These are smarter, more targeted ideas to consider. Schools having booths at events is not a favorite recruitment tactic of mine. As such, I've compiled a li...

Occasionally (very occasionally!) it may make sense... Occasionally, it may make sense to have a presence at an event. If you do choose to host an event boot...

That is the question. And the answer is usually NOT. I know it can sound like a no-brainer: "Hey, we're a school that wants to get the word out to families. ...

Captive audiences should never be ignored! Ever notice families waiting in your school’s lobby to go on tour? Me too. And what do families do while they wait...

They are a great retention tool. I know we all face survey fatigue from time to time. (Seems you can’t shop anywhere without being asked to complete a survey...

This may or may not be quick... Have you given your home a hard look when you are preparing to sell it, only to suddenly notice a number of needed fixes you ...

This is a big list. Hopefully you understand why retention is an important part of any marketing efforts. Now let’s talk about what you can do to help. This ...

Helpful information awaits...if you can get it. First off, this isn't the sort of thing a PTO member should administer. Exit surveys are sensitive. I'm writi...

Inspire your captive audience! The school lobby is an important place within your school. It’s the hub of activity and most significantly, it’s the place whe...

Don't let this opportunity slip by... Right now, call your school. Listen to the automated message. Does it brag about your school’s accomplishments? Does it...

It really is important... Several years ago I toured a charter school that was nice—a new facility, decent classrooms with windows and the students used tabl...

Retain this information about retention. When I started helping market my kids’ school several years ago, we talked briefly about the issue of retention but ...

It's simple but powerful. Get thank you notes and use them! All the time! I know it sounds trivial, but sending a thank you note is a great marketing tactic ...

This is a must. Every principal is different. Some truly value marketing, some enjoy it, some see it as totally pointless and everything in between. Many mar...

It's a fact of life, isn't it? Volunteers, even the best intentioned, come and go and sometimes at inopportune times. It might be mid-year but often it’s at ...

You never know where they might be lurking... Don’t you love all the forms you have to fill out at the beginning of the school year? Well, I’m going to sugge...

The earlier in the game, the better. When I started marketing for my kids’ school, I did not systematically approach it at all. I just did anything that came...

It really is a good idea! Making sure everyone at your school knows the name of at least some of your academic programs should be a priority. Not convinced? ...

Go Fight Songs! Go! Go! Go! Can you think of a fight song of any of the schools you attended? For me, the first one that comes to mind is my elementary schoo...

Don't Succumb! When I started in the realm of public school marketing, the district had just determined that our school was no longer to be tied to particula...