13 Sept 2024
Your admissions team is already drowning in spreadsheets, juggling countless email threads, and playing phone tag with potential students.
And those eager applicants? They’re slipping through the cracks faster than a freshman's first week's resolutions.
With Cue and WhatsApp drip campaigns, you can turn this admissions chaos into a streamlined, personalised journey that guides students from curious prospects to excited students.
In this blog, we're diving into the nitty-gritty of building WhatsApp drip campaigns that work. You'll learn:
How to create the perfect drip campaign using Cue's powerful platform
Step-by-step guidance for each stage of the student journey
Best practices for creating campaigns that convert curious clicks into committed students
Quick recap: WhatsApp drip campaigns
Before we dive into the how-to, let's quickly recap what WhatsApp drip campaigns are and why they're a game-changer for educational institutions:
WhatsApp drip campaigns are a series of automated, personalised messages sent to prospective students over time. Think of them as your tireless digital admissions assistant, nurturing leads and guiding students through the enrolment journey 24/7.
Key features of WhatsApp drip campaigns:
Automated messaging based on triggers or timelines
Personalised content tailored to student interests and behaviours
High engagement rates and increased response rates
Interactive elements like chatbots and live agent handoffs
How they work:
Capture student interest through various touchpoints
Add consenting students to your WhatsApp list
Send a series of targeted messages over time
Adapt content based on student interactions and progress
Guide students from initial inquiry to enrolment
WhatsApp drip campaigns powered by Cue offer a powerful way to streamline your admissions process, boost engagement, and ultimately increase enrollment rates.
To learn more about WhatsApp drip campaigns powered by Cue, how they work and what they are, read our blog.
Now, let's roll up our sleeves and learn how to build these drip campaigns!
Creating the ideal WhatsApp drip campaign with Cue
Creating WhatsApp drip campaigns with Cue is a matter of setting up and creating broadcasts.
The free WhatsApp Business mobile app doesn’t allow you to schedule broadcast messages and create drip campaigns, so you’ll need to partner with a WhatsApp Business provider like Cue. Here’s how to send a WhatsApp broadcast with Cue:
Now let’s dive in to setting up and creating your first WhatsApp drip campaign.
Stage 1: The welcome message
This is your first message after a student opts in to receive WhatsApp communications. They can opt-in by scanning QR codes or even initiating a chat with you first. Use a WhatsApp broadcast to send a warm, engaging welcome message to new contacts.
Stage 2: Programme exploration
This would be a series of messages introducing your various programmes and majors. After sending a broadcast and the prospect chooses an option, send them back into a flow and let a WhatsApp chatbot guide students through programme options based on their interests.
Stage 3: Campus life showcase
Consider sending messages highlighting the unique aspects of campus life at your institution. Use a mix of broadcasts and, live chat and interactive chatbot messages to share engaging content about student life.
Stage 4: Application assistance
This is where you start closing those leads. Send messages guiding interested students through the application process. Send a broadcast message and allow students to speak to a live agent for personalised assistance.
Stage 5: Deadline reminders and FOMO
Remind prospects what they’re missing out on. Send urgent messages as application deadlines approach and use broadcasts to create a sense of urgency and excitement.
Stage 6: The follow-up and upsell
Students have either applied or enroled, and now it’s time to send messages to keep students engaged and explore additional opportunities. Use a mix of broadcasts and chatbot interactions to provide updates and introduce other programmess or services.
Drip campaign best practices
Personalisation is key
Don't just blast generic messages. Use the student's name, reference their programme of interest, and tailor content based on their interactions. The more personal it feels, the more engaged they'll be.
Timing is everything
Space out your messages to maintain interest without overwhelming students. Start with more frequent messages (maybe bi-weekly) when they first express interest, then adjust to weekly as the process continues. But always ramp up frequency as deadlines approach to create urgency.
Provide value in every message
Each message should offer something useful – information, answers, or next steps. If you're not adding value, you're just adding noise.
Keep it conversational
Write like you're chatting with a friend. Use emojis, ask questions, and keep the tone light and engaging. Remember, you're building a relationship, not writing a textbook.
Offer clear calls-to-action
Every message should guide the student towards a next step, whether it's exploring a programme, starting an application, or reaching out for help.
Balance automation with human touch
While automation is great, sometimes students need that personal connection. Make it easy for them to reach a real person when needed.
Respect their space
Always provide an easy opt-out option. It's not just good manners – it's the law in many places.
Stay compliant
Ensure your campaigns comply with data protection regulations like GDPR and POPIA. Always get explicit consent before adding students to your WhatsApp list.
Transform admissions with Cue's WhatsApp drip campaigns
From creating the perfect welcome message to sealing the deal with personalised follow-ups, one thing becomes clear: the future of boosting enrolments is here, and it's in the palm of your hand.
By leveraging Cue's powerful platform to create and manage your WhatsApp drip campaigns, you're not just adapting to the digital – you're setting the gold standard for student engagement.
Here's what you're gaining with Cue’s WhatsApp automation:
Time-saving automation: Let your drip campaigns do the heavy lifting, freeing your admissions team to focus on high-value interactions.
Personalised journeys: Guide each student through a tailored experience that speaks to their unique interests and needs.
Real-time engagement: Meet students where they are – on their phones – with messages that boast a staggering 98% open rate.
Data-driven insights: Use Cue's analytics to continuously refine your approach and boost your enrolment numbers.
Smooth scalability: Grow your recruitment efforts without drastically increasing your workload or costs.
The best part about Cue's platform? It grows with you. As you become more comfortable with drip campaigns, you can experiment with more complex flows, A/B testing, and advanced personalisation. The possibilities are as limitless as your creativity.
