In the fast-paced world of schools, these 7 school marketing time management tools are the key to success!
Balancing the demands of promoting your school – be it coordinating open day events, organising a photoshoot or maintaining an up-to-date website – requires a marketing team that possesses the ability to strategically manage their workload.
In this blog post, we will delve into essential time management techniques and tools that busy school marketeers can utilise to enhance productivity, stay organised, and achieve their goals efficiently.
Prioritise Tasks with the Eisenhower Matrix
The Eisenhower Matrix is a valuable tool for categorising tasks into four quadrants based on their urgency and importance. The enrollment journey of prospective students is like a puzzle with vital pieces such as marketing, open days, prospectuses and lead nurturing, to name a few.
You are the coordinator of these puzzle pieces. Start by listing all of your tasks and then place them in the appropriate quadrant: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, or neither urgent nor important. For instance, responding to enquiries from prospective families might fall into the ‘urgent and important’ quadrant.
Embrace the Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a tool to help you manage attention and focus. The basic principle is that you work in short bursts, followed by short breaks. Imagine you are creating some content for your website, for example.
Set a timer for 25 minutes and use this time to craft some copy that resonates with prospective families. Follow this with a 5-minute break. Repeat the cycle. Splitting your time into focused intervals will help you break up big tasks into bite sized chunks, and maintain momentum throughout the day.
Leverage Project Management Software
Project management tools like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com allow you to organise, set deadlines, and collaborate with your team members effectively. These tools can greatly enhance your efficiency, making tasks such as open day preparations and event coordination seamless.
Adopt the Two-Minute Rule
David Allen’s ‘Two-Minute Rule’ is based on the idea that if a task can be completed in two minutes or less, you should do it immediately. This rule prevents small tasks from accumulating and clogging your to-do list. Whether it’s replying to a quick email or making a minor update to a promotional flyer, addressing these small tasks frees up mental space and time for more substantial activities.
Harness the Power of Time Blocking
Time blocking involves scheduling specific blocks of time for focused work on particular tasks. Dedicate uninterrupted periods to crucial activities like content creation, social media management, or analysing marketing metrics. One way of applying the time blocking method is to assign Monday mornings, for example, for crafting open day invitations.
Automate Routine Tasks
Automation tools such as email templates and scheduling platforms like HubSpot or Mailchimp are great for managing repetitive tasks including enquiries and enrollment forms.
Email templates can help you respond swiftly to enquiries, ensuring that no prospective family is left waiting. You could also schedule enrollment form reminders to be sent automatically, leaving you with more time for personalised interactions.
Set SMART Goals
Use the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to define clear and actionable goals. For instance, you might want to increase open day attendance by 20% within the next year. Using the SMART framework will provide clarity and direction, shape your marketing strategies for maximum impact, and make your goals more achievable.
Mastering time management techniques and utilising the right tools are crucial for enhancing productivity in the dynamic field of school marketing. From prioritising tasks with the Eisenhower Matrix to setting SMART goals, these strategies will empower you to reach your objectives.
It’s also worth considering the advantages of outsourcing tasks to specialised school marketing agencies like Digithrive For Schools. Our expertise can complement your efforts, driving admissions and sign-ups for open days, and ultimately positioning your school as the first choice for prospective families.
If you would like more professional tips on managing your school marketing do get in touch with the Digithrive For School’s team who are always happy to help. contact us here