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Key Factors Influencing Students Decision For Study Abroad Advisor

As a Study abroad Advisor who has been relying on a single marketing strategy to appeal to international students looking for abroad study, need to rethink your approach.

The ideas discussed in this blog is for the most part based on a survey conducted in 2015 by student fair organizers FPP EDU Media and digital marketing firm International Education Advantage (IntEAd).

Several factors shape a student’s preference for study abroad destinations. So it’s important for study abroad advisor to pin down causes that have a greater say in their study decisions.

 

Who Your Prospects Prefer As Study Abroad Advisor?

It is unwise to judge a book by its cover. But it turns out students do tend to evaluate advice based on who is giving it.

The study found that students from South American countries rely on Admissions Representatives from partner institutions.

Asian students, on the other hand, trust local study abroad advisor who are more connected to their community lingually, geographically and culturally, more than ‘foreign’ representatives.

Advice from Fellow Students enrolled in universities in the destination countries also heavily influence prospective Asian students.

Tips: In each of these countries, study abroad advisor must find ways to engage people who students trust more as much as possible. For example, in Asia, where prospects trust fellow students more, agents should make generous use of student testimonials for effective marketing.

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Have Your Prospects Traveled Abroad?

Of all your prospects, always make sure to give top priority to those who have traveled abroad. Abroad visit is one of those things that leaves people feeling ‘once is not enough’.

Since these students come with a very strong motivation to go abroad, they are your “most promising targets.” As per the report, 74% of students want to study abroad for travel experience and lifestyle. Just as store workers are taught to pay more attention to shoppers with shopping bags in hand, your study abroad advisor would do well to give more priority to students who have previously traveled abroad, the report’s authors note with the help of management system.

Tips: You can find whether a prospect has traveled abroad by putting a related question in the forms that you ask them to fill out. You can also get them to like your social media page and be friends with them. That will allow you to check their posts, where they are likely to share experiences and publicly share their travel.

What Are Your Prospect’s Personal Goals

Find out what motivates your prospects at a deeper level. Categorize them based on their personal goals and then tailor your marketing strategy accordingly. Broadly, students are likely to fall into three categories: Idealist, Realist, and Free Spirit.

Tips: Study abroad advisor can target Idealists with messages like: “Let your research save the environment”. To attract a Realist, your campaign should use lines like: “Get a degree that will lead to a well-paying career”. A Free Spirit, on the other hand, would be drawn to your call if it says something like. “A qualification that will open doors to a global career”.

Who Is The Decision-maker

All businesses know why it is important to treat decision-makers with a certain respect.

Tips: When planning your marketing, focus on crafting messages that directly addresses the prospects rather than their parents. For example, your advertisement shouldn’t say: “Want to help your children earn an International Degree?” Make sure that your ad speaks directly to the students: “Want to earn an International Degree?” It is important for agents to make students feel important and provide all the necessary information.
Such insights help you utilize your marketing budget more wisely and effectively.
These are the key factors affecting student decisions that agents should be aware of. Having a well-informed study abroad advisor is part of the best strategy.

 

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