Author picture

Share this Post

AI, Video, and Storytelling: What’s Shaping Higher Ed Marketing This Week

The higher education marketing landscape is shifting fast and this week’s insights show just how digital innovation is shaping the student journey. From AI-powered advertising to creative storytelling tools, universities are rethinking how they connect with future students online. Google’s Gemini AI promises smarter campaign targeting, while long-form academic pages and engaging video content are helping schools stand out in crowded digital spaces.

AI continues to be the big disruptor. Google’s Gemini AI blends machine learning and natural language processing to sharpen how colleges market themselves. Instead of broad campaigns, institutions can now target prospects with precision offering the right message at the right moment. At the same time, Carnegie Higher Ed’s research finds that longer, information-rich program pages perform better. Students want depth, not flash, when exploring their academic futures.

Digital marketing for graduate programs is evolving too. EAB’s report highlights four essential trends: personalization, SEO, social media, and virtual recruitment. Schools using these tools are seeing stronger engagement and conversions. And while AI drives efficiency, creativity still rules as shown by Hannon Hill’s “Snippets” feature, a fresh way for content creators to publish short, shareable pieces across platforms.

Video also remains a powerhouse. RGI Consulting emphasizes that storytelling through student testimonials and campus tours builds trust and emotional connection. Meanwhile, Snapchat marketing, explored by Carnegie’s Anna Gardner, is proving a hit for reaching Gen Z. The platform’s fast, authentic format brings a sense of community that static ads can’t replicate.

Together, these stories paint a clear picture: success in higher ed marketing means combining data, storytelling, and emerging tech to create human-centered experiences.


Common Takeaways

  • AI tools like Gemini are making ad targeting more precise and cost-effective.
  • Long, detailed program pages improve engagement and conversions.
  • Personalization and virtual events are must-haves for graduate recruitment.
  • Short-form content like Snippets increases engagement across platforms.
  • Video storytelling builds authenticity and trust with prospective students.

Controversial Ideas

  • Short-form content might hurt attention spans even as it boosts traffic.
  • AI-driven targeting could make marketing feel too automated or impersonal.
  • Longer web pages may clash with the growing preference for quick reads.
  • Relying on social media like Snapchat risks excluding older demographics.
  • Overuse of video marketing could blur the line between education and entertainment.

AI Browsing & Gemini’s Impact on Higher Ed Marketing | Higher Ed Marketing & Enrollment

Emily Denny

https://www.carnegiehighered.com/blog/google-gemini-ai-browsing-higher-ed-marketing

2025-10-01T19:47:00.000Z

Embracing Google’s Gemini AI for Higher Education Marketing

Synopsis:

  • The article discusses the potential of utilizing Google’s new AI tool, Gemini, for higher education marketing efforts.
  • Gemini combines machine learning and natural language processing to optimize ad campaigns and targeting.

Background Resources:

  • Google’s Gemini AI tool
  • Higher education marketing strategies

Unique/Noteworthy Positions:

  • The author suggests that embracing Gemini AI can enhance marketing strategies for universities by reaching a more targeted audience.

Summary/Takeaways:

  • Gemini AI can help higher education institutions improve their marketing efforts through advanced targeting and campaign optimization.
  • Utilizing machine learning can enhance overall marketing performance and ROI in the higher education sector.

Discover Google’s Gemini AI for smarter higher ed marketing 🎓🤖 #AI #HigherEdMarketing #GeminiAI


Why Long Program Pages Perform Better | Higher Ed Marketing & Enrollment

Carnegie Higher Ed

https://www.carnegiehighered.com/blog/why-long-academic-program-pages-perform-better

2025-10-01T12:03:08.000Z

Why Long Academic Program Pages Perform Better

  • Synopsis:
  • Longer academic program pages on university websites have been found to outperform shorter pages in terms of engagement and conversion rates. This is due to the increased amount of detailed information provided, which allows prospective students to make more informed decisions. The study cited in the article reveals that users prefer longer pages when researching programs, as they want a comprehensive understanding of the offerings before making a decision.
  • Background Resources:
  • Study conducted by Carnegie Higher Education
  • Research on user behavior on university websites
  • Noteworthy Positions:
  • Longer pages are more effective in providing comprehensive information to prospective students
  • Users prefer detailed program pages for research purposes
  • Summary/Takeaways:
  • Providing detailed information on academic program pages can lead to higher engagement and conversion rates on university websites. Prospective students value comprehensive content when researching programs, emphasizing the importance of creating longer, informative pages.

Detailed academic pages drive more engagement and conversions 🎓💻 #HigherEdMarketing #WebsiteOptimization


@EAB

https://eab.com/resources/blog/adult-education-blog/4-digital-marketing-trends-graduate-enrollment-teams-cant-ignore

2025-10-01T12:00:00.000Z

Synopsis:

  • Background: The article highlights four key digital marketing trends that graduate enrollment teams should pay attention to in order to attract and retain students.

Key Points:

  1. Personalized Communication: Utilizing data-driven insights to personalize communication with prospective students, catering to their specific interests and needs.
  2. Virtual Recruitment Events: Hosting virtual recruitment events to connect with potential students in a more convenient and accessible way.
  3. SEO & SEM Strategies: Implementing strong search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) strategies to increase online visibility and reach.
  4. Social Media Engagement: Engaging with prospective students on social media platforms to build relationships and showcase the school’s offerings.

Noteworthy Positions:

  • The author emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology and digital marketing tools to enhance the graduate enrollment process and improve outcomes for both students and institutions.

Takeaways:

  • By embracing these digital marketing trends, graduate enrollment teams can better connect with prospective students, increase their online presence, and ultimately drive enrollment numbers.

Grad enrollment teams need digital strategies—personalization, SEO, and virtual events drive results 🎓📱 #HigherEd #DigitalMarketing


Introducing Snippets: One of Cascade CMS’s Most Requested Features is Here

hannonhill.com

https://www.hannonhill.com/blog/2025/blogs-2025-introducing-snippets-feature.html

2025-10-01T10:00:00.000Z

Introducing Snippets: The Future of Blogging

Synopsis:

  • The article discusses the introduction of a new feature called Snippets in the blogging industry.
  • Snippets are short, concise pieces of content that can be easily shared across various platforms.
  • The author highlights how Snippets can enhance user engagement and increase blog traffic.
  • Background resources cited include research on the importance of visual content in online marketing.

Noteworthy Positions:

  • The author emphasizes the importance of adapting to new technologies and trends in the blogging world to stay relevant.
  • The article suggests that Snippets can revolutionize the way bloggers create and share content in the future.

Takeaways:

  • Snippets offer a new way for bloggers to create engaging content that can be easily shared across different platforms.
  • Embracing new features like Snippets can help bloggers stay ahead of the curve and attract more readers to their blogs.

🚀 Bloggers, meet Snippets — the future of blogging for more engagement and traffic! #Blogging #SnippetsFTW


Boost Engagement with Video Marketing in Education

RGI Team

https://www.rgiconsulting.net/video-marketing-in-higher-education-tips

2025-09-28T09:00:27.000Z

Video Marketing in Higher Education: Tips

Synopsis:

  • The article discusses the importance of video marketing in higher education institutions.
  • It provides tips on creating engaging and informative videos for prospective students.
  • Background resources cited include statistics on the effectiveness of video marketing in education.

Unique/Noteworthy Positions:

  • The author emphasizes the need for storytelling and showcasing campus life in videos.
  • They also suggest leveraging student testimonials and virtual campus tours.

Takeaways:

  • Video marketing is a powerful tool for higher education institutions to attract and engage prospective students.
  • Incorporating storytelling and showcasing campus life can make videos more engaging.
  • Utilizing student testimonials and virtual tours can provide an authentic view of the university experience.

Boost your higher ed marketing with engaging video content 🎥📚 #HigherEd #VideoMarketing


Why Snapchat Matters for Higher Ed Marketing | Higher Ed Marketing & Enrollment

Anna Gardner

https://www.carnegiehighered.com/blog/snapchat-higher-ed-marketing-strategy

2025-09-26T14:51:22.000Z

The Power of Snapchat in Higher Education Marketing

Overview

  • Snapchat is a powerful tool for higher education marketing due to its popularity among young audiences.
  • The platform allows for unique and engaging content to be shared with prospective students.

Importance of Snapchat in Higher Ed Marketing

  • Research shows that students are more likely to engage with universities that actively use Snapchat.
  • Snapchat can provide a more authentic view of campus life compared to traditional marketing methods.
  • The platform allows for personalized communication and direct interactions with students.

Strategies for Using Snapchat in Higher Ed Marketing

  • Showcase campus events, student life, and academic achievements through Snapchat Stories.
  • Create interactive campaigns such as campus tours or Q&A sessions with faculty members.
  • Utilize Snapchat’s geofilters and lenses to promote campus events and engage with prospective students.

Noteworthy Insights

  • Snapchat can help universities increase brand awareness and student engagement.
  • The platform’s ephemeral nature can create a sense of urgency and exclusivity among followers.

Key Takeaways

  • Snapchat offers a unique opportunity for higher education institutions to connect with prospective students in a more personal and engaging way.
  • By leveraging Snapchat’s features and creating compelling content, universities can increase their visibility and appeal to younger audiences.

🎓 Boost student engagement and brand awareness with Snapchat marketing! #HigherEdMarketing #SnapchatStrategy


Conclusion

In the end, higher ed marketers are learning that balance matters most between tech and storytelling, automation and authenticity. The winners will be those who use digital tools to tell genuine, student-centered stories.

Related Posts

Photo of a male hand holding a clear lightbulb in the foreground. The filament of the lightbulb is intricately shaped like a graduation mortarboard.

Latest Higher Education Marketing Blogs

This page gathers the most recent posts from the top Higher Education Marketing Blogs. As the higher education landscape evolves, the need for effective marketing strategies specific to this sector also changes. By curating insights from industry-leading bloggers and thought leaders, we aim to give readers a comprehensive overview of

Read More »
Image of a banner with centered headline 'Data-Driven Higher Ed Growth' over a blurred university library with students.

Revamp, Rank, and Personalize: This Week in Higher Ed Growth

If your brochure can’t talk to a robot, it won’t make the shortlist. AI-powered search is rewriting the rules of visibility, forcing institutions to rethink how content is structured, surfaced, and trusted. At the same time, the smartest growth stories this week are not about shiny new launches. They are

Read More »
Image of students and faculty in a campus commons, chatting and studying on laptops; text reads 'AI Meets Belonging'.

AI Meets Belonging: The New Enrollment Playbook

This week made one thing clear. AI is moving from novelty to necessity in higher education. But human connection still wins decisions. Microsoft’s new education wide AI features and the rise of agentic AI signal a faster, more integrated future across classrooms and operations. At the same time, AI answer

Read More »
Photo of a male hand holding a clear lightbulb in the foreground. The filament of the lightbulb is intricately shaped like a graduation mortarboard.

Latest Higher Education Marketing Blogs

This page gathers the most recent posts from the top Higher Education Marketing Blogs. As the higher education landscape evolves, the need for effective marketing strategies specific to this sector also changes. By curating insights from industry-leading bloggers and thought leaders, we aim to give readers a comprehensive overview of

Read More »
Image of a banner with centered headline 'Data-Driven Higher Ed Growth' over a blurred university library with students.

Revamp, Rank, and Personalize: This Week in Higher Ed Growth

If your brochure can’t talk to a robot, it won’t make the shortlist. AI-powered search is rewriting the rules of visibility, forcing institutions to rethink how content is structured, surfaced, and trusted. At the same time, the smartest growth stories this week are not about shiny new launches. They are

Read More »
Image of students and faculty in a campus commons, chatting and studying on laptops; text reads 'AI Meets Belonging'.

AI Meets Belonging: The New Enrollment Playbook

This week made one thing clear. AI is moving from novelty to necessity in higher education. But human connection still wins decisions. Microsoft’s new education wide AI features and the rise of agentic AI signal a faster, more integrated future across classrooms and operations. At the same time, AI answer

Read More »

Sign Up for Updates

Sign up to stay up-to-date on Higher Education Marketing, news and events.

Scroll to Top