The 3 questions education marketers should ask this summer

 

Volume 45

Fourth of July week has just passed, and in education, this is the one stretch of summer when the whole field exhales. A handful of you have just sprinted through ISTE at the start of the week, but even the busiest inbox slows by Wednesday. That pause can feel reckless while budgets tighten and sales drag, yet the move we resist most—stepping back, breathing, noticing—often lets us see the whole forest instead of the nearest trees.

My name, Elana, loosely translates to Tree of Life in Hebrew (fun fact: I may be the only non-Jewish "Elana" you will ever meet. My mom thought it was Hawaiian, and I was supposed to be born in Hawaii). The real “Tree of Life” is a 9-meter acacia that survives alone in the Bahraini desert, its roots reaching more than 30 meters down to hidden water. Scientists still debate how it stands, but locals know: deep roots and patient adaptation beat harsh winds every time.

That metaphor matters for those of us who market and sell in education. The marketers who survive downturns are the ones whose roots go deep. They can connect every campaign and every dollar to an outcome their organization cares about. They tell stories of impact no competitor or AI tool can copy, because the story is lived, not spun.

So give yourself permission to step away this week. Take the walk. Eat the funnel cake. Use the quiet to map the roots of your work:

  • What outcomes does your organization need most right now?

  • Which of your investments (time, budget, energy) feed those outcomes?

  • Where do you need new nutrients or a harder prune?

This is the same exercise we just finished at LCG. The result is our first on-demand LinkedIn course for company pages, the beginning of a larger plan to share practical, relationship-first tools with anyone who needs them, not just the clients we serve one-on-one.

Wherever you are during this 4th of July break, I hope you choose joy and let it fuel the creative work to come.

Until next time,

 
 
 

​🎉 Early bird pricing ends soon—June 30!​

Early bird pricing ends June 30! There are just a few days to get our brand-new course for just $395. Level Up Your Education Brand on LinkedIn is our first-ever online course, which teaches you how to grow your Company Page to generate brand visibility and qualified leads. Enroll today.

 
 

EdTech Good News

Arizona State University’s Next Education Workforce model is showing promise in tackling one of public education’s biggest challenges: teacher turnover. In a recent study, ASU and CRPE found that teachers working on a new team-based staffing model were half as likely to leave their schools as peers in traditional setups.

 

Marketing & Education Must Reads

Marketing

  • Jay Schwedelson on LinkedIn Links: Including links in your LinkedIn posts won’t tank reach, just place them thoughtfully and focus on delivering value in the post itself. 

  • Sprout Social on Benchmarking Tools:  Benchmarking isn’t just about numbers. Their templates help you compare performance by platform, industry, and audience size with more intention.

  • Social Media Examiner on Instagram Strategy: Focus your Instagram content on solving real problems. That’s what attracts quality leads who are ready to take action.

  • Email Marketing Heroes on List Building: You don’t need hours to grow your email list. Quick, high-impact tactics like lead magnets, quizzes, and social opt-ins can make a difference in just minutes.

  • Neil Patel on B2B Content: Most B2B content fails because it’s too focused on the product. Leading with insights, not features, is what builds trust and drives action.

Education

  • Forbes on Redesigning Schools for AI: To prepare students for an AI-driven future, schools must move beyond surface-level tech adoption. Real readiness comes from rethinking how and what we teach.

  • Education Week on Team Teaching: Teachers working in collaborative teams are twice as likely to stay in their schools compared to those teaching solo. Shared planning and instruction not only reduce burnout but also reignite passion for the profession.

  • EdSurge on Home-Based Child Care: For the first time in years, home-based programs are rising. Flexible funding and renewed support are helping providers stay in business.

  • DA Leadership Institute on Top EdTech: This year’s standout EdTech products support real-world skills, student engagement, and better teacher workflows. Districts are prioritizing tools that solve everyday problems.

  • Ben Kornell on ESA Market Growth: Education Service Agencies now serve 80 percent of U.S. districts. As they expand, they’re becoming key players in how districts find and vet EdTech.

  • The 74 on Elementary Math Prep: Most states aren’t adequately preparing future teachers to teach math. A new report urges stronger coursework and clearer expectations for elementary teacher prep programs.

 

See you next time!