Powerful Site Search for Higher Education with Sameer Maggon

11/22/24 • 28 min

In this conversation, Jeff Dillon interviews Sameer Maggon, CEO and founder of SearchStax, about the evolution of search technology, particularly in the context of higher education. Sameer shares his journey in the search industry, the challenges organizations face in building effective search infrastructures, and how SearchStax aims to bridge the gap for businesses of all sizes. The discussion also delves into the differences between search in e-commerce and higher education, the importance of continuous innovation, and the role of AI in enhancing search experiences. Sameer emphasizes the need for resilience in entrepreneurship and the significance of customer-centric approaches in technology development. Takeaways

Search is critical for shaping user experience online.
Building scalable search infrastructure is challenging for many organizations.
Higher education search focuses on guiding users to relevant information.
Continuous learning and innovation are essential to stay ahead in search technology.
Resilience is key in overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship.
Empowering teams fosters ownership and enhances productivity.
Customer feedback is vital for shaping product development.
AI can personalize and enhance search experiences significantly.
Data accessibility is crucial for effective search solutions.
Search engines should allow users to deprioritize outdated content.

Chapters 00:00 The Journey of SearchStax 08:02 Staying Ahead in Search Technology 14:58 The Role of AI in Search Technology 20:01 Challenges and Opportunities in Higher Ed Search Links Sameer Maggon on LinkedIn SearchStax on EdTech Connect

Search is critical for shaping user experience online.
Building scalable search infrastructure is challenging for many organizations.
Higher education search focuses on guiding users to relevant information.
Continuous learning and innovation are essential to stay ahead in search technology.
Resilience is key in overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship.
Empowering teams fosters ownership and enhances productivity.
Customer feedback is vital for shaping product development.
AI can personalize and enhance search experiences significantly.
Data accessibility is crucial for effective search solutions.
Search engines should allow users to deprioritize outdated content.

Previous Episode

AI-Powered Student Recruitment and Engagement with Dallin Palmer

In this episode of the EdTech Connect podcast, Jeff Dillon interviews Dallin Palmer, co-founder of Halda Inc., an AI-powered platform designed to enhance engagement for enrollment marketers in higher education. Dallin discusses the challenges faced by universities in digital marketing, the transformative role of AI in personalizing user experiences, and the importance of data privacy. He shares insights on measuring success and ROI in enrollment marketing, emphasizing the need for a luxury experience in higher education. The conversation concludes with advice for enrollment marketers on leveraging AI effectively. Takeaways

Halda aims to revolutionize engagement for enrollment marketers in higher education.
AI can significantly enhance the effectiveness of enrollment marketing strategies.
Personalization is key to improving user experience and conversion rates.
Understanding user behavior on websites is crucial for effective marketing.
Data privacy is a major concern, and only first-party data should be used for personalization.
Measuring success in enrollment marketing requires a focus on real ROI and student feedback.
The future of higher education will rely heavily on technology and AI integration.
Institutions must adapt to changing market dynamics and student expectations.
Effective content management is essential for successful enrollment marketing.
Enrollment marketers should embrace AI and experiment with its applications.

Sound Bites

"Your website is a prioritization problem."
"93% of students say this was helpful."
"If the student wins, everyone wins."
"You need a luxury experience in higher ed."
"We only use data that has been given to us."
"Don't be afraid of AI; embrace it."

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Halda and Its Mission 02:51 The Role of AI in Enrollment Marketing 05:50 Transforming User Experience with Personalization 08:56 Challenges in Higher Ed Marketing 11:55 Data Privacy and Ethical Considerations 14:53 Measuring Success and ROI in Enrollment 18:08 The Future of AI in Higher Education 20:57 Final Thoughts and Advice for Enrollment Marketers

BIO

Dallin Palmer is the Co-Founder of HALDA, Inc., an AI-powered platform revolutionizing engagement for enrollment marketers in higher education. With a background in sales and service design at companies like Podium and Chegg, Dallin specializes in innovative, data-driven solutions that drive personalization and automation in marketing.

LINKS
Halda.AI

Next Episode

Innovative Strategies for Marketing Higher Education with Haley Johnson

In this conversation, Jeff Dillon interviews Haley Johnson, the regional vice president of education solutions at Motimatic. They discuss Haley's journey from College Scheduler to Civitas and now to Motimatic, focusing on her expertise in student engagement and retention through innovative marketing strategies. Haley shares insights on the importance of social media in reaching students, particularly those who have stopped out, and the effectiveness of a performance-based marketing model that only charges institutions when they see results. The conversation also touches on emerging trends in higher education and the future of student communication. Takeaways

Haley Johnson is a champion for student success in educational technology.
Motimatic uses social media to drive student engagement and retention.
The pay-for-performance model ensures institutions only pay for results.
Student adoption is crucial for the success of educational software.
Community colleges are seeing significant success with targeted marketing efforts.
Social media ads are tailored to specific student needs and actions.
Traditional communication methods are becoming less effective with students.
Haley emphasizes the importance of understanding student behavior and preferences.
The future of higher education marketing is shifting towards innovative solutions.
Institutions should consider low-risk, performance-based marketing opportunities.

Sound Bites

"A true champion for student success."
"We average 3 to 5% conversion of those lists."
"We are a revenue generating partnership."
"Don't be afraid to look into it."

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Haley Johnson and Motimatic 02:53 Haley's Journey: From College Scheduler to Civitas 06:10 Understanding College Scheduler and Its Impact 09:09 Motimatic's Unique Approach to Student Engagement 11:46 Targeting Stopouts: Strategies and Success Stories 14:55 The Power of Social Media in Higher Education 17:55 Performance-Based Marketing: A Game Changer 21:13 Future Trends in Higher Education Marketing Links