Scaling student engagement through dynamic webinars

To showcase the value of our educational programs and engage with potential students, I led the development and execution of monthly Virtual Info Sessions. This initiative was designed to provide a platform for interaction and information sharing and to drive enrollment through strategic content delivery and event marketing.

      Project overview
Client:
LEARN academy
Focus:
Event Marketing
,
Lead Generation
Objective:
To create and manage virtual events that highlight program benefits, facilitate knowledge sharing, and generate leads for potential enrollments.
      Setting the stage

In early 2022, LEARN academy faced a significant challenge: traditional marketing methods like individual admissions calls and static web content were no longer effective in attracting and nurturing prospective students toward enrollment. To address this, I spearheaded the creation and launch of a monthly Virtual Info Sessions series, designed to deliver engaging, interactive, and strategically positioned content to potential students.

As Director of Marketing, I led every aspect of this initiative—from concept development and content creation to promotional strategy and technology integration—continually refining the approach through analytics-driven optimizations. Ultimately, the sessions became a pivotal tool in clearly demonstrating our program's value, driving qualified leads, and effectively converting prospects into enrolled students, thus directly contributing to LEARN academy’s enrollment growth.

      Pain points

In 2021, LEARN academy’s traditional lead generation methods—primarily relying on individual admissions calls and static website content—became insufficient, failing to deliver the necessary volume and quality of qualified leads consistently. Recognizing this challenge, we shifted strategically away from sporadic, ad-hoc webinars toward a structured, branded "Info Session Series," designed as compelling, regularly scheduled events deeply integrated into the prospect’s journey. Implementing this pivot introduced significant hurdles, including fragmented data sources that complicated attendee management, intense pressure to rapidly demonstrate ROI for executive buy-in, and operational constraints related to coordinating speakers, managing technology, and producing consistent marketing assets with limited team bandwidth. Addressing these challenges was essential to establishing the Virtual Info Sessions as a sustainable and impactful component of our overall marketing and enrollment strategy.

      Tactical playbook

To effectively implement the Virtual Info Sessions Initiative, I structured the project into four clearly defined phases to ensure thoughtful planning, strategic alignment, and efficient execution.

Phase 1 – Research & discovery

In January 2022, I initiated the project by thoroughly investigating the needs and motivations of our prospective student audience through targeted interviews and detailed analysis of our existing lead-generation funnel. Additionally, I conducted a comprehensive competitive analysis, examining best practices among leading ed-tech webinar models to identify opportunities for differentiation. To foster internal alignment and collaborative goal-setting, I facilitated stakeholder workshops that integrated diverse perspectives, ensuring unified strategic objectives. Key tools utilized included HubSpot, Zoom surveys, and Google Analytics.

Phase 2 – Planning & strategy development

In subsequent months, I focused on establishing the framework necessary for a structured, repeatable virtual event series. This involved setting a consistent monthly schedule, assembling a roster of reputable speakers, and crafting engaging content themes to resonate with our target audience. To enhance our operational efficiency and lead-nurturing capabilities, I mapped comprehensive workflows within HubSpot and established seamless integration between Eventbrite and our CRM system. Key tools leveraged in this phase included Eventbrite, HubSpot workflows, and Miro for visual collaboration and strategic planning.

Phase 3 – Execution & implementation

Starting in April 2022 and continuing monthly thereafter, I consistently delivered high-quality virtual sessions. My responsibilities encompassed content creation, including designing visually appealing slide decks and compelling promotional assets using Adobe Creative Suite. I personally managed live sessions, facilitating interactive components such as Q&A, polls, and real-time audience engagement. Post-event activities included meticulously editing recordings, uploading them to YouTube, and strategically distributing content across social platforms utilizing Agora Pulse. This comprehensive execution strategy maximized content reach, impact, and longevity.

Phase 4 – Monitoring, adjustment & optimization

Continuous improvement and optimization have been central to the sustained success of the initiative. I developed robust performance dashboards in HubSpot and Google Data Studio, enabling detailed monitoring of key metrics such as session attendance, cost-per-lead (CPL), and enrollment conversions. To continuously refine our strategy, I conducted regular A/B testing on email subject lines, promotional materials, and messaging strategies. Additionally, I systematically adjusted session formats, speaker selections, and content duration based on attendee feedback and performance analytics, ensuring consistently high levels of audience engagement and improved outcomes.

      The scoreboard

The implementation of the Virtual Info Sessions Initiative resulted in substantial, quantifiable growth in audience engagement, lead generation, and enrollment conversions. By strategically shifting our marketing approach, we achieved the following key outcomes:

Year Total Info-Session Attendees
Before Launch (2021) 320
Year 1 (2022) 500
Year 2 (2023) 820+

Key results

Evergreen content

Developed a valuable repository of recorded session content, generating approximately 350 additional YouTube views monthly, significantly expanding our reach beyond live attendees.

Operational efficiency

Created a standardized event playbook subsequently adopted by the Admissions team, facilitating consistency and quality for alumni panels and other virtual engagements.

Brand authority

Successfully strengthened LEARN academy's reputation and industry presence through strategic guest-speaker partnerships, enhancing credibility and increasing audience trust and engagement.

      Game-changing results

The Virtual Info Sessions Initiative transformed LEARN academy’s approach to webinars, elevating them from a simple tactical tool into a central component of our enrollment strategy. These sessions now represent a robust pipeline engine, directly contributing directly to enrollments, highlighting their significant role in driving tangible business growth.

Moreover, these virtual sessions provided a critical, data-rich touchpoint that enhanced our ability to perform sophisticated lead scoring and targeted segmentation. This granular insight enabled us to deliver personalized marketing communications, ultimately improving conversion rates and maximizing the efficiency of our recruitment process.

Strategically, the initiative also strengthened LEARN academy’s market position. By consistently showcasing the high quality of our instructors and the real-world achievements of our alumni through live sessions, we successfully differentiated our brand from competitors. This authenticity and transparency reinforced trust among prospective students and established a clear competitive advantage within our target market.

      When plans meet reality

While implementing the Virtual Info Sessions Initiative, I encountered several critical challenges requiring strategic problem-solving and adaptability. Initially, managing attendee data from fragmented sources proved difficult, which I addressed by building a robust integration between Eventbrite and HubSpot, creating a streamlined process for accurate tracking and effective lead nurturing. Additionally, ensuring consistent speaker participation presented scheduling difficulties; I resolved this by proactively establishing a rotating bench of backup alumni speakers to guarantee smooth, uninterrupted sessions. Lastly, to prevent content fatigue and maintain sustained audience engagement, I strategically introduced themed sessions and interactive live coding demonstrations, continually refreshing our format and preserving attendee enthusiasm.

      Lessons from the trenches

Leading the Virtual Info Sessions Initiative significantly reinforced my capacity to translate strategic insights into practical, scalable business solutions. This project vividly demonstrated my ability to conceptualize and execute a marketing strategy that transformed an unproven concept into a powerful, repeatable asset driving consistent growth.

Through disciplined planning, proactive stakeholder engagement, and rigorous cross-functional collaboration, I successfully navigated complexity and delivered measurable impact. The continuous optimization driven by careful analysis and iterative adjustments exemplifies my commitment to data-driven decision-making and adaptability.

This initiative not only proved my strategic vision but also tested and validated my resilience and leadership under challenging circumstances. Ultimately, the Virtual Info Sessions have become a pivotal growth driver, exemplifying my ability to innovate, lead effectively, and achieve sustained business success.

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