For as long as I’ve worked in the graduate enrollment marketing space, one challenge has consistently loomed large: how do schools generate a large number of quality leads?
And for years, the so-called “solutions” have either been non-existent, ineffective, or to just purchase names that were unlikely to pan out.
You know the story. Institutions pay for access to a list of “maybes” — people who might fit a certain demographic profile but have never actually raised their hand to express interest in your programs or school. These lists are expensive, impersonal, and, more often than not, ineffective. How much time have institutions wasted chasing these “maybes” down?
The need for legitimate, sustainable lead generation has only become more pronounced. Every graduate enrollment leader I talk to feels the same about this gap. Where is the alternative?
When I joined Direct Development, what struck me immediately was the unique blend of expertise (content strategy, SEO, digital advertising, CRM management, and conversion optimization) all under one roof — and all focused exclusively on higher education.
To me, it was clear: if anyone could finally crack the code on building a better lead generation solution for graduate programs, it would be this team.
That’s why I’m so excited to introduce Direct Development’s Graduate Lead Generation service.
This isn’t about buying names; it’s about earning genuine interest. It’s about creating content that resonates, optimizing it so the right students can find it, promoting it through smart digital outreach, and connecting it directly into your CRM with pathways built for nurturing and conversion.
Instead of a static list, you get:
In short, it’s a lead generation strategy that finally aligns with how prospective graduate students actually search, learn, and choose.
This launch feels personal for me. Having spent so many years in the agency and graduate space, I’ve seen the frustration on both sides — schools trying to fill their classes with limited resources, and students overwhelmed with generic outreach that doesn’t connect.
Coming to Direct Development gave me the chance to channel that experience into something new. Together, we’ve been able to package up our agency’s strengths into a solution that doesn’t just check a box but solves a problem that has plagued our field for far too long.
We’ve already seen proof of impact. From niche programs at small schools, like a Master’s in Forensic Psychology, to powerhouse institutions and their School of Engineering, this approach is helping schools attract, engage, and enroll students who are genuinely interested and ready to take the next step.
Our Graduate Lead Generation service is more than just a new offering. It’s a commitment to helping institutions move beyond outdated tactics and toward a more sustainable, student-centric approach to enrollment marketing.
I’m proud of the work our team has put into this, and I’m excited to see the impact it will have on graduate programs across the country. If you’ve been waiting for an alternative to purchased names or an answer to generating leads for your programs, this is it.
And if you want to learn more about implementing our Graduate Lead Generation solution for your school or program, put some time on my calendar; I’d love to talk through your specific challenges and how Direct Development can help.