Recession, Education and You!

April 20, 2010 - PRLog -- Throughout 2009, many jobs were lost within education, businesses were turning away student placements and foreign students were seeking education elsewhere.
In February this year, education was dealt another blow as the Higher Education Funding Council (Hefce), the body that distributes government funding, revealed that funding would be £518 million less than last year.
In fact, it has been predicted that universities could lose up to £950 million over the next three years. The green shoots of economic recovery may lessen this blow but until the government can become financially stable it does not look as though this number will change.
The question on everyone’s lips is; “where can we get funding?” the simplest answer is through digital marketing.
International students will bring in that extra funding; around £10,000 - £20,000 a year, depending on course and establishment. But how you get them to sign up is where digital marketing has a part to play.
Many international students are as internet savvy as those in the UK, and some even more so! According to the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) over 25% of all internet users are Chinese, with a high majority at school age.
Most are looking to the internet as their only source of information, so to have an online presence should be the first priority of any facility.
Make your website interactive and easy to use. Be a one-stop shop for potential students; add forums and Q&A areas, so they won’t need to search anywhere else.
Be aware that not all international students follow the same trends as in the UK, make sure you do your research; look at other local social networking sites, not just Facebook and Twitter.
However, don’t completely focus all your online copy and content towards international students, UK students are also looking.
Creative agencies can work with you to help get this balance right, they will also be able to provide you with the technology behind the site so you can easily update your pages, moderate your forums and even personalise outgoing mailers.
Creative Jar has worked with a number of education institutions, assisting them in getting an online presence and working with them to ensure that they are at the forefront of the education industry.

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Creative Jar is a digital design agency based in Reading, the company works as a strategic partner with its clients to deliver outstanding work.