One of the most rewarding parts of working in the education industry is that companies are mission-driven. This also means that it can be challenging to identify a unique value proposition (UVP).  When all education companies are “in it for the students,” what makes you unique? How can you stand out against your competitors? Educators and administrators need to know why you’re a better fit than your competitors when they’re seeking solutions, so a clearly defined UVP is vital. Here are four tips for positioning your education company to stand out in a marketplace full of good companies tr ..read more

It often feels like almost every education company uses some version of “improve outcomes for educators and students,” as their mission. Within that mass of monotony, you have an opportunity to craft mission-driven brand messaging that distinguishes your business, resonates with your target audience, and drives your bottom line. To do that, make your unique mission an essential part of your marketing plan. It’s a powerful, underestimated strategy that differentiates your education company or edtech firm  and allows you to continue making a positive impact on educational outcomes. In this ..read more

As schools and district leaders spend down their ESSER funds, they’re forced to make difficult choices about the solutions, programs and positions they’ll continue to fund over the next 2 to 5 years. Facing the prospect of tighter operating budgets, school leaders want to know: how can we they sustainably support impactful programs once ESSER sunsets? CB&A received nearly 150 questions related to this topic, and asked four administrators to share their insights on budgeting, strategic planning, making purchasing decisions, and school climate in the wake of the ESSER downslope during our Ja ..read more

Pressing questions for 2024 answered by a panel of district and school administrators. Saul Hafenbredl, partner at CB&A, A FINN Partners Company, hosted a panel of administrators from across the U.S. to answer pre-submitted questions from the business-to-education (B2E) community. Topics covered include: Post-ESSER budgeting plans Strategic priorities Purchasing decisions + vendor relationships School climate View the 45-minute webinar to get up-to-speed on what administrators are focused on right now. The post Video: Ask an Administrator Anything appeared first on C. Blohm & Associ ..read more

A strong education marketing-to-sales pipeline is paved with earned media. In order to establish brand authenticity among your buyers, you need credibility with education reporters and influencers. But how do you attract the “right” attention to your brand? Successful media placements begin with understanding and operationalizing what differentiates your education brand from competitors. Once you understand your unique value proposition (UVP), you can make better strategic decisions about how to pitch newsworthy stories to media connections. Here are a few tips to consider when you’re designin ..read more

District and building-level leaders will tell you that proof of efficacy heavily influences their purchasing decisions. In some cases, this evidence is a prerequisite for them to even consider your product or service. For example, K-12 school districts using funding under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) are obligated to provide evidence of effectiveness for any purchase they make with those federal funds.  And the demand to “show your math” has only increased as the end of ESSER funding looms. Education leaders are feeling increased pressure to prove that their spending is having a ..read more

A critical aspect of every successful business-to-education marketing plan is a keen understanding of the K12 education buying cycle. In this exclusive white paper, you’ll learn everything you need to know about optimizing your efforts at each stage. The post Marketers Guide to the K12 Education Buying Cycle appeared first on C. Blohm & Associates, Inc ..read more

District and building-level leaders will tell you that proof of efficacy heavily influences their purchasing decisions. In some cases, this evidence is a prerequisite for them to even consider your product or service. For example, K-12 school districts using funding under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) are obligated to provide evidence of effectiveness for any purchase they make with those federal funds.  And the demand to “show your math” has only increased as the end of ESSER funding looms. Education leaders are feeling increased pressure to prove that their spending is having a ..read more

Find out what your peers are planning in 2024. The results from CB&A’s 5th annual business-to-education (B2E) survey are in. In November, Charlene Blohm, Senior Partner, CB&A, A FINN Partners Company, and her team shared findings and insights gleaned from over 120 B2E professionals. Learn how your peers feel about 2024: Budgeting Key marketing goals and tactics Education funding & the “Fiscal Cliff” And new this year: hear what CEOs said they want their marketing teams to deliver in 2024. View the 30 minute webinar to stay ahead of the competition. The post Video: CB&A Educa ..read more

 How solid is your marketing plan as ESSER sunsets in 2024? Our exclusive new research reveals there’s work to be done. Through comprehensive surveys and interviews with education company leaders, we uncovered crucial trends, concerns, and strategies for marketing success in the coming year. Although optimism generally prevails regarding budgets and growth, anxiety is also percolating among marketing and sales teams — as well as executives. Tactics that worked yesterday may flop tomorrow. Misalignment between marketers and leadership threatens progress. In this report, we synthesize our ..read more