Creating a Well-Rounded Higher-Ed Web Strategy - An Interview with Joshua Charles

In the latest episode of the Education Marketing Leader, I had the pleasure of hosting Joshua Charles, the Director of Web Strategies at Rutgers University Business School. Josh's journey from web programming to marketing, driven by his passion for education, is inspiring.During the episode, Josh explains how web strategy acts as the digital front door for institutions, vital for attracting and retaining students, especially with the upcoming demographic enrollment cliff. He emphasizes that a university's website is a pivotal part of a broader marketing and communications strategy. Understanding the audience's journey is key to ensuring the website and customer journey are inextricably linked.Our conversation took a deep dive into the art of connecting business objectives with prospective students. Josh underlines the importance of aligning the institution's brand, values, and unique selling points with the audience's needs. He stresses the necessity of emotional and transactional content that resonates with diverse student backgrounds, like international students adapting to new environments.Personalization is king! Josh discusses strategies to foster a sense of belonging and diversity despite resource limitations. For instance, crafting content that emotionally connects with various student demographics is crucial.Looking towards the future, Josh and I explore the evolving landscape of higher education marketing, particularly the role of AI. He advises educators and marketers to step out of their comfort zones and embrace continuous learning.He encourages curiosity and open-mindedness to budding higher-ed web and marketing professionals, focusing on foundational growth rather than getting bogged down in tactical details.Don't miss this insightful episode!Listen now to elevate your education marketing game!For more insights from Josh and to dive deeper into the world of web strategy in higher education, connect with him on LinkedIn or the HighEdWeb Slack Channel. 🌟 If you enjoyed the episode, please hit like, subscribe, and leave a review of the Education Marketing Leader. 🙏Until next time. ✌hashtag#marketing hashtag#highereducation hashtag#web