CollegePlannerPro Blog

CollegePlannerPro is dedicated to providing business tools and resources for independent consultants at every stage of their business. When looking to add team members to a solo practice, IECs often question when and where to begin. 

We conducted a survey of independent college consultants who work with others, whether it be a part-time assistant or a team of 20 consultants. The goal of this survey is to shed light on the current state of the industry and best practices for growing IEC teams. We had nearly 100 responses to our survey and published our results in the following infographic. 

The CollegePlannerPro team was joined by four IECs for a transparent conversation regarding the pricing of college consulting services. During the insightful conversation, our panelists shared their experiences and opinions and attendees chimed in with questions and commentary. The CollegePlannerPro team shared relevant data from the results of our IEC pricing survey. For a more detailed analysis of the survey results, please download the guide below. 

Most companies—large, small, and everywhere in between—rely on software platforms and online tools in order to run more efficiently. For large companies, these systems are essential and the benefits seem obvious. Sharing information between departments and managing hundreds or even thousands of clients would be near impossible without tools for automation and data storage.

When operating or launching a much smaller business, such as an independent educational consulting practice, there is a greater importance placed on the cost-benefit of each tool implemented. To help with this, we’ve highlighted eight key benefits that a student management platform can provide an IEC practice.

In CollegePlannerPro's recent COVID-Impact Survey, 53% of survey participants reported business growth since the pandemic hit in March, with 19% reporting significant business growth. Citing the uncertainty and changing landscape of college admissions, less access to school counselors, and the ability to reach more students virtually, 28% of survey participants made the prediction that COVID-19's impact will have a positive financial result on their individual businesses and/or the IEC industry as a whole. 

We know that 2020 is the year in which no amount of planning could have anticipated all the twists and turns since its start. While there have been challenges, there has been resilience, too. Many have made tweaks and even wholesale changes to their IEC practices. We surveyed more than 200 IECs to help tell an industry-wide story about the impact COVID has had so far and may continue to play in the future.  

Throughout the years, one common piece of feedback we have heard from consultants like you is that students are reluctant to log in and engage with a student portal. Our goal is to make this a thing of the past. 

We hear from many prospective members that their general discomfort with technology is the roadblock holding them back from implementing a student management software platform. Although "old-school" methods are acceptable, they take up unnecessary time and could very well be stalling business growth opportunities.

If you are timid about diving in, here are 7 tips for overcoming your fears and making the most of the CollegePlannerPro platform.

Email marketing can help independent educational consultants foster better customer relationships and build a stronger brand, both of which will contribute to a growing business. 

In this blog post, we outline the four critical steps to building a successful email strategy. 

Becoming an educational consultant can be a financially rewarding and emotionally fulfilling profession.

CollegePlannerPro was fortunate enough to join and sponsor the IECA Professional Members retreat last month in Phoenix, AZ. Participants spent the retreat with their business hats on, learning from small business marketing and branding professionals as well as from one another during group conversations. All members left refreshed and equipped with a wealth of new business strategies to take back and implement in their practices, including the CollegePlannerPro team!