How to sell your school... Effectively.

Internationally acclaimed branding expert, Marty Neumeier, states ‘Branding is the process of connecting good strategy with good design’.
This month we will be exploring the importance of branding and focusing on what that means for your school and how we, The Media Collective, can help you shine.

Many people may assume that ‘branding’ is simply your logo.
Whilst having a strong logo is of great importance, branding - and more importantly, strong branding - runs much deeper.

Whether people opt for your services over those offered elsewhere will largely come down to how they feel about your brand.

We have previously spoken about the psychological impact that well thought out surroundings can have on students, but in reality, these psychological effects begin long before a student has even entered the classroom.
In having a solid brand identity, the education sector is like any other. Recognisability is not the only important factor; reputation and positive emotional response matter too.

A strong brand will bring value to your establishment.
For all intents and purposes, schools, colleges and universities work to the same curriculum and are bound by the same structure as set out by the Department of Education.
So what is it about your school that encourages people to engage with you? What sets you apart from the rest?

By developing a strong visual identity, you afford yourself greater visibility.
In turn, this can lead to attracting the right students; the ones whose values align with your own, who appreciate the culture your brand provides and who want to align themselves with your brand because of the positive reputational effects.

So, how can you attract potential families and students and convert them into those who contribute to the ongoing success of your school’s brand?

Develop a Positive ID.

There is no denying that having a strong visual identity is hugely important in establishing your position in the market.

When creating an identity that will stand out, a school or trust's brand logo and visual identity should embody all its attributes.

Ultimately, this identity should align with the school’s teaching, surroundings, values and culture.

Creating consistency across your branding helps build trust, recognition and association (or memory recall).
This consistency can be found in such things as your colour palette and font choice, and will be anchored by your brand guidelines.

Leave your mark on the world.

A sample of the Brand Guidelines developed for St. Modwen’s - a breakdown of all the elements within their logo.

A striking logo is a great place to start when developing your brand image.
Your logo is what will grab peoples attention. It’s what will make the first impression and ultimately, is the foundation of your brands recognisability and identity.

It is what separates you from your competition, and will be an integral part of establishing brand loyalty - the more it is out there, the more people will see it and therefore trust it.

From simple logos, signage or prospectus design right through to total rebrand and the establishment of brand guidelines, we are skilled and passionate about helping you create the best possible image for your school or trust.

Throughout the consultation and design process, we will help you uncover the true essence of your brand in order to capture and project it concisely and consistently.

We would love to help you discover (or rediscover) your school’s identity, and welcome you to book a complimentary consultation where we will look over your existing branding and discuss where we could make improvements to ensure that your brand is living up to its full potential.