Treva,
Many people have utilized email as a strong means of communicating with students. I believe that you should use what works for you.
Cindy Bryant
I prefer to use email as my key form of communication because its easy to keep track of and quick to refer back to if need be.
In our school we use phone or in-person communication, followed up by an email, so we both are in the same page, and also can have record in case we need it in the future.
Linda,
Understanding the Can-Spam Act is critical to the admissions process. It sounds as if you have a great grasp on the rules that surround communicating with students.
Cindy Bryant
In a transactional email there should be no misleading headers and the subject of the emails should be clearly defined in the subject line. Any adverstisements would need to be identified. LOCATION must be indicated. An opt out should be included and honored within the 10 day period.
Linda,
Hi! Welcome to the forum. Are you able to share how communication can assist in assuring that content is compliant?
Cindy Bryant
to assure the content is compliant
Linda,
Can you think of another reason that emails can be more effective when communicating with a student?
Cindy Bryant
I use email most often because it provides a record and can be easily referenced however, I do feel using the telephone can be more effective because your sincerity can be conveyed better.
Email is a fast method of communication and often you will receive better response as the recipient can be better prepared when they follow-up and can do do on their "time"
Erin,
Not having to advertise your institution speaks highly of your reputation within your community. Bravo!
Cindy Bryant
We do not have television commercials or email campaigns. All of our students initiate contact with us. We use three main methods of communication. Most initial communication is over the phone. Our second method of communication is e-mail responses to e-mail inquiries. We also have perspective students drop in for an unscheduled tour of the school. After initial contact has been made between a prospective student nearly all communication is conducted over the telephone or during scheduled follow up meetings. We keep notes on these conversations which takes discipline. For obvious reasons e-mail creates its own documentation however our students seem to prefer more personal methods of communication.
I use phone or in-person communication, followed up by an email as a form of documentation and comprehension of our conversation.
I personally like one on one communication, and everything in this course has just given me a better understanding to the new laws. Most of them can be covered if we act with intergity and transperancy. But never the less it has been a very well explained course that gives the why to the questions we usually have.
Alexander,
As I shared with Susan, communicating meaningfully is becoming more difficult than ever before. Many people misunderstand what we say or do and written communication, generally, cannot be easily misconstrued.
Cindy Bryant
email. It's the most conveinient form, and the written word is very powerful. That is why I try to be careful, transperent, accurate, in my emails.
I work in Career Services so the majority of my contact with students is as if they are already considered our customers. I find that speaking to each other in person is generally the most effective way when communicating with students as opposed to email or phone calls. This manner is aeasily achieved as our program requires attendance daily Monday thru Friday.
I love talking to students face to face. However because email is so much easier now adays because it is connected to your phone and ipad and other devices I find it much easier.
Once again I say e-mail and text messages, students are always on there phones and there able to access both of these.
The telephone call is easily the best form of communication. You can't beat having a live voice to speak with. You are able to control the conversation, gauge their reaction, and overcome objections. With the email, the student can just ignore the email. All of my emails state to give me a call at the number provided. Yes, there are drawbacks to the telephone. The student doesn't have to answer. Over time, I have learned that they eventually do pick up, probably because they are tired of having their phone ring. With an email, all they have to do is hit delete.
Gemma,
Hi! Thanks for sharing your 'Best Practice' of using Constant Contact. I don't know much about this system and would love to hear more.
Cindy Bryant
