeling to students and parents. Schools and universities can then leverage SMS alerts to keep students informed about weather alerts, school closing, on campus awareness etc.
Mobile Surveys and Feedback:
Text message surveys have become popular among students as this is an easy and trendy way to get feedback from students. Universities and colleges are making Mobile Surveys an option for students to participate in sharing their experience about campus activities, events they would like to see on campus and about their overall experiences in college. The use of this technological source makes it easier and fun for students so the participation rate is higher than sending out an e-mail or filling out a paper survey. Also, Mobile Surveys offer great reporting and survey results that allows school faculty and staff to focus more on addressing the students feedback than spending time on organizing the answers.
On Campus Sales and Offers:
SMS marketing is also a great tool for campus cafeterias, bookstores and any other places that offer discounts to students. An example is displaying a call to action in front of the cafeteria or within the cafeteria:
Text OFFERS to 82257 to join our Text VIP program and receive our specials and alerts.
This simple step will sign up students to weekly cafeteria specials that offer discounts and specials. To learn more on how to leverage SMS Marketing for on campus cafeteria you can also ready our Sodexo Case Study.
SMS Marketing and SMS alerts have become a great way to communicate and engage with on campus students, faculty and staff. This is a simple channel that offers great benefits to participants and subscribers (students and faculty) as well as to system managers (faculty and staff). SMS is cost effective, immediate and provides great reporting capabilities. Overall this is a channel that schools and universities can no longer afford to ignore.
If you’d like to learn more on how you can integrate text marketing into your education institution, please click here to read more and get started.
