Should my school move to a digital prospectus??

When it comes to showcasing the vibrant culture, innovative curriculum, and ambitious vision of your school to prospective students and families, your school prospectus is the key. Traditionally, these prospectuses took the form of printed brochures, handed out at open events or included in welcome packs. While this method still holds significance for many schools, many have championed a recent shift towards a more dynamic alternative - the digital prospectus.?

From convenience to accessibility, sustainability to cost-effectiveness, there are numerous advantages to embracing the digital prospectus. By going digital, you open doors to a more interactive experience for your audience. Engaging videos and captivating animations breathe life into your brochure, leaving a lasting impression on those who explore it.?

Perhaps the most compelling benefit lies in the cost-effectiveness of digital prospectuses. With no printing expenses, they can be distributed at a fraction of the cost of their paper counterparts, offering invaluable value for schools with limited budgets. Furthermore, keeping them up to date becomes a breeze, as there are no outdated copies collecting dust in cupboards!?

Five reasons to move from printed to digital?

#1 Digital formats are safer?

Gone are the days when physical touch was necessary to access information. With the power of digital technology, we can now enjoy the convenience and security of accessing documents, products, and services right from our own devices.?

Think about it - when was the last time you worried about who else had touched that catalogue or menu before you? Thanks to the digital realm, we no longer need to rely solely on printed materials, which may not always be 100% safe. It's our new reality, and if you haven't embraced this truth yet, it's time to adapt.?

The recent pandemic has forced us to rethink our traditional approaches, and the cleanliness of printed media is one of those areas. Working in schools, you often see printed media on stands for parents to pick up and browse. Digital media puts an end to that.?

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#2 Digital media takes us a step closer to a safer environment?

Have you ever considered the environmental impact of wildfires? In the past decade alone, an average of 6.8 million acres were lost annually to wildfires in the US. And who could forget the devastating fires that swept through Australia in 2020, leaving an estimated 46 million acres charred and destroyed? These staggering numbers are just a glimpse into the global environmental crisis we face today.?

Now, take a moment to imagine the countless trees that perished in those fires. Combine that with the trees being cut down each year for the paper industry, and it becomes clear that our reliance on paper is taking a toll on our environment. Sure, replanting efforts may help, but a significant amount of paper still goes to waste. It's disheartening to think that whatever purpose you use paper for—be it annual reports, sales catalogues, or monthly magazines—they ultimately end up being disposed of, rendering all the efforts invested in them futile.?

So, why not make a change? Why not choose to cut down on paper instead of trees??

Going green isn't just about fulfilling your social responsibility; it also has the power to enhance your school’s image and position your setting as an eco-friendly advocate. Besides, who wants to carry around stacks of prospectuses? We live in a digital era where convenience and accessibility reign supreme. By opting for digital formats, you can revolutionise the way you share information.?

Imagine parents having all your materials at their fingertips, ready to be accessed and studied on the go at their convenience. With a wide range of digital formats to choose from—whether it's Word documents, PDFs, online flipbooks, web presentations, slideshows, or eBooks—you have the flexibility to cater to various preferences. Each format has its own advantages and disadvantages, but they all surpass print in one way or another.?

Let's consider a scenario: a hefty Prospectus spanning over 30 pages. Wouldn't it be far more practical to have it available digitally? A weightless document that can be effortlessly accessed on any device and navigated easily—it speaks for itself. And most importantly, it saves trees. Instead of printing multiple copies that may be discarded, you can simply email the document directly to numerous parents and prospective parents or upload to your website, allowing them to choose when and how they utilise your information.?

#3 Less money spent on paper means more money to spend on improving outcomes?

If the first two points are not a worry for you, there’s another reason to give up printing. It saves costs! Some may think this is trivial, but it’s certainly convincing. Just think, instead of spending thousands of pounds on physical copies of your prospectus, you could invest in working with a partner who can save you money, that in turn you can use to invest in school improvement strategies.??

#4 Print doesn’t offer the diversity that your audience wants and needs?

In my perspective, printing falls short when it comes to interactivity. Whether it's coloured or black-and-white, paper remains flat and lacks engagement compared to the dynamic options available in the digital realm.?

Take GIFs and pop-ups, for instance. These elements bring life to the page, captivating and educating readers simultaneously. GIFs in the form of graphs can transform any report into a visually appealing and interactive experience. Meanwhile, pop-ups shine in product catalogues, enabling viewers to examine items up close instead of relying on zooming in on small details.?

And then there's video, a format that leaves print far behind. It has proven to be a game-changer for some schools during the recent pandemic. With offline physical solutions designed to showcase your schools no longer feasible, they've had to digitise their prospectus and incorporate videos instead of physical documents. While videos may not capture the tactile qualities of tiles or wallpaper, they still offer a captivating visual experience that hooks parents and stakeholders.?

#5 Think of the wasted space with physical stock?

When you use physical prospectus and flyers to share your amazing school with parents, prospective parents and stakeholders, you have to keep them somewhere, and you very often order on mass to keep the costs low. I visit many schools each year, and I see first-hand how precious space is. From the quiet corner where reading happens to the old store cupboard that is now the finance office, your space is needed for more meaningful activities and tasks.?

Digital media helps you solve that space headache, first digitise all the flyers, leaflets and prospectus you have, and then recycle.?

Go digital today?

If you're still using physical documents and this blog has inspired you to think about transitioning to digital, I would love to talk to you about how we can help you and your school.??