Instagram Marketing Marketing Guides Social Media

Using Instagram Stories to Promote Your School

February 12, 2019

With more than 200 million users, Instagram Stories has surpassed Snapchat as the leader in applications sharing real-time (disappearing) content. Is your institution taking advantage of this free marketing tool? Here are some of the many ideas for using Instagram Stories to promote your school or business.

Using Instagram Stories to Promote Your School

Idea #1: Show a typical day as a student

Potential students will benefit from content that shows what a typical day is like. Recruit a student to be an ambassador and show what a day is like, including transportation to and from the school, coffee or cafeteria breaks, classes, and after school programs. Save these and make them a “saved” story that users can easily access at the top of your Instagram page.

Idea #2: Give campus and classroom tours

Provide insight into what your campus and classrooms look like. Have a student advisor or administrator provide tours and introduce the staff members that students may work with when they attend your school. This serves as great orientation content for new students as well!

Idea #3: Highlight activities

Many schools put together incredible activities, yet feel frustrated that potential students do not see this content. Instagram Stories is an excellent way to give potential students an idea of what they may experience after school. It’s also an excellent opportunity to show some of the area’s highlights.

Idea #4: Highlight campus events

What is happening on campus? Share this in IG Stories!

Idea #5: Share blog posts

In addition to sharing blog posts on Facebook, use IG Stories to notify followers that a new post is up. You can also recycle old posts to generate more readers for articles that were published in the past.

Idea #6: Post news for students

Let students know of school news using IG Stories. Examples include posts on the following:

Last-minute changes
Tuition and application deadlines
Weather advisories
Birthdays

Idea #7: Share user-generated content (student photos)

Utilize user-generated content by sharing photos that students posted. It’s an excellent way to highlight the experience of students through their own eyes!

Did you know? A third party marketing team can help organize and motivate your internal staff to continually promote your school on social media channels. Contact Lastarria Media for more information.

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Higher Education Industry Statistics Instagram Marketing Marketing Guides Social Media

Marketing Higher Education Institutions via Instagram: A Posting Guide for IEPs

April 4, 2018

Instagram has become a valuable marketing tool for many industries, including higher education. Yet many institutions are unsure how to utilize Instagram (or remain unconvinced of its influence on consumers). Is your institution profiting from this beneficial form of social media?

Why use IG for marketing?

Reach potential students: 80% of IG users live outside of the U.S.
Target international student demographic: 59% of users are ages 18-29
80% of IG users follow a business
71% of businesses use IG, double from 2016
Influencers overwhelmingly prefer IG for brand collaboration: consider scholarships for international influencers*

Tips for posting school photos on Instagram

Develop/use branded hashtags (7 out of 10 hashtags on IG are branded!)
Always use a location (posts with a location receive almost 80% more engagement)
Post on weekdays: this is when engagement is highest
Photos receive 36% more engagement than videos.
Post photos of students and staff: photos with faces receive 38% more likes
Consider the overall look of the gallery (vertical vs. horizontal photos; consistent filters and borders)
Use logos (naturally) in photos when possible
Create a gallery that is a mix of campus activities, academics, and social outings
Use photos to illustrate your school’s diversity
Make use of Instagram stories for content that is relevant but not necessary for your gallery (posts disappear within 24 hours)
Don’t be afraid to promote programs and specials: 65% of top performing IG posts feature a product
Host IG contests with your students: user-generated content has a 4.5% higher conversion rate.
Don’t be afraid of emojis: 50% of content on IG has at least one emoticon

Need more tips on marketing your educational institution online? Contact Lastarria Media.

* be sure to develop a clear agreement regarding the content that must be posted in exchange for an influencer’s scholarship

Statistics source.

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