Exposed: How Universities Leverage TikTok Trends for Student Recruitment

The Rise of TikTok in Student Recruitment

Social media has changed how schools attract students, and TikTok is leading the charge. This app’s fun vibe has struck a chord with young people, making it a top pick for universities hoping to connect with potential students. Here’s the scoop:

• Embracing User-Generated Content: With TikTok, students are the stars. Schools encourage them to create their own videos about their experiences. It’s a fresh, real look at life on campus.
• Influencer Marketing: Some TikTokers have huge followings. Schools are teaming up with these influencers to reach more potential students and spread their message.
• Authentic & Relatable Connection: The great thing about TikTok is its active user base. It allows universities to connect with prospective students in a genuine, relatable way.

In this post, we’re diving into how universities use TikTok to boost their student recruitment efforts. We’ll also look at how TikTok is shaping the future of student engagement. Buckle up and get ready to explore the world of TikTok in education!

Understanding the Impact of TikTok Trends on Gen Z

TikTok is more than just a viral video app. It’s now a pretty big deal for universities trying to catch the eye of Gen Z students. It works because its quick, attention-grabbing videos fit perfectly with the 8-second attention span of Gen Z.

Why is TikTok super popular with Gen Z:

• It’s always fresh! TikTok is always showing new stuff, making it a fun place for Gen Z to learn about the world and their interests.
• It’s got a lot of variety. There are loads of content creators on TikTok covering all sorts of educational topics.

Another big win for universities on TikTok is the use of influencers. Why?

• They’ve got a massive following and can make content that Gen Z really digs.
• Universities can get them to showcase what campus life is like and get instant recognition from potential students.

Lastly, one of the best parts about TikTok is the trends! Universities can:

• Stand out from the competition by jumping on popular trends like lip-syncing, dancing, or comedy skits.
• Show off their school spirit and give potential students an entertaining look at what life on campus is like.

Remember, the key is to stay fresh, use influencers, and join in on the trends!

Leveraging TikTok’s Virality for University Marketing

TikTok is a goldmine for universities wanting to market themselves to Gen Z. The app’s virality and focus on authenticity can help universities create engaging content and showcase campus life.

Here’s how to do it:

• Get student ambassadors to create content. They can give an authentic, behind-the-scenes view of university life and connect with potential students.
• Make content that feels real and unique. This could be anything from dorm room tours to student-led initiatives.

TikTok’s built for user-generated content, so the more authentic and informal, the better it’ll connect with the audience.

But what about ads? TikTok for Business offers several formats:

• TopView Ads: These full-screen videos pop up when users first open the app. A great way to make a first impression!
• In-Feed Ads: These ads blend in with the rest of the content feed and can be customized to fit a university’s branding.
• Branded Hashtags and Branded Effects: These tools help create interactive experiences. They encourage users to make content around a specific theme or campaign and allow universities to make custom effects and filters.
  • If you’ve got a big budget, you can even take over the app for a day with a brand takeover for maximum visibility.

To sum it up, TikTok’s authenticity and virality offer a unique chance for universities to market to Gen Z. By showing real-life experiences and using student ambassadors, universities can create engaging content. Plus, with TikTok for Business, universities can reach more people and make a big impression.

Creative Approaches to Incorporating TikTok Trends

Looking for creative ways to use TikTok trends in university marketing? Here are some killer ideas:

• Jump on TikTok Challenges: Find a challenge that fits with what your university is about and join in. You could do something like the #StudyHacksChallenge to share helpful study tips, or the #DormRoomTourChallenge to show off your cool campus living spaces.
• Team up with TikTok Influencers: Got a favorite TikTok influencer? Get them to partner up with your university. They’ve got a big following and can help spread your university’s message while giving a glimpse of campus life.
• Share Student Success Stories: TikTok is the perfect place to highlight your student’s achievements. Share their success stories in creative videos to show the awesome impact of education and attract students who connect with those stories.
• Join in on Trending Conversations: Keep an eye on what’s trending on TikTok and make content around those topics. This keeps you in the loop and lets you connect with potential students by showing you’re up-to-date with the trends they care about.

Remember, TikTok is all about being creative and dynamic, so don’t be afraid to try new things and join in on the trends!

Successful TikTok Campaigns by Universities

Want to see some universities that nailed it with their TikTok marketing? Check this out:

• The University of Southern California (USC) made the #DreamSchoolLike challenge. Potential students shared their dream schools, and USC responded with personalized videos for each student. This showed off USC’s focus on tailored education.
• Ohio State University came up with #TraditionTuesday. They showed off their own traditions and got their community to share their favorites. This not only showed a strong sense of community but also connected with potential students.
• The University of Florida jumped on the #SavageChallenge dance trend. They made a recruitment video with their mascot, the Gator, joining in on the dance. This was a fun way to show their school spirit and invite potential students to be part of their community.
• Pepperdine University’s first TikTok to go viral was their alumni rehearsing for an annual musical variety show in which they did the roll call section of the musical Hairspray.

So what’s the takeaway here? Using TikTok trends in your university marketing can really help you connect with potential students and show what life on your campus is like.

Whether you’re taking part in challenges, teaming up with influencers, sharing student success stories, or joining trending conversations, you can make your brand more relatable and appealing to the TikTok crowd. And as you can see, some universities are already killing it with this strategy!

Engaging Prospective Students through Trending Challenges

TikTok challenges are a fantastic way for universities to connect with potential students and show off-campus life. Here’s why:

• They’re trending! By joining in on these challenges, universities can grab the attention of Gen Z who are already engaged in these trends.
• They’re creative and fun. Whether it’s sharing study tips, giving a dorm room tour, or celebrating student achievements, challenges are a fresh way to show what makes your university special.

So how can universities make the most of these challenges?

• Match the challenges to what the university stands for. This helps create a marketing campaign that potential students can connect with.
• Make the most of TikTok’s dynamic nature. The app is always changing, so keep up with new trends to stay relevant.

The proof is in the pudding. Universities have seen big wins from these challenges:

• Personalized responses make potential students feel seen and understood.
• Showcasing traditions can create a sense of community and belonging.
• Sharing school spirit can get potential students excited about joining the university.

So jump in, get creative, and join in on the TikTok challenges to connect with your future students!

Showcasing Campus Life with TikTok Influencers

Social media, especially TikTok, is a game-changer for universities looking to connect with potential students. Here’s why TikTok influencers are a big deal for student recruitment:

• They bring authenticity: Gen Z digs content that’s real and relatable. When influencers share their experiences, it strikes a chord with this audience.
• They’re a megaphone for your campus: Influencers can showcase the cool aspects of your campus life to a wider audience, thanks to TikTok’s viral nature.

Need an example of this strategy winning? Check out Newcastle University’s “Campus Cribs” campaign:

• They partnered up with popular TikTok creators to give a real glimpse into life on campus.
• The campaign was a hit, scoring millions of views and boosting student applications and inquiries.

So what’s the takeaway? Using TikTok influencers can really amp up student recruitment:

• You get to show off the vibrant campus life and what the student experience is like.
• You create content that potential students can see themselves in, making them want to be part of the community.

So dive in, get creative, and partner up with TikTok influencers to get your university on the map for Gen Z!

Building Authentic Connections with Gen Z through TikTok

Gen Z is all about TikTok. If universities want to reach this tech-savvy bunch, they’ve got to get in on the TikTok action. Here’s why:

• It’s all about short, sweet, and interactive content. Gen Z doesn’t have time for long-winded stuff. Quick and engaging is the way to go.
• They love to learn, but it’s gotta be fun. Universities can win them over with content that’s both educational and entertaining.

How to really hit the mark with Gen Z on TikTok?

• Keep it real. Gen Z loves authenticity. They want to see stuff that mirrors their own experiences.
• Make them part of the story. Encourage user-generated content that showcases what it’s like to be a student at your university. It builds trust and gives them a real taste of campus life.
• Go viral or go home. TikTok’s algorithm makes it easy for content to spread like wildfire. Universities can use this to their advantage by making content that’s too good not to share.

In a nutshell? To really connect with Gen Z, universities need to make TikTok content that’s engaging, fun, educational, and authentic. Give them a peek into real student life, make them part of the conversation, and who knows, you might just go viral. The sky’s the limit!

Measuring the Effectiveness of TikTok Campaigns

Okay, let’s talk about how universities can check if their TikTok game is working. It’s all about measuring their campaigns’ success to see if they’re getting bang for their buck and what they can do better next time.

• Start with the engagement metrics. This means checking out the likes, comments and shares their content is getting. The more interaction, the better.
• Don’t forget to keep an eye on the follower and view count. More followers and views = more people getting to see what the university has to offer.
• It’s also super important to see what people are saying about their content. This can be done by looking at user-generated content and sentiments. If people are talking positively, they’re on the right track.
• Of course, they also want to see if their TikTok fame is translating into actual website visits, leads, and enrollments. This shows if the TikTok efforts are really paying off.

In short, if universities want to make the most of TikTok, they need to measure their success in multiple ways. It’s all about understanding what’s working, what’s not, and how to keep improving. Only then can they truly win over the Gen Z crowd.

Tips for Implementing TikTok Strategies in Student Recruitment

Universities can get a lot out of TikTok when it comes to recruiting students. Here are a few tips on how to make the most of it:

• First things first, make sure you’re getting your ads in front of the right people. With TikTok for Business, you can create custom audiences and set up targeted ads. That way, you’ll know your ads are reaching prospective students who are really interested in what you have to offer.
• Then, take advantage of the different types of ads on TikTok. TopView ads are full-screen and pop up as soon as someone opens the app, giving you maximum visibility. In-Feed ads blend in with users’ regular content, making it more likely that they’ll engage with your ad as they scroll through their feed. Branded hashtags and effects are another cool way to get noticed. They encourage users to get creative and incorporate your campaign or branded elements into their own videos.
• Lastly, don’t forget about educational content. Sharing info about your academic programs, what campus life is like, and stories from current students can help build trust with potential students. This could be in the form of tips, advice, tutorials, or even virtual tours of the campus. The key here is making sure the content is interesting and relevant to Gen Z, who are your main audience on TikTok.

Remember, TikTok isn’t just about fun and games. It can be a powerful tool for universities looking to connect with prospective students in a meaningful way.

Don’t want to navigate the world of TikTok on your own? No problem! Our digital marketing agency is ready to partner with you. We specialize in higher education marketing and know just how to make TikTok work for universities. We’ll help you create engaging ads, target the right audience, and share valuable content that resonates with Gen Z. Let’s put your university on the TikTok map together!

Contact us today and see just how many potential students you can inspire.

#UniversityOnTikTok                      Let’s go Viral!