Small-Budget Transfer Campaign That Generated 172 Leads

A five-week, $7,300 campaign across Meta, Google Ads and programmatic — built around real transfer student testimonials — that generated 172 primary leads at $45.94 per lead during winter break.

Facebook ad for Menlo College Admissions reading 'Housing & scholarship guaranteed,' featuring the Golden Gate Bridge and promoting transfer enrollment for spring 2024Menlo College

Challenge:

Menlo College, an AACSB-accredited Business and Psychology institution in Silicon Valley, had a modest budget for a big goal: $7,300 to reach, engage and convert transfer students over the winter break.

Solution:

Calculate created, built and launched a digital campaign on Meta, Google Ads, and via programmatic advertising. Campaign messaging featured the words and experiences of a current transfer student incorporated into the themes of:

  • Academic quality
  • Alumni success
  • Transfer scholarship
  • Campus life/Guaranteed housing

Results:

The 5-week campaign yielded 4,945 clicks with users taking the following actions:

  • 172 Primary (Direct) Leads: Completed forms and phone calls (sent to the Admissions team)
  • 492 Secondary Leads: These are actions taken by the user that show they want to learn more—clicks to the institutional website; clicks to apply, visit/tour
  • 255 Tertiary Actions: Clicks that show engagement via social media comments, reactions and shares

Costs:

  • Cost per Click: $1.59
  • Cost per Action (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Actions): $8.77
  • Cost per Direct Lead: $45.94

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