Branding strategies are just as valuable to academic institutions as they are to any other organization. Do it right, and you’ve got yourself a foolproof method of setting your school apart from others.

In our experience, using storytelling tactics to build a school’s communications plan works wonders in humanizing its brand. It not only enhances a school’s brand management endeavors but also drives enrollment.

Storytelling has been a core element in the evolution of our society. From this, we can gather the need to create narratives that appeal to people and help build a favourable impression in their minds about a brand. 

Here are a few ways how a storytelling-focused communication approach can elevate your school’s growth.

Communicate Values Through Brand Management

An important step in building your brand is identifying what you want to be recognized for. Storytelling can assist you in communicating the institution’s mission, ideologies and policies in a manner that resonates with both parents and students.

What this accomplishes is that it enables your school to shape its brand legacy.

Students spend their formative years at school, being influenced by the values and culture they see depicted around them. As a cultural institution, one that plays a substantial role in the upbringing of children, it then becomes imperative for you to establish branding strategies that communicate your values loud and clear.

And there’s no better way to achieve that than through highlighting the motivations, history and experiences that keep you and your team dedicated to serving the community. 

Connect With Potential Families

When parents invest in their children’s education, they want to know exactly how the institution is going to benefit them.

They look for reputation, student experience, culture, impact and several other factors before making a decision. An ideal match then becomes the determining factor that compels parents to choose you over the other alternatives available to them 

This is why a communication approach that uses storytelling tactics enables you to capture the attention of families who could potentially become your customers. 

Whether you create a series of personal branding videos where your alumni talk about their achievements or distribute a newsletter full of information beneficial to parents, you must focus on tapping into the emotions and aspirations of parents. 

It is all about persuasion. How well are you able to narrate your school’s background and vision? How convincingly can you communicate your strengths and goals? Keep in mind that this is not about stretching the truth; it’s about putting a spotlight on your school, your people and your impact.

Parents want to visualize how their family fits into your school community. This is your time to shine.

Stand Out in the Market

A school communications plan goes a long way in maintaining clarity about your priorities. It facilitates effective internal communication and helps everyone on your team get on the same page, as it provides a roadmap, milestones, goals and metrics to evaluate for success.

Fostering teamwork through storytelling-based branding strategies will enable your school to stand out in the market. While it involves abundant creativity, it can serve as a pillar to gauge the performance of your brand marketing initiatives.

Just think about it. Would parents prefer to enroll their kids in a school that uses their digital presence to engage with their audience or one that does the bare minimum outside of providing educational services? 

Moreover, you can pave your path to becoming a thought leader, one that parents and students want to be associated with. That is the power of storytelling. 

Redefine the Education Sector

It is one thing to be a leading academic institution, but to be fueling a movement that strives to make education an inextricable and memorable part of every child’s life should be the goal of any school. 

Through tailored brand marketing solutions, you can lead the conversation regarding the education sector and redefine what it stands for.

Your contribution to the market can very well positively impact the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of students. 

A solid communication approach will appeal to the sensibilities of parents and guardians alike and will guide you in creating a sense of community that caters to the well-being of students while prioritizing their holistic development.

Conclusion

Storytelling can be the key element that transforms your school communications plan into a series of effective measures to scale your organization’s growth.

The benefits of such creative narratives are a dime a dozen. But essentially, they help you build your reputation as a student-first institution.

Not sure where or how to start? We can help you. Contact us today and let’s chat about how we can help tell your school’s story.