Welcome to AI for Yield Season, a special mini-series of The Application! Each episode is short (less than 10 minutes!) and packed with actionable insights to help enrollment professionals use AI effectively during one of the busiest times of the year.

In this first episode, Allison breaks down what AI can and can’t do for you. She shares real-world scenarios where AI can help speed up your outreach, personalize student interactions, and save time—without losing the human touch.

Key "How-Tos" You'll Learn in This Quick Episode:

✅ Use AI to Draft (But Not Replace) Personalized Emails – Speed up your writing while keeping it personal.
✅ Leverage AI for Smarter Student Meeting Prep – Summarize key student details in seconds.
✅ Know AI’s Limits – AI can’t replace human connection or strategic decision-making.
✅ Get Started with AI Today – Try simple, free AI tools with no complex setup required.
✅ Balance Efficiency with Authenticity – Use AI to handle repetitive tasks so you can focus on real conversations.

Next Up: How to Personalize Outreach at Scale Using AI – Don’t miss this bite-sized episode! Subscribe now.

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Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this episode, host Allison Turcio dives into the importance of collaboration in enrollment marketing with guest Greg Summers, a former provost turned higher ed strategist at BVK. Greg shares insights from his decades of experience on how enrollment marketers can engage faculty, staff, and leadership to ensure student recruitment efforts are cohesive, effective, and reflective of the institution's true identity.

From fostering cross-campus partnerships to addressing the complexities of academic culture, this episode is packed with actionable advice for enrollment marketers navigating one of higher ed’s biggest challenges.

Key “How Tos” You’ll Learn:

1. Foster faculty and staff collaboration: Build relationships and align communication strategies with departments across campus.
2. Define and deliver your institution’s brand promise: Use the student experience as a foundation for authentic and effective marketing.
3. Evaluate organizational readiness: Assess internal communication, strategic alignment, and leadership buy-in before launching major campaigns.
4. Educate campus stakeholders about marketing: Develop a strategic plan to clarify what marketing can and cannot do, using data to set realistic expectations.
5. Engage academic partners effectively: Create tools, templates, and messaging strategies that empower decentralized units to reinforce the institution's brand.

Guest Name: Greg Summers

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-summers-4b00819b/

Guest Bio: Greg Summers is a former faculty member and longtime higher education administrator who joined BVK to help universities develop and utilize focused brand positions as frameworks for integrated planning. In his ten years as a university provost, Greg helped manage the many challenges facing universities today, including the declining perceived value of higher education. His principal focus at BVK is helping colleges and universities to more fully leverage their brands to create meaningful student and stakeholder experiences that complement their marketing and communications.

Greg and BVK invite you to explore their new presentation, Beyond "Telling Our Story Better": How to Work with University Presidents, Provosts, and Deans, offered at no cost. This 1-hour, highly informative virtual session is designed for university brand marketing leaders and provides actionable insights, including:

• A proven step-by-step guide for engaging university leaders to position your MarComm office for success.
• Strategies to broaden campus leadership’s perspective and understanding of how marketing and communications can support objectives in rankings and reputation, recruitment and enrollment management, and fundraising.
• Methods for evaluating and improving your organizational readiness for brand and marketing initiatives, including determining resources and campus partnerships needed to achieve your goals.

This session is tailored to empower higher education marketers with the tools and strategies necessary to create meaningful collaboration and measurable outcomes.

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Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this episode of The Application, host Allison Turcio sits down with W. Kent Barnds, a veteran enrollment leader with over 30 years of experience, to tackle one of the hottest topics in enrollment marketing today: the shifting dynamics of campus visits. With students increasingly waiting to visit until after they’ve applied, how should colleges rethink their visit strategies? Kent unpacks the trends reshaping campus visit behavior, including the impact of social media and the rise of digital-first interactions. Enrollment marketers and admissions teams will walk away with actionable strategies for creating visits that drive yield and adapting their approach to meet today’s students where they are.

Key “How Tos” You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Design visits that drive yield: Learn how to roll out the red carpet and make every visit count, even with fewer opportunities to connect in person.
• Use digital behaviors as new signals of interest: Move beyond traditional demonstrated interest metrics like campus visits and focus on social media engagement, email interactions, and off-campus touchpoints.
• Shift your messaging timeline: Rethink your communication flow to account for students who may skip the traditional pre-application visit.
• Maximize the power of student-generated content: Develop a strategy for leveraging authentic student voices on platforms like TikTok and YouTube to influence prospective students.

Incentivize visits strategically: Explore creative ways to make campus visits more attractive, from scholarships to priority housing.

Guest Name: W. Kent Barnds, Executive Vice President for Strategy & Innovation + Vice President of Enrollment & Communication, Augustana College

Guest Bio: W. Kent Barnds is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in higher education, known for his strategic acumen and proficiency in driving organizational success. With a career marked by a variety of leadership roles, Kent has become a trusted advisor and strategist, particularly within the non-profit sector.  Kent's expertise lies in crafting and implementing effective strategies that align with the mission and goals of non-profit organizations. His strategic vision has played a pivotal role in advancing the objectives at Elizabethtown College and Augustana College, contributing to their sustained growth and impact. Through his strategic leadership, Kent has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of education and the overall experience for students.  Having served in key leadership positions, including Vice President for Enrollment, Communication, and Planning at Augustana College and as the Executive Vice President at Augustana College, Kent has honed his skills in strategic planning, enrollment management, and communication. His experience equips him with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing higher education institutions and non-profits today.  Kent Barnds is recognized for his ability to foster collaboration and engage diverse stakeholders in the planning process. His approach involves a keen understanding of market trends, data analysis, and a forward-looking mindset that positions organizations for long-term success. His track record of successful strategic initiatives underscores his capacity to navigate complex landscapes and drive positive change.   In planning sessions, Kent brings a unique blend of analytical rigor, creative thinking, and effective communication. His skills in synthesizing diverse perspectives and facilitating consensus make him an invaluable asset in strategic discussions. Kent's strategic foresight and ability to translate vision into actionable plans have consistently delivered results, elevating the organizations he has served.  As a thought leader in higher education strategy, Kent Barnds continues to make significant contributions to the field. His commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence positions him as a sought-after partner for organizations looking to chart a course for success in an ever-evolving national and international landscape.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this episode, Allison sits down with Jason Keath, co-founder of SocialFresh and a strategist at Convince and Convert, to unpack how prospective students are researching colleges in 2024-2025. Drawing from recent research involving over 1,400 Gen Z students, Jason reveals what’s driving college decisions, where students are finding trusted information, and how enrollment marketers can adapt their strategies to meet students where they are. From website optimization to social media and email, this episode is packed with actionable insights to refine your enrollment marketing game.

Key "How-Tos" You'll Hear in This Episode:

• Optimize Your Website for Prospective Students: Ensure your homepage prioritizes key college decision factors like majors, financial aid, and campus life.
• Leverage UGC and Video Content Effectively: Develop student-generated content and organize it into search-friendly playlists on platforms like YouTube.
• Encourage Authentic Peer Voices: Build student creator programs with clear incentives and amplify their content through both institutional and personal channels.
• Refine Your Email Marketing Strategy: Use email to share authentic student stories and incorporate engaging visuals like GIFs to boost video engagement.

Invest in YouTube as a Strategic Priority: Use short-form and playlist content to provide trusted insights and answers to student questions.

Guest Name: Jason Keath, Cofounder, Social Fresh and Strategist, Convince & Convert

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkeath/

Guest Bio: Jason Keath was one of the first people in the world to run ads on Facebook in 2004. He co-founded Social Fresh, the original social media conference and consultancy, and collaborates with brands as an expert in social media, performance marketing, and creative strategy.  He is also a strategist with the consulting firm Convince & Convert, where he currently leads research on higher education enrollment and how Gen Z makes college decisions.

2024 Higher Education Marketing Report: https://www.convinceandconvert.com/higher-ed-report/

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this episode, Allison talks with Lauren Brooks, a higher ed marketing strategist known for her innovative approaches to CRM implementation, digital campaigns, and team alignment. With over a decade of experience in helping institutions achieve enrollment goals, Lauren brings insights into balancing immediate enrollment targets with long-term strategic goals without compromising mental health. The conversation covers practical ways to align teams, maintain brand clarity, and prioritize mental health, drawing from Lauren’s own experience and her passion for advocacy.

Key "How-Tos" You'll Hear in This Episode:

• Achieve Alignment on Enrollment Goals Across Departments Learn methods to break down silos and foster collaboration between admissions, marketing, and academic departments to ensure all teams are working toward a unified goal.
• Prioritize Long-Term Strategy Alongside Immediate Wins Gain insights on creating "optimistic" and "realistic" versions of strategic plans to set expectations, manage resources, and prevent burnout.
• Incorporate Mental Health and Wellness into Team Culture Hear Lauren’s journey and her advice on creating a work environment where team members can communicate openly about capacity and personal needs, and where leaders actively support mental wellness.
• Leverage Consistency and Clarity in Brand and Enrollment Messaging Discover how maintaining a consistent brand story across ads, emails, and face-to-face interactions can enhance the student experience and ultimately drive enrollment results.

Create Sustainable, Data-Driven Communication Strategies Learn practical steps for segmenting communications by audience type, collecting accurate data, and ensuring prospective students receive relevant, timely, and personalized messages throughout their journey.

Guest Name: Lauren Brooks, Enrollment Marketing Manager, California College of the Arts

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurencbrooks/

Guest Bios: Lauren Brooks has worked in higher education for over 10 years in both the admissions and marketing/communications departments at three different institutions. Her speciality is creating new processes the institutions haven't utilized yet. She's lead teams in implementing CRMs, new email campaigns, and digital marketing. Her experience helps to connect admissions and marketing teams to trust one another and work together to hit their enrollment goals and processes. In the fall of 2021, she quit her job due to extreme burnout and took a mental health break. She is passionate about advocating for people's mental health, especially Black women. In everything she does, she aims to bring her full and authentic self. In her free time, you can find her spending time with friends, watching or listening to true crime documentaries, reading all the books, going to concerts, enjoying a nap or three, or watching women's sports (go Bay FC and the Valkyries).

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this forward-thinking episode, Allison speaks with Tom Mikowski, VP of Business Development and Higher Education Partnerships at Allied Pixel. Tom shares insights from his 30-year career in enrollment and discusses how data-driven personalized video can dramatically elevate student engagement and drive conversions. He emphasizes the role of personalization in capturing the attention of today’s “YouTube and TikTok” generation and discusses the power of tailored video in meeting the digital expectations shaped by platforms like Amazon. From initial inquiry through financial aid, Tom highlights how video can transform each stage of the enrollment funnel by fostering connection and conveying vital information effectively.

1. Engage Prospects Across the Funnel with Tailored Messaging
   Learn how personalized video strategies can be used at each stage, from inquiry to enrollment, to increase relevance and resonance with prospective students.
2. Leverage Data to Make Videos More Relevant
   Discover how using academic interests, location, and student type (like first-generation or commuter status) can guide customized video content that feels truly individualized.
3. Utilize Multichannel Distribution for Maximum Video Impact
   Tom explains why colleges should distribute videos through multiple channels (email, text, admissions portals) and even how on-demand options can keep students engaged at critical decision points.
4. Engage Parents with Financial Aid Videos
   See how personalized videos that clarify financial aid offers can help first-generation families better understand financial aid details, and dramatically boost retention and yield rates.
5. Boost Engagement with Real-Time Website Personalization
   Explore how integrating real-time personalized video on a website can increase inquiries by creating an interactive experience for stealth visitors and actively engaged prospects.

Guest Name: Tom Mikowski, Vice President of Business Development and Higher Education Partnerships, Allied Pixel

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommikowski/

Guest Bio: Tom is the Vice President of Business Development and Higher Education Partnerships for Allied Pixel. Allied Pixel is a leader in providing data-driven personalized video to the education market. Allied Pixel has worked with organizations such as NACAC, CASE, and RNL and over 200 colleges from coast to coast. Tom has spent his entire career working within higher education enrollment. Prior to joining Allied Pixel 5 years ago, he spent 29 years at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI. - including the last five years as Associate Vice President of Admissions and then as Vice President of Enrollment. During his tenure at Aquinas, Tom was known for his focus on technology as he was involved with numerous projects for enrollment including: the AQ virtual tour, redesign of the Aquinas website, implementation of SLATE CRM and the creation of numerous marketing videos. Among his accomplishments, in addition to achieving record classes during his time there, Tom led efforts to increase global student enrollment that ultimately grew four-fold under his direction. Tom holds a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration from Aquinas College and has presented at many conferences including NACAC, College Board, RNL, CUPRAP and the Small College Admissions Conference.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this episode, Allison speaks with Dr. Raquel Bermejo about the often-overlooked emotional challenges students face during the college search and application process. Raquel shares insights into how financial anxiety, fear of choosing the wrong college, and the weight of being a first-generation student can impact students’ ability to apply and enroll. Together, they discuss actionable strategies for enrollment marketers to create empathetic and supportive communications that address these emotional barriers and foster a culture of care.

Key “How-Tos” You’ll Hear in This Episode:

1. Address Student Financial Fears: Acknowledge and address the specific financial anxieties that students may face, including concerns about affordability, scholarships, and the steps in the financial aid process.
2. Personalize Communications to Reduce Application Anxiety: Replace generic reminders with empathetic messages that encourage students to reach out for support on specific application steps.
3. Support First-Generation Students by Reducing Pressure: Tailor communications to ease first-gen students’ fears about fitting in and academic preparedness. Show them multiple pathways for success rather than a single “right” college choice.
4. Encourage a “Culture of Care” Mindset: Shift institutional messaging to prioritize student wellbeing over institutional priorities, focusing on transparency, empathy, and student-centered processes.
5. Engage Students with Genuine Questions and Options: Use messaging that invites students to share their concerns in a straightforward, manageable way—such as by providing response options (A, B, C) for easier communication.

Research Study Link: https://www.ruffalonl.com/blog/enrollment/the-emotional-rollercoaster-of-college-planning-why-institutions-need-to-step-up-their-support/

Guest Name: Brianna Blackburn, Assistant Director of Social Media Strategy at Bowling Green State University (BGSU)

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bermejoraquel/

Guest Bio: Dr. Raquel Bermejo is a seasoned researcher and educator with a passion for understanding the complex journey of college-bound students and their families. With 15 years of experience teaching graduate courses in education at Purdue Global, Raquel brings a wealth of knowledge to her role analyzing existing research, conducting inquiries, and interpreting conversion data. Her original research studies with college-seeking students and parents provide invaluable insights into emerging trends and student behaviors. Raquel's work informs and enhances the services provided by her organization, helping to create a more supportive and inclusive path to higher education.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this episode, Allison talks to Brianna Blackburn, Assistant Director of Social Media Strategy at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), about how social media can be a powerful driver of enrollment. Brianna shares her strategies for turning TikTok trends and Instagram posts into measurable enrollment outcomes and how her team has built a thriving online community of over 350,000 followers across various platforms. As a Gen Z-er, Brianna offers a fresh perspective on how to balance creativity with intention to engage prospective students, current students, parents, and alumni in a way that feels authentic and fun.

Key “How-Tos” You’ll Hear in This Episode:

1. Engage Prospective Students with Social Media Trends: Learn how to leverage trending sounds, viral challenges, and popular content formats to create engaging posts that attract and resonate with your target audience.
2. Optimize Social Media Platforms for the Enrollment Journey: Discover which platforms are most effective for prospective students and how to create a tailored experience on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to meet their needs.
3. Build Collaborative Campaigns Across Teams: Understand how to work with admissions teams, video production teams, and influencers to create consistent and engaging social media campaigns that align with enrollment goals.
4. Balance Multi-Generational Audiences on Social Media: Find out how to create content that appeals to multiple generations, from Gen Z to parents and alumni, without losing your brand’s unique voice.
5. Measure the Impact of Social Media Campaigns: Learn how to track success through key metrics like engagement, comments, and shares, and how to pivot when certain strategies aren't working.

Guest Name/Title/Employer: Brianna Blackburn, Assistant Director of Social Media Strategy at Bowling Green State University (BGSU)

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianna-blackburn-71289a150/

Guest Bio: Brianna Blackburn is the assistant director of social media strategy at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Ohio, where she leads the BGSU social media team, cultivating an audience of more than 350,000 across platforms. Over the last seven years, Brianna has scaled and coached teams to develop and execute social campaigns that have driven engagement and audience growth, increased brand awareness and boosted sales and enrollment. She is also a social content creator and social media freelance consultant.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Allison chats with Grant De Roo, founder and principal of ADV Market Research and Consulting. Grant shares his wealth of experience in conducting market research for colleges and universities, offering insights into how storytelling can become a potent tool for enrollment marketers. Together, they explore the critical role of brand clarity, the impact of storytelling on university messaging, and why focusing on the "plot" rather than the "character" makes a lasting impression on prospective students.

Key “How-Tos” You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Craft narratives that go beyond data points and facts to create a memorable brand identity that resonates with prospective students.
• Explore how brand clarity influences retention rates, discount rates, net tuition revenue, and institutional desirability.
• Discover the direct correlation between ad spend and brand clarity, underscoring the importance of investing in marketing.
• Learn why prospective students are more interested in understanding the educational experience (plot) than finding affinity with others (character).

By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with actionable strategies to leverage storytelling as a powerful tool to convey your institution's unique message, build a clear brand, and attract the right students.

For more info on the brand clarity research study, visit ADV Market Research.

Guest Name: Grant De Roo, Founder and Principal of ADV Market Research and Consulting 

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-de-roo-26062043/

Guest Bio: Grant De Roo is the Founder and Principal of ADV Market Research & Consulting, a higher education research and strategy firm. Grant conducts market research for colleges and universities around the country. In addition to frequent presentations for boards, cabinets, and faculty & staff groups, Grant is a frequent presenter at industry conferences, including AMA. Grant was previously the Director of Research & Strategy at a higher education marketing agency and formerly served as Associate Director of Admissions at Elon University. He holds an MBA in Data Analytics from Elon University.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Julie Johnson Novara, a seasoned copywriter, shares her insights on how to craft compelling copy that resonates with different audiences, especially in the higher education sector. The conversation dives into the nuances of effective copywriting, common pitfalls, and practical strategies that enrollment marketers can use to improve their messaging and connect better with prospective students.

Key "How Tos" from this Episode:

• Segment and Personalize Your Emails: Understand your audience and tailor your messaging to their specific concerns and needs, especially when writing emails. Personalization can make recipients feel valued and more likely to engage.
• Address Audience Concerns Directly: Don’t shy away from addressing potential objections or concerns, such as the cost of education. Tackling these issues head-on with relevant stories or testimonials can build trust.
• Use Visualization Techniques: Before writing, visualize yourself as the student or audience member. This helps in creating content that truly speaks to their emotions and needs.
• Stay Consistent with Messaging: Ensure that all communication channels—from the website to social media—are consistent in messaging and brand voice to avoid confusing your audience.
• Utilize Copywriting Tools: Tools like content mapping and headline analyzers (e.g., Headline Studio by CoSchedule) can significantly improve the effectiveness of your copy by ensuring it aligns with both your goals and SEO best practices.

Guest Name: Julie Johnson Novara, Freelance B2B Copywriter & Content Creator 

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/content-marketing-writer/

Guest Bio: A teacher-turned-writer, Julie spent 15 years teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) on three continents before turning her love of writing and education into a brand-building business. She’s thrilled about helping others communicate, so teaming up with marketers on content strategy and creation is… So. Much. Fun. Julie’s traveled the world but put down roots with her husband in central North Carolina.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register