Marketing for Adventist School Leaders

"Marketing" is not just advertising. "Marketing" is choosing who we want to be and then becoming that so authentically that engaged consumers will be our most effective advocates.

"Bad Times" can be your "Best Time"

Now is the perfect time to STAND OUT from your competition! Think about the challenges parents are facing and then begin a series of events that will help them meet those challenges. Be known as The Place for Answers.

Finances: Everyone's budget is stretched to the max. You can help.

Hold events to teach "how to do the same for less." Events on fixing your bike, making inexpensive sandwiches, cleaning your carpets, changing your oil, detailing your car, etc. You know people with creative solutions. Connect them with the needy.
Offer to trade services for school fees.
Turn your parking lot into the community's home for a Sunday Garage Sale.

Fun: Families are looking for inexpensive fun-outside if at all possible!

Make the Sunday Garage Sale the Best Show in Town. Add tricycle races, balloon-animal-making, and a clean joke festival.
Add a "How To" section to your website. Recruit parents to write it.

Future: It's bad today, but there are better days ahead and you can choose to lead the wave. Stand out!

GrowMySchool.org is a marketing initiative for Adventist School Leaders. Here you will find tips from Dick Duerksen with simple "how-to" ideas for improving the image, effectiveness, and enrollment of your school.

BI-WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Issue 2009:3

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About the Author

Dick Duerksen is Assistant to the President of Maranatha Volunteeers International where he serves as Storyteller. He is also Creative Consultant to the NAD Office of Education. Dick has worked within the Seventh-day Adventist church as a pastor, administrator, editor, planner and consultant for creative ministry.

1 Race to Nome today

http://www.iditarod.com
The 2009 Iditarod race began on the 7th. Get your kids following the race and plan a Nome victory Party. Invite local Husky lovers to the party—and tell the TV news.

2 Host the Chef

"Cheap Sandwiches R Us"
Invite parents to your "Save $ on cooking" series with local chefs. This week "Six Sandwiches." Next week "creative casseroles." Be known as the school that helps parents save money.

3 Recruit "the gifted"

Who's $ needy...with smarts
Bring 'em to a series of donation only "How To" seminars on texting legibly, hooking up stereos, photographing kids, and growing tomatoes. Be known as the school with creative solutions.

4 Fly Kites

Bad times are a good time to play
Partner with a local kite shop or go to www.intothewind.com for some fast kite options. People love to picnic and play in the park. Lead the party. Take credit and place your logo everywhere in the park.

5 Celebrate Literature

YouTube, iTunes Genius, kid's books
Have teachers host an iTunes Sunday, a YouTube eve, and kid's book read-ins. Be known as the place for fun and friends. Read "How Dinosaurs Say Good-night."