DWS Associates Marketing Solutions

Business Development & Direct To Consumer Marketing Solutions

Member Registration / Login:
Member Registration / Login:


Not a member? Click here to register »

_

  • Request Information
  • Home
  • Marketing/Sales Tools
    • What Can You Afford To Spend To Acquire a New Customer?
    • Marketing Planning Tools
      • Marketing Assessment
      • Customer Acquisition & Retention
        • Customer Acquisition & Retention Assessment
        • Customer Acquisition & Retention Checklist
      • Marketing Needs Analysis Tool
      • Marketing Performance Evaluator
      • SWOT Analysis Tool
      • Marketing Plan Guide & Template
      • Sample Size Marketing Calculators
    • Direct To Consumer Marketing Tools
    • Competitive Analysis & Competitive Intelligence Tools
      • Competitive Intelligence Assessment
      • Competitive Marketing Performance Evaluator
      • Competitor SWOT Analysis Tool
      • Competitive Situation Analysis Template
      • Competitive Analysis Tool
      • Competitive Radar Tool
      • Competitive Continuum Charting Tool
      • Competitive Positioning Mapping Tool
      • Competitive Intelligence Packaged Services Programs
      • Competitive Intelligence Services
    • CRM Planning Tools
      • CRM Readiness Assessment Tool
      • CRM Application Assessment & Vendor Selection Tool
      • Life Time Value Calculator
      • Life Time Value Acquisition Cost Calculator
      • Net Present Value Calculator
      • Customer Retention Rate Calculator
      • Customer Acquisition Assessment
      • Customer Retention Assessment
    • Marcom Tools
      • Promotional Capabilities Assessment
      • Advertising Appeals Checklist
      • Sample Size Marketing Calculators
      • Marcom Planning Tools
        • Marketing Campaign Planning Guide
        • Communications Strategy Template
        • Advertising Media Selection Tool
        • Marketing Communications Plan Template
        • Message Planning Template
        • Advertising Effectiveness Tool
        • Agency Evaluation Tool
        • Advertising Campaign Creative Brief Template
        • Campaign Circulation Planning Tool
        • Campaign Response Tracking Tool
      • Marketing Calculators
        • 1-Step Marketing Campaign Calculator
        • 2-Step Marketing Campaign Calculator
        • Campaign Inquiry (Lead) Projections Calculator
        • Marketing Campaign - Simple ROI Calculator
        • Campaign ROAI & Breakeven Calculator
        • Campaign Lead Flow Calculator - Based on Desired Profit
        • Campaign Lead Flow Calculator - Based on Desired Revenue
        • Campaign Lead Flow Calculator - Based on Sales Cycle
        • Marketing Campaign Financial Results Calculator
        • Cost Per Lead (CPI) Breakeven Calculator
        • Marketing Campaign Circulation Sizing Tool
        • Lead Generation Calculator by Media Type
      • Direct To Consumer Marketing Tools
        • Direct To Consumer Marketing Assessment
          • Direct Marketing Self Assessment
        • Direct To Consumer Marketing Planning Tools
          • Direct Marketing Campaign Planning Guide
          • Direct Mail Campaign Financial Analysis Tool
          • Direct Mail Campaign Production Cost Estimator
          • Direct Mail Campaign Response Tracking Tool
          • Direct Response Advertising Media Selection Tool
        • Direct To Consumer Marketing Calculators
          • Average Order Value Breakeven Calculator
          • Direet Response Campaign Media Level ROI Breakeven Calculator
          • Direct Order Campaign Breakeven ROI Calculator by Media Type
          • Single Variable - Campaign Breakeven Calculator
          • Direct Mail Testing Financial Analysis Calculator
          • Mailing Package Production Cost Estimator
          • Telemarketing Campaign Calculator - Revenue Based
          • Telemarketing Campaign Calculator - Contact Universe Based
          • DRTV Ad Allowable Calculator
          • DRTV Income Cash Flow Calculator
          • DRTV ROAI Calculator
      • Digital - Social Marketing Tools
        • Digital Marketing Assessment
        • Social Media Readiness Assessment
        • Social Media Networks Database
        • Digital Marketing Calculators
          • Social Media ROI Calculator - Single Media Tactic
          • Social Media ROI Calculator - Multi Media Campaign
          • PPC Advertising Breakeven Calculator
          • PPC Adwords Profitability Calculators
          • Banner Ad ROI Calculator
          • Website ROI Calculator
          • Email Lead Generation Calculator
          • Email Campaign Revenue & Profitability Analysis Tool
          • Email Testing Financial Calculator
    • Trade Show Event Marketing Tools
      • Trade Show - Event Participation Sponsorship Checklist
      • Trade Show - Event Attendance Calculator
      • Trade Show - Event Breakeven ROI Calculator
      • Trade Show - Event Marketing Brief
      • Trade Show - Event Tasks Checklist Template
      • Trade Show - Event Budget Template
    • Product Marketing Tools
      • Product Evaluation Checklist
      • New Product Idea Screening Tool
      • Product Life Cycle Analysis Tool
      • New Product Launch Plan Template
      • New Product Launch Plan GANTT Chart & Budget Template
    • Sales Planning Tools
      • Sales Capabilities Assessment
      • Strategic Sales Account Plan Template
      • Account Executive Sales Plan Template
      • Sales Opportunity Assessment Tool
      • Sales Leads Pipeline Calculator - Revenue Based
      • Lead Flow Planning Calculator for Sales Cycle
      • Sales Force Sizing Tool
      • Sales Territory Planning Tool
      • Sales Prospecting Activity Rate Calculator
    • eCommerce, Catalog, Retail Tools
      • eCommerce / Catalog Marketing Assessment
      • Catalog eCommerce Business Audit Overview
      • Catalog eCommerce Business Audit Tool
      • Catalog Square Inch Analysis Tool
      • Catalog / List Rental Circulation Planning
      • Customer Retention Rate Calculator
      • RFM Scoring Model Calculator
      • Retail Financial Calculators
    • Higher Education Marketing Tools
      • Higher Ed Marketing Assessment
      • Student Relationship Management Assessment
      • Student Recruitment Self Assessment
      • Student Retention Self Assessment
      • Higher Ed Competitive Radar Tool
    • White Papers
    • Marketing Tools Request
  • Services
    • Marketing Needs Analysis
    • Market Planning Services / Programs
      • Routes-To-Market Evaluation & Planning Services
      • Strategic Marketing Plan Development Services
      • Marketing Assessment Services
      • SWOT Analysis Services
      • Market Intelligence Services
      • Market Opportunity Assessment Services
      • CRM Assessment Services
      • CRM Application & Vendor Assessment Services
      • Target Audience Identification Services
      • Customer Acquisition Program Services
        • Customer Acquisition Program Audit Service
      • Customer Retention Program Services
        • Customer Retention Program Audit Service
      • Partner Marketing Program Services
        • Partner Marketing Program Audit Service
    • Competitive Intelligence Services
    • Competitive Intelligence Packaged Programs
    • IntelliComp Competitive Analysis Software
    • Marcom Services
      • Inhouse Agency Planning & Setup Services
      • Marketing Communications Assessment Services
      • Customer Journey Mapping / Message Planning Services
      • Marketing Campaign Planning Services
      • Digital Marketing Assessment Services
      • Email Marketing Services
      • Digital & Social Media Services
      • Content Marketing Services
    • DTC & Retail Marketing Services
      • Catalog Marketing Assessment Services
      • Multi Channel Marketing Assessment Services
      • Catalog Merchandising Services
      • Catalog Planning & Design Services
    • Demand Gen & Sales Planning Services
      • Sales Capabilities Assessment Services
      • Sales Plan Creation Services
      • SalesGen2020 Demand Generation Services
      • Sales Pipeline Forensics Services
      • Lead Management System Planning / Design Services
    • Marketing Tools Request
      • Content Marketing Service Packages
  • Workshops
    • Marketing Planning Workshop
    • Customer Acquisition Workshop
    • Customer Retention / Loyalty Workshop
    • Marcom Message Planning Workshop
    • Direct To Consumer Marketing Workshop
    • Catalog Marketing Workshop
    • Partner Marketing Workshop
    • Lead Management Workshop
    • Marketing Tools Request
  • Knowledgebase
    • Marketing Planning
      • Do You Need a Marketing Plan?
      • Marketing Planning 101 Tutorial
        • Marketing 101 Presentation
      • Market Segmentation Criteria Checklist
      • Targeting / Segmentation Hierarchy List
      • Segmentation Analysis - 10 Principles
      • Types of Segmentation Analysis
      • Effective Competitive Analysis Guide
      • Market Research Checklist
      • Lead Generation Checklist
      • CRM Application & Vendor Selection Checklist
    • B2B Marketing
      • B2B vs. B2C Marketing
      • Sales Funnel Explained
      • B2B Lead Generation / Checklist
      • B2B Lead Scoring
      • B.A.N.T. a System for Scoring & Ranking Leads
      • Managing the Sales Pipeline
      • Building a Lead Management Program
      • B2B Landing Page Lead Form Design
      • B2B Social Media
    • Catalog Marketing, eCommerce, Retail
      • Quiz - Catalog Marketing
      • Merchandising 101
      • Anatomy of a Winning Product
      • Catalog Merchandising
      • Catalog Marketing 101 Tutorial
      • Catalog Marketing Overview
      • Catalog Marketing Checklist
      • Catalog Creative Strategy
      • Catalog Design
      • Catalog Design Checklist Tips
      • Catalog Copy Checklist Tips
      • Catalog Review Checklist
      • Retail Competitive Analysis Checklist
    • Marcom
      • Sales Promotion Planning Checklist
      • Campaign Planning Steps
      • List Rental Strategies
      • Circulation Planning Checklist
      • Advertising Campaign Planning Checklist
      • Advertising Checklist for Multichannel Marketers
      • Media Advantages & Disadvantages Checklist
      • Ways to Increase Advertising Response Rates Checklist
      • Creative Brief Checklist
    • Direct Marketing
      • Direct Marketing 101 Tutorial
      • When to Use Direct Marketing
      • Direct Marketing Process
      • Keys to Successful Direct Marketing Programs
      • Database Data-Driven Marketing Checklist
      • Direct Marketing Success Checklist
      • Direct Marketing Offer Checklist
      • Direct Mail Package Design
      • Direct Response Copy Guide
      • Direct Marketing Brochure Checklist
      • Direct Mail Email Design Tips
      • Direct Response TV / Video Guide
      • Direct Response Radio Guide
      • Direct Response Telemarketing Guide
      • Teleservices Definitions
      • Telemarketing Program Design / Creative Guide
    • Digital Marketing
      • Landing Page Design Guide
      • Website Information Request Form Design Tips
      • Social Listening - Why
      • Social Media Listening Tools
      • Social Media Networks Database
      • Direct Response Banner Ads Guide
      • Direct Response Email Guide
      • Email Copy Guide & Tips
      • Email Design Guide & Tips
      • PPC Ads - Tips For More Effective Writing
      • Guide to Creating Profitable Personas
      • How to Start a Successful Blog
      • Successful Blog Post Checklist
    • Higher Education Marketing
      • Adult Student Recruitment Checklist
      • Adult / Post-traditional Student Lead Generation Checklist
      • Adult / Post-traditional Student Retention Checklist
      • Email Tips For Colleges & Universities
    • White Papers
      • White Papers
        • 5 Principles to Drive Recruitement & Retention
        • 6 Irrefutable Truths of Succesful Marketing
        • 7 Strategies to Drive B2B & B2C New Customer Acquisition
        • 7 Strategies that Drive Enrollments Near & Long Term
        • 10+ Reasons Why Most College Marketing/Enrollment Plans Fail and How to Avoid Them
        • Adult Student Recruitment
        • Adult Student Retention
        • Adult Student Recruitment Best Practives
        • B2B Demand Generation Best Practices
        • B2B SEO & SEM
        • Build a Social Media Powerhouse
        • Colleges Chase Adult Students Away
        • Competitive Intelligence 101
        • Competitive Intelligence 101 - Higher Education
        • Content Marketing Doing It Right
        • Direct Mail Advertising
        • Direct Marketing Analytics
        • Direct Marketing Offer
        • Direct Marketing Business Plan
        • Direct Response Print Advertising
        • Direct Response Creative
        • Direct Marketing Campaign Planning
        • Direct Response Circulation Planning
        • Developing a Lead Management Program
        • Developing Messages and Offers That Increase Adult Enrollments
        • Lead Flow Planning
        • Lead Scoring, Priorizations, Routing
        • Marketing Metrics
        • Marketing Planning 101
        • Best In Class Referral Programs
        • Successful Direct Mail 101
        • Successful B2B Social Media 101
        • Targeting & Segmentation
        • How Some Colleges Chase Prospective Adult Students Away
        • Build A Student Recruitment And Retention Juggernaut
  • About
    • Our Founder
    • Industry Expertise & Clients
    • B2B/B2C/Retail Newsletter Archive
    • Higher Ed Newsletter Archive
    • Marketing Tools Request
  • Book
  • Contact Us
    • Marketing Needs Analysis - What do you need?
    • Marketing Connection Signup
    • Marketing Tools Request
      • Market Opportunity Assessment: Why You Need One & 5 Key Steps
      • Enrollment Management: Navigating Disruption to Achieve Success
      • 49% of retailers name in-store mobile experience a top priority
      • 2019 Digital Marketing Trends & Gen Z
      • Enrollment Management: Shifting Demographics & Shrinking Population
      • Smart College Recruitment Targets Wisely Using Segmentation
      • Email Marketing Tips
      • The hidden cost of selling direct – the returns game
      • 2018 Lead Generation & Recruitment Predictions & Tips
      • How's your marketing?
      • The Offer - How To Make One They Can't Refuse
      • Successful Product Development
      • How Direct Makes Digital Better
      • Questions That You Need To Answer
      • Do You Know What Your Competition Is Doing?
      • The Marketing Planning Process...Doing It Right!
      • Managing The Sales Pipeline
      • Being Prepared for Change (Why You Need Market Intelligence to Drive Revenue Growth)
      • Competitor Update: Coursera Coming to Eat Your Lunch
      • Discussion: Why Should Your Institution Exist in the 21st Century?
      • Discussion: Should Your College Exist in the 21st Century?
      • Welcome Back: Former Students, Graduates
      • Adult Students: Thoughts on the Chronicle's Report
      • Avalanche of Dreck...Are you part of the problem?
      • Profile of the Average Online Student
      • You Can't Make It Up In Volume
      • Simple Guide to Creating Profitable Personas
      • Amazon Losing Billions - You Should Be Scared
      • Comment: Why Most CMOs are Failing
      • Marketing Personalization...Most of It Isn't
      • Amazon's "Try Before You Buy"
      • Are Shoppers Really That Resistant to Self-Checkout?
      • B.A.N.T. May Be Old, But It Still Works
      • All The Martech In The World Won't Make You a Marketer
      • 9 Tips For Writing Effective PPC Ads
      • Blogging: 5 Reasons Why & 5 Tips for Success
      • The 4 Step Welcome Email Series
      • The Lead Management Game - Winning Or Losing?
      • Part 1: Podcasts Should You Start Your Own Podcast?
      • Part 1: Blogs: Should You Start A Blog?
      • 8 Simple Ways to Increase Enrollments
      • PART 2: Podcasts: Develop Your Plan
      • Should You Buy or Generate Your Own Leads?
      • How to Overcome the 3 Reasons Most Miss Their Enrollment Goals
      • Contact Strategy: People Buy From People
      • 2 Commonly Overlooked Causes for Enrollment Shortfalls - And How to Fix Them
      • Designing and Writing Effective Direct Mail Packages
      • Developing Your Content Marketing Strategy
      • How Content Marketing Can Increase Enrollments, Retention
      • Influencer Marketing: More Confusion Over Simple Concept
      • 10+ Reasons Why Most College Marketing/Enrollment Plans Fail & How to Avoid Them
      • Marketing Planning 101 - Are You?
      • Are CMOs' Jobs in Jeopardy?
      • Lead Flow Planning - Getting It Right
      • Omni Channel or Not? Retail Survival or Not?
      • Announcing Our New Enhanced On-Demand Services for Adult, Graduate and Continuing Education Programs
      • Tips for Great Direct Response Radio
      • Email Design Tips
      • Data-Driven Marketing...It's As Old As Index Cards, And Then Some...
      • Why They ain’t buying what you’re sellin’
      • New Degree Programs: What You Must Learn from Google, Amazon and Apple
      • Student Recruitment & Retention Goes to the Movies
      • Just Outsource It!
      • Why You’re Not Answering Their Questions
      • Adult Students: Are You Serious or Just Screwing Around?
      • Is Your Brand Safe?
      • Ask Questions
      • Event Marketing for Adult Enrollments
      • Retail is Not Dead!
      • Pros & Cons of In House Agency
      • Is Affiliate Marketing for Your Business?
      • Webinar: 7 Proven Techniques for Increasing Adult Student Enrollments
      • False Victories
      • Bring Programmatic Adv In House? Yes? No?
      • Call Attribution Tech - Do you need it?
      • Are you losing sales people?
      • Webinar: Adult Student Retention
      • Is ‘eMail Blindness’ Killing Your Business?
      • Direct Mail Tips for More Effective Student Recruitment
      • Marketers Wake Up...Get Those Phone #s
      • The Secret to Successfully Providing Life-long Learning
      • Higher Ed Marketing Podcast 3: Web Forms
      • Higher Ed Marketing Podcast 4: Thank you page
      • 2 Secrets to Achieving Adult Enrollment Goals
      • Social Worship
      • The Amazon Effect...Are You Ready?
      • Old Ways Don't Open New Doors
      • Early Results: Adult Student Recruitment Effectiveness Part I of II
      • Early Results: Adult Student Recruitment Effectiveness Part II of II
      • Webinar: Competitive Intelligence 101
      • How to Say the Right Thing so More Adults Enroll
      • Clear Communications, not Content Marketing, is Key to Achieving Adult Enrollment Goals
      • Are You Listening Carefully? Asking the Right Questions?
      • Missing Unrealistic Goals
      • What Are You Putting Into Your Sales Pipeline
      • Competitive Intelligence - What is it? Why do you need it?
      • Yes, You Do Have the Budget
      • Enrollment Opportunity: Under-served Segments
      • Why Colleges Are Failing to Achieve Adult Enrollment Goals
      • 01
      • 02
        • Are You Sitting Around Waiting for Business?
        • Get More Our of Your CRM Investment
        • Tips for Building Affordable, Effective Marketing Research Program
        • Smart College Recruitment Targets Wisely Using Segmentation
      • 03
        • Marketer's Toolkit Goes Mobile
        • A/B Testing: Some Important Rules to Follow
        • Targeting is Not Rocket Science
        • Snap Chat for Student Recruitment
        • Colleges Must Lead the Way in Marketing to Millennials
        • How Many Leads Do You Need?
        • Do You Know What a "Lead" Is?
        • Do You Know How Many Sales Leads You Need? Find Out With...
        • Content Marketing: It's a Mess
      • 04
        • What Is The Best Marketing Channel?
        • Do You Need a Marketing Plan?
        • Data Analytics Improve Enrollment Performance
        • Why Facilitated Strategic Planning Workshops are Most Effective for Your College...
        • Common Social Media Challenges and Solutions
        • 8 1/2 Common Errors in the Student Recruitment Process
      • 05
        • Differentiation - Colleges Need to Be Uniquely Valuable
        • Non-Traditional Students: Tips to Attract & Retain
        • Market Planning Process
        • Market Analysis - Identify Your Target Markets
        • Catalog Business Plan
        • 10 Common Digital Marketing Mistakes & Solutions
        • Tips for Recruiting Millennials to Your College
        • How to Lower New Student Acquisition Costs
      • 06
        • Your Website Needs Help
        • Better Adwords Performance ASAP
        • Higher Education Marketing Assessment Tool: A Demo
        • Join Marketing Connection Today
        • Marketers Are Focused On the Wrong Things
        • Marketing...It's About the Numbers
        • Colleges Without Market Research: Penny-Wise, Pound Foolish
        • Top Benefits You Enjoy From a Mystery Shopper Audit
      • 07
        • The Future of Content Marketing
        • Pokemon Go: Student Recruitment & Retention?
        • Whatever the Channel: Marketing Success Depends on 5 Factors
        • When Your Customers Aren't Your Customers - Social Media Pitfalls
        • Content Marketing Success
        • Why You Can't Afford to Pass on a Retention Audit
      • 08
        • Your Trouble With Adwords
        • You Can't Recruit & Retain if You Don't Know Your Audience
        • Facebook Live for Student Recruitment
        • How to Make Significant Improvements to Student Recruitment Results
      • 09
        • Why Facilitated Strategic Planning Workshops are Most Effective for Your College...
        • Video Marketing: Tips for Greater Success
        • The Details Are in the Plans
        • Digital Metrics: How Much is Real & How Much is Bullshit?
        • Video Content Marketing: Tips for Greater Success
      • 10
        • How You Can Enroll More Non-Traditional Students
        • Your Email Metrics Are Wrong
        • Too Much Content Too Much Waste
        • How Asking the Right Questions Can Increase Enrollments
        • Content Marketing for Higher Education Recruitment and Retention
      • 11
        • 5 Ways to Increase Graduate School Enrollments by Leveraging Data
        • Big Data, Predictive Analytics & Marketing Research Strike Out in Election 2016
      • 12
      • Direct Marketing Planning
      • How Many Leads Do Our Sales Executives Need?
      • The Drones Are Coming!
      • Advantages of Direct Marketing
      • Student Retention Tips for 2016
      • Outbound Telemarketing Missing Opportunities As Part of College Student Recruitment
      • New Study Identifies Opportunities to Improve Student Recruitment
      • 6 Tips to Improve Your College's Content Marketing Performance
      • Lead Flow Planning - Getting It Right

Category List

Retail Marketing (1)
Lead Management (7)
Marketing Analytics (1)
Student Recruitment (4)
Marketing Communications (4)
Marketing Tools (1)
Social Media Marketing (2)
Webinar (2)
Target Marketing (1)
Catalog Marketing (2)
Email Marketing (3)
Marketing Channels (1)
Digital Marketing (3)
Marketing Strategy (2)
Podcast: Higher Ed (4)
Market Research (4)
Market Opportunity Assessment (1)
Content Marketing (16)
Telemarketing (1)
Strategic Marketing Planning (3)
Marketing Connection (1)
Direct Marketing (9)
SEM (2)
Marketing (4)
CRM (1)
Competitive Intelligence (2)
eCommerce (5)
Demand Generation (1)
Retailing (2)
Mobile Marketing (1)
Internet Marketing (1)
Customer Acquisition (4)
Higher Education Marketing (55)
Marketing Planning (7)
Sales Management (3)
Omni Channel Marketing (1)
Advertising (1)
Martech (1)
B2B Marketing (1)
Marketing Management (1)

Tag List

Content Markteing (5)
Direct Marketing (13)
A/B Testing (2)
Customer Retention (2)
SMS Text (1)
Webinar (2)
Thank you page (1)
CMO (1)
Search Engine Marketing (1)
Marketing Audit (1)
Market Planning Process (2)
Direct Response (3)
eCommerce (9)
Podcast (2)
Catalog Marketing (4)
paid media (1)
Social Media (1)
Student Success (1)
Business Catalogs (1)
Gen Z (2)
Marketing Strategy (8)
Omni Channel Marketing (2)
influencer marketing (1)
Martech (1)
Millennial Marketing (1)
Adult Students (4)
Marketing Research (3)
Online Marketing (5)
Lifelong Learning (1)
Student Satisfaction (1)
SEM (2)
Multi Channel Marketing (3)
Target Marketing (2)
Campaign Planning (1)
Post-traditional Students (1)
Personas (3)
Differentiation (1)
Integrated Marketing Communications (1)
Lead Management (13)
Marketing Analytics (1)
Market Analysis (1)
PPC Ads (1)
Student Recruiting Campaign (1)
Affiliate Marketing (1)
Targeting & Segmentation (3)
Process Mapping (1)
Broadcast Direct Response (1)
Direct Mail (4)
Marketing Communications (8)
Lead Generation (18)
Higher Education Marketing (21)
DWS Associates Marketing (1)
Creative (2)
CRM (3)
Personalization (1)
Marketing Tools (2)
On Demand Marketing (1)
Target Market (2)
Data-Driven Marketing (1)
Key Metrics (1)
Email (3)
Website Design (1)
Market Planning (2)
Market Research (8)
Retail Marketing (9)
Mobile Marketing (2)
DR Radio (1)
Lead Nurturing (11)
Video Marketing (2)
Market Testing (1)
Event Marketing (1)
Adult Student Recruitment (1)
B2B Marketing (2)
Marketing Technology (1)
Marketing Planning (9)
Email Marketing (5)
Segmentation (5)
New Program Development (1)
Market Intelligence (3)
Sales Management (2)
Adtech (1)
Customer Acquisition (7)
Student Recruitment (25)
Marcom (1)
Assessments (1)
Student Retention (14)
Merchandising (2)
Student Nurturing (7)
Predictive Modeling (1)
Adwords (2)
Internet Marketing (4)
Student Enrollments (1)
Media Buying (1)
Advertising (5)
Student Acquisition (10)
earned media (1)
Marketing (17)
Generation Z (1)
Direct Response Email (2)
Offer Development (1)
Mystery Shopper Audit (3)
Selling (1)
Digital Marketing (9)
Customer Acquistion (3)
Telemarketing (1)
Call Center (1)
Market Opportunity Assessment (2)
Marketing Assessment (2)
Inbound Marketing (1)
Marketing Management (1)
Marketing Connection (1)
Competitive Intelligence (7)
Demand Generation (7)
College Retention (1)
Social Media (5)
Customer Service (1)
Product Development (1)
Retailing (8)
Revenue (1)
Strategic Market Planning (4)
Consumer Catalogs (1)
Database Marketing (1)
Dave Freeman (3)
B2C Marketing (1)
Marketing Channels (4)
Marketing Promotions (4)
Data Analytics (2)
Marketing Media (2)
Blog (1)
Direct Response Marketing Product (1)
Marketing Collateral (2)
Content Marketing (11)
Competitive Analysis (3)
Social Media Marketing (6)
Setting Goals (1)
retail (3)
eCommerce Product Development (1)
Enrollment Management (3)
Web Forms (1)
College Recruitment (1)
Strategic Planning (5)
Nurturing (1)
Profits (1)
Sales (3)
Outsourcing (1)
Higher Education (10)
Cataloging (1)
Business Development (1)
Market Segmentation (2)
Adult Student Retention (1)
Sales Pipeline (1)
Marketing Automation (1)

Tag Cloud

Multi Channel MarketingDirect ResponseMarketing PromotionsCall CenterMarketing MediaCustomer AcquistionOnline MarketingAdvertisingPPC AdsSegmentationAdult StudentsMarketing Assessmentearned mediaTarget MarketInternet MarketingNew Program DevelopmentContent MarketingCatalogingThank you pageMarket Intelligencepaid mediaLead ManagementLead GenerationStudent Recruiting CampaignAdtechMarket AnalysisMarketing PlanningCompetitive AnalysisDWS Associates MarketingSalesMarketing ChannelsPredictive ModelingretailBroadcast Direct ResponseMarketing StrategyMarket Opportunity AssessmentStudent NurturingMarketing AuditeCommerceContent MarkteingDigital MarketingMillennial MarketingSales ManagementDave FreemanCampaign PlanningRetail MarketingOmni Channel MarketingA/B TestingDirect Response EmailMarket Planning ProcessWeb FormsSearch Engine MarketingMartechRetailingEmailCatalog MarketingMystery Shopper AuditProcess MappingMarketing CollateralSellingSMS TextMarketing ConnectionTargeting & SegmentationNurturingSEMTelemarketingData AnalyticsRevenueGeneration ZCRMCMOProduct DevelopmentOutsourcingConsumer CatalogsMarketing AnalyticsEnrollment ManagementBlogLead NurturingDirect Response Marketing ProductPersonasCompetitive IntelligenceKey MetricsMarket SegmentationPost-traditional Studentsinfluencer marketingSales PipelineVideo MarketingDirect MailMedia BuyingPersonalizationMobile MarketingSocial Media MarketingDemand GenerationMarket PlanningStudent EnrollmentsDirect MarketingOn Demand MarketingB2C MarketingOffer DevelopmentAdult Student RecruitmentStrategic PlanningMarket TestingSetting GoalsGen ZHigher EducationLifelong LearningStudent AcquisitionMarketing ToolsBusiness DevelopmentStrategic Market PlanningeCommerce Product DevelopmentDatabase MarketingMarcomPodcastDifferentiationHigher Education MarketingAssessmentsData-Driven MarketingMerchandisingAdult Student RetentionAdwordsMarketingMarketing AutomationCustomer AcquisitionStudent SuccessStudent RetentionMarketing ResearchMarket ResearchIntegrated Marketing CommunicationsMarketing ManagementCollege RetentionTarget MarketingMarketing TechnologyDR RadioAffiliate MarketingCustomer RetentionB2B MarketingCollege RecruitmentWebsite DesignEmail MarketingSocial MediaSocial MediaBusiness CatalogsInbound MarketingCustomer ServiceMarketing CommunicationsCreativeProfitsEvent MarketingStudent SatisfactionStudent RecruitmentWebinar


Archive

2019

  • May

2 Commonly Overlooked Causes for Enrollment Shortfalls - And How to Fix Them

Aug 13, 2018

2 commonly overlooked causes for enrollment shortfalls.pngFor several years now, you’ve seen the stories about a supply and demand crisis in higher education causing about 50% of colleges and universities to fall short of their enrollment goals.

You’ve read the reports about the incredible opportunities available with the adult audience and may have developed more programs and services for this audience.

And hopefully, you’ve even spent a little time learning how to leverage your institution’s strengths and resources to turn opportunities into reality.

But in all that we’ve seen, these 2 causes for enrollment shortfalls are rarely mentioned, if mentioned at all.

Cause #1: The President/Chancellor & Board

Last year, we asked campus leaders at more than 500 colleges and universities around the U.S. if they had a written strategic plan and a dedicated budget for recruiting, retaining and graduating adult students.

The response was small – but overwhelming with 60% responded with “No, we have no plan or budget”.

Well, accountability and responsibility start at the top, so forgive me for putting this out there – but it is the responsibility of the leader of the institution to make sure that there is a written strategic action plan that moves the institution forward towards its mission.

No plan.  No budget.  No reason in the world the president/chancellor should be allowed to remain in their position of authority.

And any Board that allows this to happen should be replaced.

Cause #2: The Enrollment Team

Let me share a story that’s based on several meetings I have had with increased frequency in the past 3 to 4-years.

I am sitting at a conference table.  Across from me is the senior executive for enrollment management.  To my left and right are about a half-dozen people that introduce themselves to me as “dean” and “executive dean” along with “…and I am responsible for enrollments for my programs.”

With all due respect, when everyone is responsible – no one is responsible. And that means that the introductions have identified a major cause for failing to achieve enrollment goals.

Most of these people have been with the institution, in their current role, for 5 years and they all spend the next 15 to 20-minutes telling me that they have not achieved their enrollment goals for degree completion or graduate programs in 5 years.

I ask if they have a written plan. 

They admit they do not.

I ask if they have a dedicated budget.

They admit they do not.

I ask if they can describe for me their target audience, in detail.

Typically, the response I get to this question starts out strongly, with confidence and quickly drifts off to a mumble.

“Well, adults.  Men and women.  That work in nursing…..”

“Our target audience is over 25-years of age that are teachers….”

In other words – no, they don’t have a detailed description of their target audience.  And without that, you cannot expect anyone to achieve their enrollment goals. 

I ask how their current students heard of their programs, and what motivated them to enroll here versus other institutions in the area.

No one has an answer.

As the conversation moves on, it quickly becomes apparent that none of them have marketing experience.  Most are extremely knowledgeable and talented in their program area – but holding them accountable for enrollments based on their lack of experience, plan, and budget is just simply insane.

The senior-level enrollment management person in the room typically has a great background in financial aid or academic advising – but marketing is not a core competency for them either.

The Solution is Simple – But Here’s One I Don’t Recommend

As my bio states, I have been working with colleges and universities for 2-decades.  And what I have described above isn’t a new development – it’s been around since long before I showed up on the campus of a large public university to explain to the president and cabinet that if they wanted to achieve their goals, they needed to agree to a plan that included the resources necessary to make it happen.

But in the past few years, there have been more frequent instances of campus leaders contacting me because they had not achieved their enrollment goals in a year or more, and they wanted to improve performance and achieve enrollment goals moving forward.

They have no plan or budget.  And when they start talking to various firms, they come across one that offers marketing, enrollment and retention services – sometimes for a fee, and sometimes as a revenue-share.

If you’re thinking about that path – don’t do it.

Here’s why this is a path to destruction.

The conversation will start on revenue share and you will be told that this will free up hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions because you will no longer pay for marketing/promotion, enrollment staff, and advisors not to mention the technology needed to make these areas really tick.

No phone system upgrades. CRM. Marketing automation.

A chance to increase your cash flow by 6 or 7-figures - seems like a fantastic deal, doesn’t it?  But what typically happens when a deal is too good to be true?

Those that jump on this offer have enjoyed the increased cash flow until about the 12th month when the “partner” informs them that the enrollment goals won’t be met, and the partner model isn’t working so “…we need to renegotiate and make this a fee-based service…”

And at that point, you’re screwed. (That’s a marketing term, by the way.)

Now you are paying for a small group of people that are trying to serve multiple institutions along with yours at the same time.  If they’re like most call centers, they have about a 100% turnover rate, so you can forget about “knowledgeable staff building relationships with your prospective students as they help them through their enrollment process.”

You most likely still won’t hit your enrollment goals – and the cash flow is gone. 

Now your only alternative is to spend money you no longer have on technology and staff, so you can bring marketing and enrollment back in-house.

The Solution You’ve Been Waiting For

Bring the expertise you need internally and develop a written plan with measurable objectives along with the go-to-market plan detailing tasks, milestones, owners, and budgets.

Set up processes that allow you to gather the data you need to measure your progress and when you miss certain milestones, decide what action to take so you get back on track.

That’s what marketing professionals do, by the way.  Hire one or get one on contract to work with you as an independent contractor/consultant.

Have them build what you need internally. Develop the expertise through hiring and/or training. 

Select the technology and make sure the right people are properly trained to get the most out of it. 

Develop the processes that help prospective students realize your institution and programs offer them unique value, so they can quickly move through their decision-making/selection process to enrollment, retention, and graduation.

Comments and questions?

Feel free to comment below or contact me with your comments and questions.  And check out our special On Demand Service that provides you with fast, affordable expertise when you need it.



Tags: Marketing Strategy, Marketing
Category: Higher Education Marketing

user_avatar

Patrick McGraw is VP of Higher Educaton Marketing Services and has more than 25 years experience in market research, competitive intelligence, business intelligence including database marketing and CRM, strategic planning, brand development and management as well as operations/campaign management. His work has consistently helped his clients and employers develop and implement more efficient ways to attract and retain profitable customers, enter new markets and launch new products. His areas of focus include the education, hospitality, travel and tourism, hi-tech, telecommunications, financial services, and retail industries on both the agency and customer sides.


Add Pingback

Please add a comment

You must be logged in to leave a reply. Login »

« Previous
Next »

© 2025 DWS Associates

Log In