4 Videos Your College
Needs in 2024
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re looking for innovative methods to showcase your college or university to attract prospective students and build community support.
Welcome to Tellwell! Our journey in crafting captivating narratives has led us to work with diverse clients, from agile startups to industry giants. We’ve also developed expertise in higher education, supporting institutions like yours to increase enrollment. Our mission goes beyond simple storytelling; it’s about sparking genuine interest and delivering tangible results. We’ve successfully guided educational organizations nationwide in defining their unique identity and forging strong connections with prospective students and supporters alike.
In our eBook, “The Only 4 Videos Your College Needs in 2024,” we’ve compiled our extensive knowledge and insights into a vital guide. In the current digital era, the effectiveness of video storytelling stands unmatched, and mastering this art is crucial for your institution’s outreach and engagement. Whether you’re an experienced marketing professional in the educational sector or a visionary leader in academia, this guide will support you in crafting essential videos that will attract, resonate with,
and motivate your future students.
Why should we use video in college marketing?
Storytelling and Emotion:
Videos convey stories and evoke emotions, making them perfect for illustrating the student journey at your university. A well-crafted video can vividly depict the student’s challenges, the support and opportunities your university offers, and the subsequent achievements, creating an informative and emotionally engaging narrative.
Diverse Formats for Different Messages:
Utilize different video formats for various messaging. Short, impactful videos for social media can capture attention, while longer, more detailed videos on your website can provide deeper insights into academic programs and campus life. Animated explainers can simplify complex subjects, and testimonials from students and alums can build trust and authenticity.
Integrating with Campaigns:
Videos can be central to your marketing efforts, showcasing unique programs, celebrating university milestones, or highlighting student achievements. Videos can significantly enhance engagement and response when aligned with your campaign goals.
Enhancing Web Experiences:
Incorporate videos into your website design, such as an introduction video on the homepage outlining the student journey or testimonial videos on program pages showing real-life student success stories. These videos guide visitors through
your university’s narrative and encourage engagement.
Branding with Visual Storytelling:
Use video to reinforce your university’s role as a guide in the student’s journey. Consistent visual storytelling in your videos can solidify your institution’s identity and message, making it a recognizable and reliable mentor in the student’s story.
VIDEO NUMBER 1
Introduce Your Institution’s Impact
on Student Success
Introduction Video: This video should create an inspiring first impression by showcasing the potential achievements and opportunities available to students at your college or university. Focus on your commitment to empowering students to achieve their aspirations, whether that’s through community service, career success, or academic excellence. Showcase narratives highlighting how the institution has been instrumental in shaping successful paths for its students. Include testimonials from alumni who have made significant strides in their careers and communities and visuals of students engaging in meaningful projects and activities on campus.
Sample Title: “Empowering Futures: How [Your College’s Name] Shapes Success”
Questions to Guide the Interview (Story):
- How does our university empower students to achieve their personal and professional goals?
- What unique opportunities does our institution provide for career development and
community involvement? - What success stories can we share of alumni who have made notable contributions
in their fields or communities? - What programs or initiatives do we offer that prepare students for their future careers?
- How do we support students in developing skills for success beyond academics?
Real Life Case Study
Northland College: Introducing Students to New Heights
Why it worked: The video for Northland Community & Technical College’s aerospace programs is a powerful tool for inspiring potential students. It highlights the college’s commitment to hands-on training and cutting-edge facilities, showcasing the exciting possibilities in the aerospace industry. By adding alumni testimonials and showcasing students’ impactful projects, the video can be a compelling call to action, inviting students to embark on a journey of academic excellence and career success at the college.
VIDEO NUMBER 2
Educate on Opportunities for Growth and Achievement
Educate Video: This segment should delve into your university’s comprehensive opportunities for student growth and achievement. Highlight academic programs, career services, and community engagement initiatives that distinguish your institution. Incorporate interviews with faculty and staff who mentor students and share data on career placement rates, graduate success stories, and community projects led by students.
Sample Title: “Pathways to Success: Opportunities at [Your College’s Name]”
Questions to Guide Content:
- How do our academic programs prepare students for successful careers?
- What are some examples of student involvement opportunities – such as community service,
student organizations or leadership roles – available to students? - How does our career services department assist students in job preparedness and placement?
- What are some innovative projects or research conducted by students that we can share?
- What skills and competencies do our programs focus on to ensure student success
in the real world?
Real Life Case Study
North Dakota State: Real World Journalism
Why it worked: With a vast array of majors and specialties, North Dakota State University’s Department of Communications aims to stand out by showcasing the success of its alumni and the vibrant experiences of current students. Through highlighting working studios, labs, and campus activities, alongside compelling testimonials, the department illustrates the real-world impact and opportunities available to its students.
VIDEO NUMBER 3
Engage with a Vision for the Future
Engage Video: Encourage prospective students to envision their future success by choosing your university. Highlight how enrolling at your institution is critical to achieving their career goals, engaging in transformative community work, or developing into well-rounded, successful individuals. Make sure to include clear calls to action for applications or campus visits.
Sample Title: “Begin Your Journey: Achieve Your Dreams
at [Your College’s Name]”
Questions to Guide Content:
- What are the steps prospective students can take to join our community?
- How do we facilitate students’ transition from academics to professional life?
- What are the outcomes for students who engage in our community service programs,
internships, or hands-on learning experiences? - What insights can we share from recent graduates about how the university prepared
them for their careers? - Why is now the best time for prospective students to choose our university for their future?
Real Life Case Study
WGU: Building Futures in Big Sky Country
Why it worked: This WGU story of Impact howcases WGU’s role in empowering rural students like Kayla Hecht-Bare to achieve their career goals through flexible online education. This story highlights WGU’s commitment to providing accessible education and addressing workforce needs in rural Montana, enabling students to succeed in their communities.
VIDEO NUMBER 4
Celebrate Student Achievements and Aspirations
Remind Video: Focus on celebrating the achievements of your students and alums. Share their success stories, highlighting how the university contributed to their accomplishments. This video should also offer a glimpse of upcoming opportunities and advancements at the university that prospective students can look forward to.
Sample Title: “Inspiring Success: Student Achievements at [Your College’s Name]”
Questions to Guide Content:
- What recent successes of our students or alums can we spotlight?
- How have our students impacted the community or their fields of study?
- What upcoming initiatives or programs are we introducing that will benefit future students?
- How do we recognize and celebrate the achievements of our students and alums?
- Are there compelling stories of students who have overcome challenges to achieve their goals at our university?
Real Life Case Study
WGU: More Than Just a Degree
Why it worked: The the story of Obianuju Akusoba, who overcame doubts about online education to thrive at WGU. As a working adult, she found WGU’s flexible, competency-based approach enabled her to advance her career without sacrificing her job. As the first president of the WGU Women in Tech Club, she built a community of over 10,000 members. Now a software developer pursuing a master’s degree, Obi exemplifies the transformative power of WGU’s education.
STORYTELLING 201
Using the Hero’s Journey to Empower Students in Choosing Your College
The Hero’s Journey is more than just a narrative structure; it’s a robust framework that can elevate how universities communicate with prospective students. Picture this: every engaging story follows this archetype, from classic myths to contemporary tales. In the context of higher education, the hero is the prospective student. They are on an essential journey towards their future, encountering challenges, seeking guidance (from your university), and ultimately transforming, equipped with knowledge and experiences.
Why is the Hero’s Journey so impactful for universities? Prospective students are drawn to narratives where they see themselves playing a pivotal role, narratives that evoke emotions and inspire them to action. By framing your university’s story with the student as the hero and the institution as their guide, you’re not just imparting information but inviting them on an exciting, transformative journey where they are the central characters.
Consider this: hearing about someone overcoming obstacles with support and achieving their dreams is engaging. That’s the magic of the Hero’s Journey in
an educational context. It shifts the student’s view of their college decision from a simple choice to a meaningful adventure. They’re not just selecting a program but embarking on a life-changing journey with your university as a trusted mentor, helping them reach their academic and career goals.
Moreover, this journey-centric approach is vital in university storytelling. It highlights the ongoing cycle of challenges and victories, showing how each student’s experience propels the narrative forward. This approach is powerful for keeping prospective students engaged and invested in their educational journey.
By incorporating the Hero’s Journey in your university storytelling, you invite students into a compelling narrative where they are the protagonists, and your institution plays a crucial guiding role. It’s about making them feel integral to an extraordinary and impactful journey.
make the most of your investment
video placement checklist
To ensure your prospective students see and engage with your videos, consider these placements:
Website:
- Homepage Introducing the student journey
- Program Pages Demonstrating solutions
- Blog or news sections Sharing student stories
- About Us page Establishing your university as the guide
Social Media Platforms:
- Facebook Posts, Facebook Live, cover video
- Instagram Posts, stories, IGTV
- X, formerly known as Twitter. Tweets, pinned tweet
- LinkedIn Posts, university page
Email Campaigns:
- Newsletters Featuring student journeys
- Program and event announcements
- Thank you and follow-up emails
YouTube Channel:
- Regularly updated with content related to student journeys
- Organized into playlists for easy navigation e.g., success stories, how-tos
Events and Webinars:
- Featuring student stories and testimonials
- Sessions focused on addressing student needs and solutions
Digital Advertisements:
- Google ads
- Social media ads
- Video platforms like YouTube
Partner Websites and Blogs:
- Collaborations with influencers and local businesses sharing similar student stories
Offline Settings:
- College events featuring student journey narratives
- Information kiosks with interactive student stories
- Presentations highlighting how your college guides students careers
By strategically placing videos across these platforms, you ensure that your message reaches your audience effectively, encouraging them to embark on their journey with your university. Remember, the key is creating captivating content and ensuring
it’s seen at the right time by the right people.
Wrap it up!
As we conclude this exploration of “The Only 4 Videos Your College Needs in 2024,” we hope you feel inspired to elevate your university’s storytelling to new heights. At Tellwell Story Co., we believe in the transformative power of stories to move hearts and minds. This eBook’s insights and strategies, adapted from our experience assisting institutions like yours, are designed to create a significant impact.
As you create these videos, remember that storytelling is an evolving art. Each story you tell is not just content; it’s a conversation, an opportunity to deepen relationships with your audience and act as a catalyst for change. We encourage you to use these video strategies as a foundation and infuse them with your unique flavor, passion, and vision.
Let’s make 2024 a year of unforgettable stories and unparalleled impact. If you ever need a partner crafting these narratives, remember that we at Tellwell are just a story away.