
5 Ways to promote your after-school program
Millennial parents are a different generation from those before them, as they focus on analytical growth and real-world experiences for their kids. Parents today are more conscious of the impact of giving children the opportunity to learn and develop interests, and this is where after-school programs tend to shine.
If you run such programs, here are five ways to market them to get parents to notice you and overcome the initial hesitation.
Testimonials and referrals
You can have the world’s most expensive marketing budget, the fanciest marketing tools, and a strategist, but you’ll still fail to perform if you don’t have anyone to vouch for you. In an industry as competitive as education, word-of-mouth marketing can be the most potent tool for excelling in the market.
You can build trust and credibility for your after-school program by having parents who have previously used your services vouch for you to others. You can ask parents to leave reviews on your social media or Google My Business profile, sharing their and their children’s experiences with your programs.
Use these reviews and testimonials for your marketing and share them on your social media handles and your website (dedicated reviews page). If any of your clients consent, you can create video testimonials as part of your content marketing strategy. You can also offer referral incentives to existing customers, such as a specific percentage discount on the next month’s fees for anyone who signs up through their referral.
Create engaging social media content
The market is highly saturated, with an increasing number of parents looking for safe and effective learning programs for their children. But even with such high demand, many parents feel there aren’t enough options, which is poor marketing.
Use social media to fill the gap and reach out to potential customers through effective social media marketing. Create content about your activities, available resources for kids, an inside look at your environment, and real-time stories of all the fun.
Use your USPs, such as STEM projects, arts and crafts sessions, and robotics learning, to grab attention. You can even use PosterMyWall’s after-school program templates to design your content professionally and cohesively. With PosterMyWall, you can create downloadable freebies for parents containing all your services and related program information.
Post in local Facebook groups
Facebook may have lost its charm in the last few years, but trust us when we tell you it’s the hub for all parents and parenting-related queries (especially for after-school activities). Recently, Facebook communities have grown to an all-time high, which people often refer to for suggestions on various things, and schools and extracurricular programs are also one of them.
Start by joining kids and activities-related groups where you can find parents asking questions about their children. Break the ice by engaging with the community, answering questions and queries genuinely, and don’t immediately jump into marketing your service.
When you see an opportunity, share details of your after-school programs, highlighting their unique aspects. Include reviews of other satisfied parents to back up your claims. It is important to remain respectful and kind in these communities and not sound too gimmicky, as this can get you expelled from the group.
Host open houses or free trial sessions
Many people may be considering your after-school programs but may be hesitant because they haven’t experienced them firsthand. You can cater to this neglected target segment by offering free trial sessions or open houses for parents to experience your programs in person.
Allowing parents to experience your programs without commitments can be the push they’ve wanted and needed for the longest time. They’ll also appreciate your efforts. Invite parents to visit your premises and interact with the staff and faculty, allowing them to discuss their queries and concerns to help them find the perfect match for their kids.
You can even offer free 7-day trial sessions to help parents assess which program best suits their child so they can make an informed decision. The no-strings-attached strategy can work like a charm in convincing parents to choose your programs.
Use early bird discounts
Give people an offer that is impossible to refuse to sign up their kids for your after-school programs. Early bird discounts and referral incentives can help parents take this big leap. Offering early bird discounts can act as a time-sensitive call to action, encouraging them to enroll in your programs at a discounted rate.
The commitment with such discounts feels less complex, and people can be more willing to check out your programs for a month or two, giving them enough time to make the final call. These discounts can be the reason why many may even hear about your programs, so it’s ideal to include them in your marketing plan.
Ultimately, it is all about what services you offer and what children learn from these programs. Referrals, testimonials, and content marketing will all fail if the parents feel like they wasted their money with you because their children didn’t learn anything valuable. Hence, you must focus on what you offer these parents to make them lifelong customers. Happy promotions!