Using Phone Calls and Emails Effectively
How have the "Do-Not-Call" and "Can-Spam" regulations changed your recruiting methods? What strategies have you employed to appropriately and effectively attract students?
I agree a mix is good. The students are diverse and come from different generations. It is good to contact that particular student in a manner in which they are comfortable communicating in.
Phone calls and emails are two primary ways that an institution has to connect students – prospective, current and past. Institutions must be very mindful of the laws that protect consumers for predatory and/or spam calls and emails. First and foremost institutions should pay close attention to the Do-Not-Call Registry. Once a number is listed on this registry, an institution must end calls to such numbers within 31 days of numbers being listed on the registry.
There are some important things to know about exceptions to the Do-Not-Call Registry law that allows institutions to make calls to students under certain conditions. One example is if an institution wants to strictly survey students about experiences with the institution that would be an acceptable exception within the law. There are a few other exceptions to the law that every institution must know and understand.
Emails are another area where an institution must be aware of the laws. Emails need to follow simple directives including providing Opt-out options/instructions. It is also important to note that the subject line of an email must not be misleading.
We contact perspective students by phone or email that have indicated interest in learning more about our college.
As the manager of Academic Affairs the only calls or e-mails that I make/send are to current or former students. Based on the material in the course it appears that these are relationship based. A lot of interesting stuff in the course!
I am more cautious on how I go about wording and communicating.
I still get a little frustrated and intimidating when I do a sales call or a follow-up.
I like to use a mix between emails and phone calls and once a connect with the potential student I ask what for of communication they prefer.
Usually our marketing team handles our outbound email messages but if we do send emails, we filter our list of students through our student database and CRM so we only email people who we are allowed to email.
I like to use email as a resource of communication. Some students tend to do better with emails than phone calls. I'm just hapy we can use both valid phone numbers and emails.
I have found that over the last few years to find this to be more and more the case. I will call someone and they will not answer but send them an email explaining the reason for my call and they will respond via email rather than return the phone call. how times have changed
I always find face to face effective as well as building referrals.
The regulations definitely have an impact on our recruiting methods. We get written FCC consent upon enrollment application, we have a "do not call" button available on every student record, and I only email students who have expressly provided consent to me.
Calling at different times of the day and leaving effective messages can help a reps success.
I agree. Lately I have found that I am able to contact more people by email and get more responces.
Consistently review the State Regulations in reference to Do Not Call and Spam emails.
Compliance is very important with emails and phone calls
I started under these laws so they haven't affected me personally but I believe they are meaningful and need to be respected.
I agree with you, with today's generation and especially working with high school students I find it difficult to reach them via telephone. Emailing, Facebook, and texting are becoming a more popular means of communication.
One must be mindful of these requests as they can be costly if ignored
following up with a student who has contacted the school for information by phone, e mail or social media is a good way to get the student to come back and enroll.
