The Power of Student Testimonials: Why They Matter & How to Use Them

Choosing where to pursue higher education or even secondary school is one of the most impactful decisions in a young person’s life. For many, it’s the first time they’ll be living away from home, and they want to be sure they’re making the right choice. Hearing from other students that have gone through a similar experience can make the difference in choosing one college versus another.

To truly create a connection with prospective students, your institution can highlight many things across your website and platforms. When deciding where to spend their next several years, these young people think about various aspects of student life, including the atmosphere, campus, and social life.

But what really resonates is when potential students learn about your school directly from current students through testimonials. As a higher educational institution, leveraging student testimonials can help you capture the essence of what life is like at your college from a student's point of view.

Let’s look at why student testimonials are so powerful and how you can use them to draw in more applicants.

The benefits of student testimonials

Student testimonials are especially powerful because they provide an honest account of what it's like to attend your school. Here are some of the benefits they can provide.

1. Build trust and credibility

When prospective students are considering enrolling in your institution, they’re likely to do extensive research before making a decision. They want to know that they’ll have a good on-campus experience and receive a quality education that’s worth their time and money.

This is where student testimonials can help. By sharing stories and experiences from current and past students, you can help build trust and establish credibility with prospective students. When they read positive feedback from real students who have attended your institution, they are more likely to believe that your institution is a good investment for their education.

2. Provide an authentic perspective

Student testimonials provide a unique and authentic perspective on what it's like to attend your institution. They can provide prospective students insights into the challenges and successes that past students have experienced in your programs.

This perspective can help prospective students understand what they can expect when they enroll, and help them determine if your institution is the right fit for their educational goals and needs.

3. Showcase unique attributes

Testimonials also provide an opportunity for you as an institution to showcase the unique attributes that give your school its identity. You can highlight how faculty genuinely care about their students’ success, or feature a particular club that sets you apart from other schools. It’s all about allowing potential students to get an idea of what student life is like without needing to step foot on campus.

How to use student testimonials effectively

Getting testimonials from current and past students is just the first step—once you’ve received them, you need to share them in channels that prospective students are likely to use.

1. Include testimonials on your website

One of the most effective ways to use student testimonials is to include them on your college or university website. This allows prospective students to read feedback from current and past students while they are researching your institution.

Consider creating a dedicated page on your website for student testimonials. You can feature quotes, videos, or written testimonials from students who have attended your institution.

2. Share testimonials on social media

Social media is a powerful tool for reaching a wide audience. Consider sharing student testimonials on your institution's social media pages. This can help increase engagement and encourage more people to learn about the benefits that can come from attending your school.

3. Use testimonials in your marketing materials

Student testimonials can be a valuable addition to your marketing materials, such as brochures, flyers, and advertisements. Consider including quotes or snippets from student testimonials in these materials to showcase the benefits of attending your institution. Be sure to include pictures of the students that gave the testimonials to increase authenticity.

4. Create video testimonials

Video testimonials are a powerful way to showcase student feedback. However, many college administrators believe doing so is prohibitively expensive and time-consuming.

That’s where Testimonial Hero comes in. Our modern solutions allow colleges and universities to get professional quality video testimonials without the hassle and expense of hiring cameras or editing experts. Whether you’re looking for on-site or remote testimonials, our pros take care of all the details at an affordable price.

To start generating deeper connections with prospective students, schedule a strategy session today.

5. Cover a diverse range of concerns and backgrounds

Prospective students may have common concerns or questions about your institution. Consider using student testimonials to address these concerns. For example, if students often ask about the quality of your faculty, feature testimonials from students who have had positive experiences with your instructors.

Also, be sure to feature different types of students in terms of age, gender, race, ethnicity and areas of study so that there is something for everyone.

Build trust and credibility through student testimonials

Student testimonials are a powerful tool for growing your institution. They’re essential for colleges, universities, and secondary schools looking to attract high-quality applicants and stand out amongst competitors.

When used correctly, these real-life stories can create powerful connections between current and future students by highlighting all the amazing aspects of attending your school—from academic programs to student life—in a genuine way that resonates with those considering enrolling in higher education programs.

When it comes to testimonials, videos are the gold standard. Being able to see and hear from existing students that look and sound like them instills a trust in prospective students that most marketing materials can’t match.

And the good news is creating professional-quality video testimonials, either on-site or remotely, is easier and more affordable than you might think. To learn more, schedule a strategy session today.