Admissions teams are buried under a mountain of unanswered emails, missed calls, and endless tasks, while potential students abandon applications at an alarming rate.

Institutions are struggling to manage the constant influx of student inquiries and the pressure to increase enrollment.

But what if your team could nurture leads, answer questions, and guide students through applications, all while enjoying their lunch breaks?

Enter WhatsApp drip campaigns powered by Cue: the game-changer for your admissions department.

In this blog, we're diving into the world of WhatsApp drip campaigns for educational institutions. You'll learn:

• What WhatsApp drip campaigns are and why they're your new best friend

• How Cue’s platform enables effective drip campaigns

• Drip campaign best practices and how to use them effectively

What is a WhatsApp drip campaign?

Ever wished for a flawless admissions assistant who nails every response and never misses a follow-up? That's essentially what a WhatsApp drip campaign is, and Cue makes it a reality.

A WhatsApp drip campaign is a series of pre-planned, automated messages sent to potential students over time. 

It's like leaving breadcrumbs of information that guide students along the path to enrolment, nurturing their interest, and answering their questions every step of the way. 

With a 45 - 60% click-through rate (compared to 2 - 5% for emails), WhatsApp is ideal for educational institutions looking to get more students and keep existing ones. But why should you use WhatsApp for drip campaigns?

Benefits of WhatsApp drip campaigns

Always-on engagement

Your drip campaign works 24/7, ensuring no inquiry goes unanswered, even when your team is off the clock. Cue's WhatsApp automation allows you to engage with local and international students across different time zones effortlessly.

Personalised touch

With Cue’s WhatsApp drip campaigns, you can tailor your messages based on student interests, behaviour, and where they are in the application process. 

In fact, 74% of marketers say that personalisation can increase engagement rates. 

By sending targeted information about specific programmes, campus events, or application deadlines, you're more likely to keep potential students engaged and moving through the enrolment funnel.

Branding and consistency

With WhatsApp drip campaigns, educational institutions can deliver a consistent message and experience to every potential student, every time. 

Consistency in branding and messaging can increase revenue by up to 33%. 

With drip campaigns, you ensure that every student receives the same high-quality information and support, regardless of which team member they interact with or when they enter your recruitment funnel.

Save time with automation

Automate routine communications, freeing up your team to handle more complex enquiries and tasks. 

Automation can save businesses up to 30% on customer service costs. 

Your admissions team can focus on high-value activities like personal counselling sessions or campus visits, while the drip campaign handles routine questions and follow-ups.

Increased conversion rates

WhatsApp messages have an average open rate of 98% compared to 20% for emails. 

This high engagement rate translates to better conversion rates throughout the enrolment funnel, from initial inquiry to final registration.

Improved student experience

Start building a positive relationship with students before they even step on campus. 

51% of mobile app users prefer to communicate with brands through messaging apps. 

By meeting students on their preferred platform, you're setting the stage for a positive, tech-savvy campus experience.

Improved information retention

Drip campaigns allow you to space out information delivery, which aligns with the spacing effect in learning. 

Research shows that spaced repetition can increase information retention by up to 200%.

By delivering key information about your institution over time, you're helping potential students better retain and process important details about their future academic home.

How WhatsApp drip campaigns work with Cue

Initial expression of interest 

A potential student takes the first step by showing interest in your institution. 

This could be through filling out a form on your website, attending a virtual open day, or engaging with your social media content, or WhatsApp ads. 

This moment of interest is crucial - it's your opportunity to begin a meaningful conversation and capture leads at their peak interest, increasing the chances of conversion. You're striking while the iron is hot!

Opt-In and contact list addition

With the student's permission (always get consent), they're added to your WhatsApp broadcast list. This permission is gold - it means the student is actively interested in hearing from you. 

You might offer this option with a prompt like "Get instant updates via WhatsApp" during the initial interaction. Build a database of highly engaged prospects. 

These aren't just names on a list; they're students who've invited you to connect.

Drip campaign initiation 

Your carefully crafted drip campaign springs into action. The first message might be a warm welcome, thanking the student for their interest and setting expectations for future communications. 

Subsequent messages could include information about programmes, campus life, application deadlines, and more. 

Start building a relationship immediately. No lead goes cold because you couldn't respond fast enough.

Triggered messaging

Messages are sent based on either time intervals (e.g., Day 1, Day 3, Day 7) or student actions (e.g., clicking a link, being added to a broadcast list, responding to a message). 

For instance, if a student expresses interest in the Engineering programme and gets added to the contact list, it triggers a series of messages about Engineering at your institution. 

Provide relevant, timely information without overwhelming the student. It's like having a personal guide for each prospect, nudging them gently through the decision-making process.

Interactive engagement 

Students can interact with Cue AI agents for quick answers to common questions like:

• "What's the application deadline?"

• "How much is tuition?"

• “How do I apply for financial aid?”

For more complex queries or when a personal touch is needed, they can be seamlessly connected to live agents. 

Cue’s platform allows you to use WhatsApp and AI to offer instant support 24/7 while optimising staff time. 

Your admissions team can focus on high-value interactions while the chatbots handles routine queries.

Tracking and optimisation

Your system continuously tracks engagement metrics - open rates, response rates, frequently asked questions, and more. 

This data allows you to refine your campaign in real-time, adjusting message content, timing, or frequency based on what's working best. 

This allows you to constantly improve your recruitment efforts. It's like having a focus group running 24/7, giving you insights into what prospective students really want to know.

Personalised journey continuation

As the student progresses through their decision-making journey, your drip campaign adapts. 

If they've shown interest in campus housing, you might send them a virtual dorm tour. If they've started an application, you could send encouraging messages and deadline reminders. 

Be sure to create a personalised experience for each prospect, increasing the likelihood of enrolment.

Conversion and beyond

The ultimate goal is conversion - having the student enrol in your institution. But the journey doesn't end there. 

Your WhatsApp drip campaign can transition into providing information for new student orientation, helping with the transition to college life, and even supporting student retention efforts. 

WhatsApp helps you increase enrolment rates and set the stage for student success. You're not just filling seats; you're building a community from day one.

Now that we've covered the basics, let's dive into how to create a WhatsApp drip campaign that'll have students clicking "enrol" faster than you can say "orientation week."

Enrol students faster with Cue and WhatsApp

We've journeyed through the exciting world of WhatsApp drip campaigns, from creating the perfect welcome message to sealing the deal with personalised follow-ups. By now, you're probably itching to start your own campaign (and maybe wondering how you ever managed without it).

But here's the real kicker: this is just the beginning. As technology evolves, so will the possibilities for using WhatsApp in student recruitment. The future of admissions is mobile, instant, and more connected than ever before.

Ready to transform your admissions process from a stress-inducing paper chase into a smooth, engaging journey that students actually enjoy?