The job of a college recruiter isn’t easy. With countless colleges and universities across the country competing for prospective students’ attention, how do you stand out above the rest? Before you turn to university-branded pens or can koozies, we suggest trying an alternative: print. High-quality printed materials give prospective students a break from digital noise with a tactile experience that social media can’t provide.
Keep reading to learn about seven powerful ways to implement printed materials into your college recruitment strategy, inspiring the next generation of students to choose your university to call home.
1. Viewbooks
Viewbooks are comprehensive publications that provide an in-depth look at a college’s programs, campus and community. They are often larger and more detailed than other recruitment materials, aiming to give prospective students a thorough understanding of what your college has to offer.
A viewbook can be a great way to paint a picture of what life is like as a student at your college. To make that picture as enticing as possible, we recommend printing viewbooks on high-quality paper with colorful, vibrant imagery. It’s a sure way to stand out and above the slew of digital viewbooks your prospective students may be receiving.
2. Alumni Magazines
Colleges often produce magazines for alumni that highlight campus news, events and alumni achievements. These magazines can also double as a recruitment tool by showcasing the college’s successes and sense of community, helping prospective students see the value of attending and what life could be like post-graduation.
The other clear benefit of printed alumni magazines in college recruitment is their ability to create a dedicated, engaged alumni community. Alumni who feel valued will be more likely to help with recruitment efforts by encouraging the students they know to apply to their alma mater.
3. Course Catalogs
Course catalogs detail the college’s academic offerings, including course descriptions, faculty profiles and program requirements. These catalogs are essential for current students to plan their academic paths and for prospective students to explore the college’s academic options.
Offering printed course catalogs to prospective students will ensure they can easily browse your school’s course offerings to see if it’s a good fit for their desired major. Plus, according to Direct Textbook, studies indicate that around 62% of college students favor physical books over digital textbooks. This preference has decreased slightly in recent years but still shows a significant preference for print over digital formats.
4. Campus Guides
Campus Guides are publications that provide detailed information about the college campus, including maps, building layouts and other campus amenities. Campus guides often cover the history of the campus, highlighting key landmarks and providing historical background on the college’s founding and development. They also use photography to showcase the campus, including photos of buildings, landmarks and other features that make the campus unique.
Campus guides are designed to help new and prospective students navigate the campus and learn about its history and culture. They can also be valuable resources for alumni and visitors looking to learn more about the college’s campus. A well-crafted campus guide that features high-quality photography can be a valuable tool in promoting your college to prospective students.
5. Event Programs
Consider turning to a professional printer for programs for recruitment events, such as open houses, campus tours and information sessions. These programs provide a schedule of events and other important information for attendees, helping to make the event more organized and informative. High-quality printed programs will give any recruitment event a more elevated and professional feel.
6. Direct Mail Campaigns
One major role of college recruiters is to design and print direct mail campaigns targeted at prospective students, encouraging them to apply or visit the campus. Direct mail campaigns can be personalized and targeted to specific groups of prospective students, making them a highly effective recruitment tool. High-quality mailpieces are sure to be more enticing to prospective students. Plus, a full-service printing partner can help take the headache out of your mailing strategy, and may even be able to save you money on mailing costs.
7. Digital Editions
Digital editions are electronic versions of print materials, such as viewbooks, alumni magazines and course catalogs, that can be accessed online. While these are not a ‘print’ product in the traditional sense, partnering with a printing company that can create easily accessible digital editions to accompany printed materials can be an effective way to improve the reach of your recruiting efforts.
These digital editions can reach a wide audience and provide interactive features that enhance the reader’s experience. The nature of digital editions also removes the issue of limited space that comes with print materials, allowing your recruiting team to deliver more content without increasing costs. Consider combining digital editions with your print strategy to maximize results.
Print Powerful Recruiting Tools With Walsworth
As a college recruiter, you know how important it is to stand out. These seven methods can help you get the word out to prospective students and show them why your school is the best choice, as long as you work with a printer that’s up to the task.
With 87 years of experience, Walsworth is an established and knowledgeable printing company that has experience in all sorts of industries, including universities and alumni associations. Not only do we produce high-quality print materials that fit your budget; we can create digital editions to maximize their reach. If you’re ready to elevate your recruiting strategy with high-quality print, contact us today to get in touch with one of our experts.
