Ep. 71: Turn FAQs into Strategy: The Power of a Blog for Admissions

What happens when a university blog stops talking about itself and starts answering the real questions students are asking? In this episode, Allison sits down with Mary Flagg Lewis and Samantha McGill from the University of Pittsburgh to explore how Pitt’s blog evolved from a simple FAQ hub into a powerful, student-centered content strategy. You’ll hear how they use data, AI, and student personas to craft effective posts and why their most popular blog entry wasn’t what they expected.

Join us as we discuss:

• [3:43] How to balance helpful content with subtle brand messaging
• [16:36] How to use AI for messaging and tone
• [20:13] Why it’s important to track every interaction, every time

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “The Application with Allison Turcio” in your favorite podcast player.

Guest Names: 
Mary Flagg Lewis, Office of Admissions & Financial Aid Digital Marketing Manager, University of Pittsburgh
Samantha McGill, Office of Admissions & Financial Aid Marketing Data Analyst, University of Pittsburgh

Guest Socials: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-flagg-lewis-6a0b8930/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthamcgill/

Guest Bios: 
Mary Flagg Lewis, University of Pittsburgh, Office of Admissions & Financial Aid Digital Marketing Manager
As the Digital Marketing Manager for the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid at the University of Pittsburgh, Mary creates and launches marketing campaigns to support undergraduate recruitment efforts. In her time with the university, she has crafted a structure in which data supports campaign decisions and leads content direction across multiple platforms including email and web.

Samantha McGill, University of Pittsburgh, Office of Admissions & Financial Aid Marketing Data Analyst. At the University of Pittsburgh, Samantha has created analytical reporting dashboards and campaign review templates that allow for campaign execution improvements to the undergraduate recruitment process. within the time of utilizing the new reporting structures, the Marketing Communications team has been able to implement campaign adjustments with improved results and cultivate a better understanding of what attracts the targeted audiences to the University and its communications.

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Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

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