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Check out Community Corner, a free blog from ISM.
We cover such topics as how to communicate with your constituencies, work with your fellow school leaders, leverage new technology trends, utilize recommended reading and resources, implement new strategies—all to better serve your school's mission.
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Social Media Marketing for Private Schools: Tips to Consider During the Holidays
Marketing Communications // November 30, 2023
In December, some private schools consider taking a break from their social media posting strategy. Even though your students aren't in session during the holidays, your school’s social media marketing for private schools should stay active. To find out more, we talked to two leaders in private school education who have thought much about this topic—Penny Abrahams, ISM Senior Consultant, and Clint Losch, Outsourced School Solutions Digital Head of Marketing, to find out what they recommend.
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What’s Behind the Scroll? Decoding the Psychology of Social Media
School Health and Wellness // October 26, 2023
Social media is an integral part of modern life, especially for adolescents who use technology for everything from education to socializing. It provides 24/7 connectivity; at its best, it promotes creativity and community, and makes it easier for people to communicate and share information.
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Four Ways to Build Relationships That Increase Long-Term Giving
Fundraising // October 26, 2023
It’s no secret that a successful Development program relies on relationships. Building those relationships has remained an essential—and delightful—component of the Development Officer's role for decades.
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Welcome to Our Newest Members
ISM Announcements // October 26, 2023
September was busy with lots of “first days” as schools started back for the year. Here at ISM we were busy introducing our newest members to all of the resources they’ll want to take advantage of in the coming year. Join us in welcoming our newest ISM members.
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Schools Create Videos for Fundraising and Engagement Campaigns
Fundraising // October 26, 2023
Creating content to inspire donations is a challenging feat for private school fundraisers. Donors want to know their contributions make a difference—they need to see a tangible impact on the school where their children invest their time. Conveying inspirational content with written messaging isn’t ...
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Key Elements of a Successful Campaign Plan
Advancement // October 26, 2023
For every school, the right preparation ensures a campaign's success. A campaign plan lays out the design and proposed steps for implementation: identify your prospects; engage your constituents; and solicit, recognize, and steward your donors. Your plan illustrates what the campaign will look like from establishing goals to achieving results.
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ChatGPT: Friend or Foe?
School Leadership // September 14, 2023
On December 5, 2000, the Daily Mail newspaper ran a headline that seems humorous today: “Internet ‘may be just a passing fad as millions give up on it’.” This headline is humorous because it was so wrong even at the time it was published—the internet had between approximately 400 million users by 20...
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Data Informed Decision Making with ISM’s Newest Offering: Unbound360
School Leadership // September 14, 2023
When used effectively, publicly available data can give your school valuable insight to help develop private school marketing and enrollment strategies and optimize fundraising efforts. Government sources, census reports, and other community data can include beneficial demographic information, in...
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Here’s Why Your School Needs a SWOT Analysis and How to Conduct One
School Leadership // September 14, 2023
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) is a tool to evaluate your school, assess your current situation, and develop strategies for improvement. SWOT analyses are popular in the business world and are common in private school marketing. Why might your school want to conduct a SW...
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Developing Policies to Balance Discipline and Support for Student Substance Use
School Health and Wellness // September 12, 2023
Substance use—now the appropriate term for what was once called substance abuse—often stems from underlying issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, or social isolation. Early intervention at home and at school can circumvent potential problems before they escalate. But addressing underlying issu...
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