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October is arguably the busiest month for us in terms of the testing calendar. For that reason, fighting an aggressive battle for Spring (Winter) test-takers begins here. Looking beyond this quarter involves lead/inquiry collection for Q1 2017.
In terms of the more immediate: now that Kaplan is offering free PSAT Prep and discounted ACT Live Tutoring, it will be important to review your firm’s value proposition. For example, if one is an elite tutoring or admissions provider (i.e.–you charge upwards of $75/hr for services), it will be time to familiarize yourself not only with the Khan /College Board assets, but the Kaplan /ACTprogram, and the Kaplan Free PSAT program. The point is, even if your client base is unlikely to benefit from the free or near free programs above, they won’t know it until after the fact–unless you explain things before that.
In any event, and depending upon your client demographics, prepare a short sheet to counter-message one’s services vs. those free or near free services. We find value in many of these services and prefer a message of inclusion: “we use [ service] as part of our program.”
- Events: Consider Fall Practice Test Messaging or Early Application Deadline Workshops.
- Offers: Consider using your largest incentive for the Core Product in October. Switch to a corollary product or an early bird message in November.
- Planning: Triage past inquiries (leads) into 30, 60, 90 and 180 cohorts. Sequence your messages for each lead group and drip email.
- Sales: Create a short sheet with incentive & counter-messaging (do this monthly as a habit).
- Networking: in general terms, the main message to groups and schools will be: Free Practice Tests + Incentive, or College Essay Workshop, or Early Application Workshop. . Schedule a 15 min. call to discuss (choose free business consultation).
- More broadly Be sure to align blog, email, social outlets to include the primary Offer & Event.
- Crystal ball: More students than in the past will submit both ACT, SAT scores. Number of SAT Test Takers is up due to state contracts; number of students submitting ACT scores also up.
- Included below is an October Digest from testprepprofessioanls.com. This should lend context to the planning function.
Test Prep Professionals || Tutoring & Admissions Digest #10