247: Experience beats message

247: Experience beats message

From smj: school marketing journal by imageseven

May 28, 2026 · 20 min · Season 1 · Episode 247

About this episode

The episode discusses how experience shapes parent confidence more than messaging in school marketing.

School Marketing Journal with Brad Entwistle, Andrew Sculthorpe and Belinda McCubbin In this episode, Brad, Bel and Scully explore the sixth principle in the series: experience beats message. They discuss why messaging can open the door, but parent confidence is shaped by what families repeatedly experience through tours, follow-up, responsiveness and prospective parent touchpoints. The trio examines how mixed signals weaken trust, why the enrolment journey is the brand made visible, and why Heads must lead the standards, systems and behaviours that give the school's message something true to stand on. Episode links: Reflection and Leadership Guide: Experience beats message Get in touch at smj@imageseven.com.au

People in this episode

Hosts: Brad Entwistle, Andrew Sculthorpe, Belinda McCubbin

Topics covered

  • experience
  • messaging
  • parent confidence
  • enrolment journey
  • trust
  • leadership

Keywords

  • school marketing
  • parent experience
  • enrolment
  • trust
  • leadership

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: imageseven

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