How can you create an email campaign that students will actually read?

1 Know your audience

The first step to creating an effective email campaign is to understand who your audience is, what their needs and interests are, and how they prefer to receive information. You can use data from your CRM, surveys, social media, and web analytics to segment your audience based on their demographics, behavior, and stage in the enrollment funnel. This will help you tailor your content, tone, and timing to each group and avoid sending irrelevant or generic messages.

2 Write catchy subject lines

The subject line is the first thing that your recipients see when they open their email app, and it can make or break your open rate. You want to write subject lines that are clear, concise, and compelling, and that capture the attention and curiosity of your audience. You can use techniques such as asking a question, making a promise, creating urgency, or using humor or emotion to entice your readers to click on your email. However, avoid misleading or spammy subject lines that might damage your reputation or trigger spam filters.

3 Craft engaging content

Once you've got your audience to open your email, you need to keep them interested and motivated to take action. Your content should be relevant, valuable, and easy to read, and it should align with your goals and objectives. You can use storytelling, testimonials, images, videos, or infographics to make your content more appealing and memorable. You should also use clear and concise language, short paragraphs, bullet points, and headings to make your content scannable and digestible. Finally, you should include a clear and compelling call to action that tells your readers what you want them to do next, such as visit your website, register for an event, or apply for a program.

4 Optimize your design

The design of your email can also affect how your audience perceives and interacts with your message. You want to use a responsive and attractive design that adapts to different devices and screen sizes, and that reflects your brand identity and style. You should also use white space, contrast, and hierarchy to create a visual flow and highlight the most important elements of your email. Moreover, you should test your email on different browsers and platforms to ensure that it displays correctly and that all the links and images work properly.

5 Measure and improve

The last step to creating an email campaign that students will actually read is to measure and improve your performance. You should track and analyze key metrics such as open rate, click-through rate, conversion rate, bounce rate, and unsubscribe rate to evaluate the effectiveness of your email strategy and identify areas of improvement. You should also conduct A/B testing to compare different versions of your email and see what works best for your audience. By using data and feedback, you can optimize your email campaign and increase your engagement and conversion rates.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?