Customer relationship management is vital to recruiting and retaining your students, but with a high volume of students to manage, it can be hard to create meaningful and personal relationships with each and every student.

If you’re not yet using a CRM to send emails to your students, it’s worthwhile looking to it as a beneficial tool that allows you to tailor communication, create engaging content and add value across the student lifecycle.

Here are some of our top tips on how you can leverage the power of email templates.

Create templates that matter

Using email templates will not only save you time but also allows you to source the most relevant information from your student database to create tailored content.

By keeping an up to date record of where your students are at in their study journey, you unlock the ability to personalise emails and create meaningful engagement. You’ll be able to create templates based on this information; showing students that you have an interest in their individual needs and that you’re by their side throughout their student journey.

We’ve heard from enough students to know that agents are an important supporter and advocate for them while studying overseas, and through using templates, you’ll encourage these students to continually consider you as an advocate throughout their study journey.

Templates don’t have to be boring

While using email templates is important, what’s even more important is that the people who receive your communication aren’t made to feel like they are simply a number. When email personalisation doesn’t work, it’s a letdown for everyone.

Many CRMs allow you to customise multiple fields, including first names and past interactions. If you’re easily able to personalise these emails, it goes a long way to building rapport with the students you work with.

Create engaging subject lines

Writing a great subject line is so important to achieving a good email open rate - if people are excited to read what you’ve got to say based on your subject line, they’ll be more likely to open your email.

There are countless theories about what the best subject lines are, but the one rule to take to heart is - keep it simple. Asking questions of your students in the subject is another good way to increase engagement.

If you’re trying to get a student who’s just started studying overseas to read what you’ve written, a subject line such as “Hi [first name], how’s semester one been treating you?” would be a great way to do this.

Bonus tip: make sure you send test emails to yourself so you can see how the subject line looks to you - if it doesn’t grab you, you’ll probably want to change it!

Make what you’re saying enticing

If the open rates for your email campaigns aren’t doing too well, it’s important to review your content to be sure that students are interested in what you’re saying. Just as it’s important to keep subject lines short, it can be greatly beneficial to be direct in your emails, but engage with students on a personal level. It’s also important to ensure that you don’t spam your students by sending emails too frequently.

Cohort Go knows how to help you continue to better relationships with your students. It’s what we’re passionate about. To learn more about how we can get your relationships off to a flying start reach out to us today! It's easy to get started and it's free. Two things everyone loves.