Telling the story of your school district is essential to garnering new students and families. Strong testimonials from current students, alumni, and faculty members is a great way to control the narrative, highlighting the unique aspects that make an education at your district special. 88% of people trust testimonials and reviews as much as recommendations from friends or family, demonstrating the power of testimonials. The use of good testimonials may be the deciding factor that persuades new families to enroll in your district.
Here are some tips to effectively use testimonials to tell your school’s story:
- Reach your target audience: Before you begin getting testimonials, identify your target audience. Keep in mind who you want to reach, and what type of stories will make an impression on them. Knowing these factors will help you choose the correct people to interview and the most enthralling stories to share.
- Select the right storytellers to feature: Choose individuals who can speak with genuine passion about their experiences at the school. Feature students in varying grades, alumni with ranging backgrounds and careers, and faculty members with distinctive teaching styles.
- Incorporate a multimedia approach: Use a combination of written, audio, and video testimonials to highlight the diverse experiences at your school district. For example, you could create a video of alumni sharing their success following graduation or a podcast that features students sharing what they are most excited about following graduation and what advice they have for incoming seniors.
- Ask open-ended questions: When it comes time to interview, ask open-ended questions to facilitate detailed answers. Avoid using questions that are leading that may limit the responses you receive.
- Use direct quotes: When incorporating testimonials into your messaging, use direct quotes rather than paraphrasing. This method is more authentic, giving readers the ability to connect with the story being told.
Testimonial Examples:
Student Testimonial:
The below student testimonial from Cambridge not only is visually appealing, it highlights the numerous ways the school has impacted the student. Aim for testimonials that showcase the student’s career and education goals, as well as any valuable lessons or growth that student has experienced.
Parent Testimonial:
The below parent testimonial from Maryel does a great job of highlighting the school’s positive impact on their child and family.
“Hi, I’m Mendy. My son Thomas is a first-grader at Maryel School of New York. We have been part of the Maryel family since he was three years old. We love the nurturing and warm environment and community that the school provides. Maryel offers a strong, diverse curriculum, but what I think is so important is that parents and teachers work as a team in the education and development of our children. I highly recommend Maryel and know that your family will be as happy as we have been”.
By utilizing strong testimonials into your school’s storytelling, you can generate a more captivating and genuine brand narrative. This will leave your audience feeling a personal connection to your school, which can ultimately lead to increased enrollment and a stronger reputation. For more ideas on how to make the best use of testimonials for your district, connect to our team of savvy storytellers!