How Sylvan Learning Center Keeps Parents On The Same Page Using Text Alerts
Sylvan Learning Centers consists of franchised and corporate supplemental learning centers that provide personal tutoring programs for students between kindergarten and 12th grade in reading, math, writing, homework help, study skills, state test prep and college prep. Sylvan’s Colorado Springs South location is owned and operated by Executive Director Mike Easley for more than 5 years.
“We ask all of our customers to sign up for text message alerts, which makes it an easy way for us to communicate with our families and make sure that everyone is on the same page. “
– Mike Easley, Executive Director
Notifying Parents With Paper
Mike Easley needed a way to communicate to parents about the learning center’s hours and days of operation. Since their schedule is different from the local schools, families would sometimes show up when the center was closed, or not come at all even though the center was open for business. “We used to just put a sign on our doors, or send flyers home with the kids in an attempt to catch all parents. It wasn’t very efficient, plus we sent notices home sometimes a week ahead of time and parents would just forget.”
Text Messaging Gets The Word Out
Easley had heard of using mass text messaging from a friend and decided to give TextMarks a try. “It is much simpler,” said Easley. “With TextMarks, I can set up four to five texts all at one time and schedule them when I want them to go. Over the holidays, for example, we were closed on certain days and open on others, but I could set up multiple text alerts in advance and not have to worry about getting the word out to our families.”
Text alerts are also being sent during severe weather. “Here in Colorado, we just had a snowstorm with 18 inches of snow and were closed for 2 days. With TextMarks, I could easily notify my teachers and families and let them know not to come. Or if we are open, I’d let them know that too, but caution them to drive safely.”
SMS Keeps Customers Coming And Helps Provide Great Service
For Sylvan Learning Center in Colorado Springs, communication is important to the success of their small business. “If six people don’t come in on a Tuesday because they think we are closed, that’s $300 in revenue. Also, some of our customers drive an hour or so to come to our center. So it matters, from a customer service and a revenue perspective.”
During severe weather or other event where the center is closed, Easley is able to hit 95% of his customers with a text message notification. “We ask all of our customers to sign up for text message alerts, which makes it an easy way for us to communicate with our families and make sure that everyone is on the same page. “
Interested in learning more about text messaging for your small business? Call TextMarks at 800-696-1393 or email tmsales@textmarks.com.
Photos provided by Sylvan Learning Center, Colorado Springs South.
