Q: Butler County CC sends out their brochures so that them arrive right after Christmas, the second mailing goes out in the 2nd or 3rd week of January to best customers. Is it worth the risk of mailing earlier (before Christmas)? Last year our first class began the second week of January. That was the earliest class. The rest began the third week and so on
A: We have had a number of programs over the past several years who have mailed brochures six to 8 weeks out, regardless of the relationship to Christmas. These programs report no negative impact on enrollments when their brochures arrive before the Christmas Holiday. The more important issue seems to be that the brochures are mailed six to eight weeks before the first classes begin for your avocational programs. Of course, for professional development programs, you would mail earlier. Again, mail a second time to best customers two weeks after the first mailing goes out.
You should monitor responses carefully if you change dates. Fortunately, if you do see a reduction in response, which we would not predict, based on experiences of other programs, you still have time to send out additional promotion to past participants..