In this episode of Mindful School Marketing, we welcome Ed Hollinger, an experienced educational leader and consultant. Ed shares his extensive career journey and mission to help individuals and organizations operate at their best. 

The discussion centers on strategies for navigating challenges in schools, including fostering versatility, leveraging strengths, self-care, and shifting conversations. 

We explore the application of these strategies in marketing efforts, highlighting their positive impact on retention and enrollment. Ed's wisdom offers valuable guidance for educators and school leaders.

In this special episode on The Mindful School Marketing podcast, we embark on a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the 50th Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) annual conference. Held at the picturesque Benedictine Schools in Richmond, Virginia, this milestone event brought together over 400 educators, school leaders, and professionals to celebrate five decades of educational excellence. From discussions on foundational teaching principles to insights into financial literacy and threat assessment, the conference explored a diverse range of topics crucial to the evolving landscape of independent education. As the conference unfolded, it became not only a source of information but a celebration of passion, innovation, and the collective commitment to excellence in education.

In this episode of Mindful School Marketing, we are joined by Jill Goodman, a consultant with over 20 years of experience working with independent and private schools. The episode focuses on the topic of running successful meetings in educational institutions. Jill emphasizes the importance of having a clear purpose for meetings and structuring them efficiently with well-defined agendas. She discusses the significance of follow-up, action items, and the need to hold participants accountable for their commitments. Jill also highlights the role of mindfulness in leadership, emphasizing the importance of understanding and inspiring your team to achieve a shared vision.

In this episode, we’re excited to guide you through the intricacies of planning, executing, and following up on admission events for schools. We'll highlight the critical aspects of strategic planning, including choosing the event format (be it in-person or online), setting clear goals, and optimizing your promotional efforts. We also talk through the importance of creating a memorable experience for prospective families, leveraging students as guides, and applying the reciprocity principle when it comes to event giveaways.

In this episode, we're excited to have a conversation with Devin Donaldson, Director of Development and Communication at Aspire Afterschool Learning in Arlington, Virginia. With over 10 years of experience in marketing, communications, and data analysis, Devin brings a wealth of knowledge to Aspire Afterschool's fundraising strategy. Throughout our discussion, we dive deep into the world of fundraising and we explore the significance of peer-to-peer fundraising, along with providing valuable insights into engaging board members in fundraising initiatives. This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in school or nonprofit fundraising, offering practical advice and guidance to enhance your efforts.

In this episode of Mindful School marketing, we explore experiential education and the profound impact it has on shaping young minds. We are thrilled to be joined by Todd Ormiston, a seasoned educator with 32 years of diverse experience, including teaching, coaching, admissions, and more. In a world often fixated on measurable outcomes, Todd unveils the power of storytelling and earned media in communicating the essence of experiential learning to both progressive and traditional education enthusiasts. Don't miss this enlightening conversation on the educational journey that goes beyond textbooks and tests to nurture young hearts and minds.

In a world where social media is essential for school communication, Stephanie Borges Folarin, Head of School at Wye River Upper School in Centreville MD, shares her secrets to managing it mindfully. On this week’s episode of The Mindful School Marketing Podcast, find out how Stephanie navigates the challenges that come with social media and the concept of mindfulness and its application in social media communication. We also cover learning how to effectively tailor social media content to cater to various generations and the necessity and benefits of establishing a comprehensive social media policy for schools.

Do you want to enhance your school's brand messaging and increase the effectiveness of your website? Look no further, because our guest, Chelsea Fanke, will be sharing the key to achieving that desired outcome. Join us on The Mindful School Marketing Podcast as she unveils the strategies and techniques needed to transform your brand and website, ultimately resulting in a stronger presence and heightened appeal for your school. Listen in as Chelsea explains the vital role branding plays in establishing your school's reputation and trust within the community and find out how a solid brand can leverage your website and influence audience perception positively.

In this episode of Mindful School Marketing, we are joined by Charli DeWhitt, a former Director of Marketing, Recruitment and Communications for a school network in Indiana and a current Enrollment Consultant with SchoolMint where she helps schools to attract and enroll more students. 

Charli shares her expertise in helping schools attract and enroll more students while highlighting the amazing things happening in their classrooms. The discussion centers around the importance of Google reviews for schools and the challenges they face in optimizing their digital presence. We delve into the history of Google reviews, the frustrating patterns schools have encountered, and the impact on different types of schools.

In this episode of the Mindful School Marketing podcast, we are joined by guest Suzy Wagner, the president of Brand & Buzz, a strategic communications firm. With her extensive experience in advertising, public relations, and communications, Suzy has worked with renowned brands and nonprofits. Tune in as we explore the importance of managing expectations around media coverage, highlighting positive aspects of schools, and finding timely news hooks. Suzy emphasizes the significance of building relationships with reporters, brainstorming ideas, and planning ahead to ensure schools effectively communicate their stories and messages.