The ISM Members-Only Podcast

The ’Evergreen’ Social Media Framework

Are you struggling to keep up with the daily demands of social media content? Do you scramble to post new content? Do your communications end up lost among other, more compelling messages? Do you post often enough each week?
On your lengthy list of marketing and communication job responsibilities, social media management often feels like “just another thing to do.” Many school marketers face the challenge of regularly delivering fresh content. Relying only on current events to keep things fresh not only limits your content, but it also fails to showcase the true essence and enduring mission of your school.
Introducing "The Evergreen Social Media Framework!" This three-part storytelling framework is a game changer for private school marketers, empowering you to create unlimited social content. No more last-minute scramble—instead, craft daily content that's rooted in your school's mission and unique value proposition.

Surviving Scheduling: What We’ve Seen and How to Improve

Nothing affects your students, teachers, programs, facilities, and time as much as your schedule. When you get it right, your schedule can boost student performance, family satisfaction, and faculty culture—leading to better recruitment, stronger retention, and more robust fundraising.
In this episode, Carrie Nelson (ISM ScheduLogic Assistant) and James Collins (ISM Director of Sales) will discuss some of the challenges schools face when working on their schedules and the solutions to address these challenges. Explore approaches can that ensure your schedule suits your mission and students.

What Does—or Should—Contemporary Independent School Leadership Look Like?

School leadership has never been more daunting than it is today. From political divisions to teacher shortages to concerns about student well-being, School Heads face difficulties that were unimaginable just a decade ago.
Scott Wilson was a successful School Head at three schools over the course of 24 years and is now ISM Executive Leadership Department Head. Join Scott as he offers a fresh perspective, backed by ISM research, to approach these challenges proactively and positively.

Independent Schools and Faculty Compensation: ISM’s Insights on Coming Changes

As we recover from the pandemic and as the teacher crisis develops, schools must thoroughly understand the upcoming changes and plan operational adjustments now.
In this episode, Terry Moore (ISM Executive Consultant and Governance and Finance Department Head) will explore how changing human resources laws in many states may affect faculty compensation. Learn why merit pay has not been effective in many independent schools, learn about ISM’s latest compensation system recommendations to support a faculty growth mindset, and discover a non-negotiable element for every school’s strategic plan.

Making Your Meetings Matter—How to Take Your Team to the Next Level

As an independent school leader, you facilitate and direct multiple meetings per week. Without intentional planning, however, those gathering times can easily become mundane, failing to reach their full potential.
Discover strategies for cultivating purposeful, productive meetings with achievable objectives. Explore how intentional meetings will enhance your team’s effectiveness and productivity.

Six Questions to Cultivate Strategic Thinking Within Independent School Boards

In the complex landscape of independent schools, strategic thinking often stands as a beacon of success and an indicator of sustainability. The journey toward effective strategic governance, however, is riddled with challenges unique to each school Board.
In this episode Dr. Andrew Taylor will discuss six questions to ask that will help you overcome obstacles that inhibit strategic thinking within independent school Boards.

The Proven Four-Step System to Maximize Your Event Registrations

As you gear up for your fall and winter prospective family events, you may be asking . . .
Why aren't we seeing the registration numbers we hoped for?
Could our approach to event promotion be too generic or uninspiring?
Is there a more effective way to ensure families commit to attending?
What advertising channels are best for promoting our events?
In this episode, Clint Losch, Head of Marketing for Outsourced School Solutions (a leading digital marketing agency serving private-independent schools), will unveil tried-and-true strategies to help you fill your open house events with mission-appropriate families.

Mission-Centered Family Onboarding as a Retention Strategy

While you may have just finished recruiting and enrolling most of your new families for this school year, now is the time to start re-recruiting them (yes, really!). From the moment they enroll in your school, the experiences your new parents and students share will have an enormous impact on their re-enrollment.In this episode discover enrollment management strategies you can implement immediately to ensure a seamless and supportive transition for your new families.

Seven Marketing Communications Mistakes to Avoid as You Plan for 2023–24

As you develop an effective and strategic marketing communications plan for the next school year, sometimes your “to-do” list starts by first considering the “don’ts.”
In this episode, Penny Abrahams (ISM Senior Consultant, Advancement Department Head, and Advancement Academy Covener) will present seven mistakes to avoid as you prepare your marketing communications plan. She’ll discuss considerations for budgeting, digital outreach, and targeted messaging, as well as current trends in the private school marketing landscape and how they can (or should) inform your strategies.

Preparing for the First 100 Days as Upper School Head

Taking over an upper school division this summer? Whether you were promoted from within or new to the school community, the first 100 days are a critical time to set the tone of your leadership and establish a culture of trust, open communication, and student-centeredness.In this episode, Rebecca Zug (Head of Upper School at Wilmington Friends School, DE; a member of ISM’s Summer Institute faculty) will discuss strategies for planning your initial months and building strong relationships.