How to Reach Your Target Market
Marketing an ESL School
Small and medium size english as a second language schools can compete and even outperform larger competitors. All it takes is the right marketing plan.
We see marketing as the great equalizer, a business discipline capable of dramatically increasing a small company's footprint in the marketplace.
It's not hard to convince most business owners that marketing plays a vital role in strategic planning. But in a zero-sum economy, there are winners and losers -- and here are some of the things that will help keep your english as a second language school at the top of the heap.
Make Sure You Have a Good Business Sign
Good signage is a Business 101 concept. Although english as a second language schools come in all shapes and sizes, sign content should focus on some common industry themes in addition to the details of your business. Visibility, branding elements and other considerations are all factors in the design and size of your operation's business signage.
Given the fact that signage in english as a second language schools has unique characteristics, avoid glossing it over as an afterthought. Make sure you consider important business sign considerations before you invest in a new business sign.
Company Website
Technology is changing the way small businesses market their products and brands. The on-ramp for using technology to promote your english as a second language school is also the anchor point for your technological strategy: A company website. A shoddy, thrown-together website is a net loss for your organization. To compete online, your website has to contain features and design elements that encourage visitors to drill deeper and incorporate the site into their online routines. But you will also need to consider how you will attract visitors to your site and what you will do with them once they are there -- and that means you'll need to include SEO and conversion path considerations in the web design process.
ROI
Good marketing is expensive. ROI concerns should be at the forefront of your mind when you think about the many ways you can promote your english as a second language school.
Mailings and other direct marketing strategies are common, but to realize maximum ROI we recommend purchasing consumer or B2B mailing lists from a reputable provider. Using the web, you can easily find the leading mailing list providers with an extensive database of targeted and updated sales prospects.
Share this article
Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs