As we’re approaching the time to convert applicants to deposited and enrolled students, everyone is thinking about yield.

Each yield communication and event should have a purpose and a call to action; it should take you to the next step.

Many of you will be hosting events for students who have applied and have you near the top of their list. While you’ll roll out the red carpet, gussy up the campus, serve better-than-average food, and have a meet and greet with your president, do you have a plan of action to get the students to take the next step?

These events are about garnering the deposit, so why not take a cue from Girl Scouts? They are selling cookies to countless small businesses by converting smartphones into electronic payment devices.

According to a recent Bloomberg Businessweek article, Turning Smartphones into Cash Registers, payments via smartphone credit card readers will tally some $11 billion this year. Why not bump this up to include deposits at the end of your yield events?

According to Fast Company, even that Girl Scout selling you Thin Mints and Samoas is using a mobile credit card system.

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Read more about our authors.  Jeff is the VP of the Consulting Division and also known as the “Apostle of Authenticity.” He crisscrosses the country speaking at conferences and working with our clients. He’s driven by a mission to inspire higher education executives and admissions offices to overthrow dead culture, embrace their authentic “DNA” and render engaging experiences.