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.

"How Are We Doing?"

Remember the parent survey you used as part of of recruiting last Summer? May is the perfect month for a personal follow-up with the parents of each student.

We've posted a sample School Report Card for you to use. It's ready to be customized for your school.

Print the School Report Card and have your staff make sure it matches what you need to know about your school. Then print enough surveys for all your parents.

Having the parents complete a School Report Card is crucial for your planning, marketing, and student

recruitment. It's a great "personal check" and will hilight specific issues that you need to work on before the end of the school year.

Be sure to have your board members (and local pastors) complete the survey. Their insights will provide an additional quality check, and will likely reinforce what you learn from the parents.

Why do a School Report Card?

1. Parents are your Core Customers.
2. Parents want the school to be "A+"
3. Parents know how you can do better.
4. Parents want you to ask.
5. Parents pay your salary.

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: 5

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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 Budget Time w/ Pastor

The ORIGINAL "show 'n tell"

Call for an appointment to review the school budget with each local pastor. This is where "openness" wins!

2 Meet the Small Fry

Recruitment begins with the Tiny

Do a "Marketing Presentation" for the parents at every nearby Day Care Center. Follow-up with an invitation for a "kid-friendly" campus tour.

3 Push Petals

It's NEVER too late for Posies

May is flower month. Make sure there are flowers in each classroom, in the cafeteria, and in the bathrooms. Plant new flowers by drinking fountains. Flowers say "life" and bring smiles!

4 Listen Aloud

...and post hours

Make yourself incredibly easy for parents to find. Place your schedule in church bulletins. Hold a couple "open-forum" conference calls. Listen, and they will share...and support.

5 Turn Pages

Move your office to the library

Not forever, but for at least an hour each day. Read to kids and have them read to you. And spring $20 for "Cats," "Dogs," and "Horses" books at Borders. They're on the SALE tables.