Mastering Referrals: How Technology, Marketing, and Student Relations Finds your Next Students

Partner Written Article by Michael McKerlie, Leading Indicators

So you wake up in the morning, it’s a big day, a new cohort of students is due to start. You've done okay, got pretty good numbers. However, one of your trainers is crook, and you have an audit coming up. Both of these things are going to soak up time and money. On top of that, making the numbers for the next round of courses is going to be a challenge.

Sure, your agents out there are bringing you students, but the reality is they are bringing in fewer, and the commission you pay is starting to hurt. You could go out and find some more agents, but for the cost, you're debating whether or not it’s the right thing to do.

You know, absolutely, that the best way is to get your existing students to help out, but far out, between all the different systems, trainers, and audits you're managing, it's a real challenge to create the connection with your students to be bold enough to ask for a referral.

The key lies in your use of three vital ingredients – technology, marketing, and student relations. You take these three ingredients and you need to apply them to your student’s experience, which ideally you have mapped out into some sort of sequential journey. Bullet points, or a simple sketch of your student’s journey from discovering your course, booking through to alumni.

Leveraging Technology

Start with technology. Innovative solutions can streamline your operations and enhance student engagement. For example, bespoke survey systems and real-time dashboards can provide valuable insights into student satisfaction and performance at every stage of their journey. This means you can identify issues before they become problems and celebrate successes that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Imagine being able to track a student's experience from the moment they discover your course, through their enrolment, during their studies, and even as alumni. A Sequential Feedback System captures data at each critical point, giving you a clear picture of what's working and what needs improvement. This continuous feedback loop helps you stay ahead of the curve and keeps your students happy and engaged.

Effective Marketing

Next up is marketing. Crafting a compelling narrative around your RTO and sharing success stories can work wonders. Highlight the unique aspects of your courses, the success of your alumni, and the innovative use of technology in your teaching. Utilise social media, email campaigns, and your website to share these stories.

Remember, word-of-mouth is incredibly powerful. Encourage your current students to share their positive experiences on social media. Create a referral program that rewards students for bringing in new enrolments. Use testimonials and success stories in your marketing materials to show potential students the real-world benefits of your courses.

Building Strong Student Relations

Finally, focus on student relations. Building a strong sense of community within your RTO can significantly enhance the student experience. Organise events, both virtual and in-person, that encourage interaction and networking among students. Foster an environment where students feel supported, both academically and personally.

Personalised support is key. Whether it's through one-on-one mentoring, academic advising, or career counselling, showing students that you care about their individual success can make a big difference. Use technology to keep track of student progress and provide timely interventions when needed.

So What’s Next

Clearly, by integrating technology, effective marketing, and strong student relations, you can create a seamless and supportive student journey that encourages referrals. This approach not only helps fill your courses but also creates ambassadors for your RTO who will spread the word and bring in new students. So, despite the challenges, focus on what you can control and leverage the tools at your disposal to create a positive and lasting impact.

To find out how to incorporate student referrals and feedback into your RTO’s practice please feel free to reach out to: michael@leadingindicators.com.au

Leading Indicators is an expert at engaging students, gathering pertinent feedback, and integrating it into your systems so that you can be informed and take action.