Season 6 - Episode 198

Why does no one read your university emails? Ashley Budd and Dayana Kibilds, co-authors of Mailed It!, join us to break down the biggest mistakes higher ed marketers make—and how to fix them.

In this episode, we get tactical about what actually works in email marketing for enrollment, advancement, and alumni engagement. From crafting subject lines that get clicks to making emails feel more personal (without being creepy), Ashley and Dayana share practical, real-world strategies to improve open rates, engagement, and conversions.

We also explore the evolving role of AI in email marketing, how to balance transactional emails with meaningful content, and what the future of email looks like for universities. 

📩 If you're sending emails in higher ed, you don’t want to miss this one!

🎧 Listen to Learn:

✅ The biggest mistake: universities sending overly transactional emails.

✅ How email marketing is shifting back to relationship building.

✅ How to make email personalization feel like a one-on-one conversation.

✅ Why AI should support—not replace—human touch in email marketing.

✅ Why segmentation is essential for higher ed email success.

Join us as we discuss:

02:33 - Personalization Matters

06:01 - Email Segmentation Strategies

09:57 - Leveraging AI for Email Personalization

14:57 - Revamping Email so They Get Read

20:45 - Mastering Subject Lines (2 Second Rule)

26:09 - The Importance of Conciseness in Email Communication

37:33 - Practical Tips for Immediate Email Marketing Improvement

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The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, and branding needs—and sponsored by Ring Digital, your ad targeting people.

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