- Student Enrollment
Video in Higher Education: 6 Strategies for Enrollment Success
The human brain processes visual information much faster than text. So it’s no surprise that video has become one of the most powerful tools for conveying information in higher education environments, especially for engaging prospective students and communicating institutional values.
Recognizing the rise of online content consumption, social media, and readily available video resources, institutions are increasingly incorporating video to augment their teaching methods, boost outreach, and provide valuable insights into academic life and programs. By harnessing the power of video, educators can enhance the learning experience and connect with today’s students. Ultimately, this shift reflects an understanding of the evolving ways students engage with information and a commitment to providing dynamic and engaging learning environments.
Top Video Strategies that Drive Student Enrollment
Digital circumstances have influenced the way we leverage video in building higher education strategy and planning. Here are the key high-level marketing strategies institutions can follow to unlock video’s full potential and boost student enrollment.
Student Testimonials and Success Stories
Nothing can be more persuasive than first-hand testimonials from the students studying in the institution. Prospective students are more likely to choose a college where they can see themselves thriving academically and socially. Video testimonials from actual students are another practical, real-world approach to boosting student enrollment.
These videos can highlight student achievements, career outcomes, internships, research opportunities, and campus life. Also, showcasing successful alumni testimonials in their career path, be it business, healthcare, education, arts, or similar vertical of work, would be substantial evidence of the long-term benefits of studying in the college or university. The videos might include interviews where alumni discuss how their education set them up for success in their fields.
Virtual Campus Tour
Virtual campus tours give prospective students a chance to explore universities from the comfort of their own homes. By adequately utilizing compelling, high-quality virtual tour videos, colleges can help students picture life on campus and allow them to see their classrooms, dorms, athletic facilities, student centers, and more.
Virtual tours are particularly helpful for out-of-state, international, or transfer students who may not have the resources or time to visit. By offering a well-crafted virtual experience, institutions can increase interest and generate excitement among prospective applicants.
Best Practice Tip: An external-facing gallery with useful video resources for prospective students, such as the campus community, virtual tours, behind-the-scenes stories, alumni network, and more, together with a mobile-friendly design, will make the videos accessible to everyone from everywhere for a better application experience. Panopto Connect provides not only customizable design, branded playback and carousels, layout, and content curation but also exclusive, protected access to a video portal with all the video content displayed together.
Program Highlights and Academic Spotlights
Another example of a higher education video recruitment strategy is showcasing the academic programs that are offered. Creating short, informative videos about particular departments, courses, or research opportunities can help students get a deeper understanding of what sets the institution apart in terms of academics. Video must be interactive and fun to engage the students even while spotlighting the engineering department, perhaps, with professors discussing cutting-edge research projects or displaying student-led startups from the business school.
Best Practice Tip: To keep the viewers focused, and to the point, you can implement interactive quizzes and buttons with more detailed information or even leverage AI in Higher Ed to enhance student engagement with AI-powered features.
Live Webinars and Q&A Sessions
Among all video types, live video content is one of the most direct ways to engage prospective students. Creating live webcasts and Q&A sessions provides opportunities for admissions officers, faculty, and current students to communicate directly with prospective students and their families.
These sessions can answer frequently asked questions about the admissions process, scholarships, student life, academic programs, and career services. Prospective students can interact with the admission team in real-time online, which makes them feel more connected to the institution and builds trust.
Social Media Content
Many higher education institutions have leveraged social media in their strategy to create video content that gives prospective students a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of real students and faculty. Campus life content, such as behind-the-scenes footage of campus events, student clubs, or even faculty research projects, could give prospective students an authentic glimpse into campus life. Encouraging current students to make videos during their time on campus could bring a personal touch and sense of community to the table.
Video-Based Ads
Video advertising is especially effective for brand awareness, offering an engaging and impactful way to communicate the institution’s value proposition. During the campaign, video creators can target geographic locations, demographics, and interests to ensure the key message is delivered to the right people. These ads can be combined with compelling calls to action, such as scheduling a virtual tour or applying online.
Conclusion
Successful student enrollment directly relies on the efficiency of the higher education admissions strategy, so the implementation of video content must be not only engaging and attractive but also effective. By crafting interactive and informative virtual campus tours, highlighting student success stories, and hosting live webinars, colleges and universities can create a more personalized and comprehensive experience for students.
Video content tailored to the needs and aspirations of the viewers can build much stronger relationships with prospective students and ultimately boost enrollment numbers.
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