What does this research mean for the field?

Paid advertising results in sizable increases in enrollment for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension programs compared to free advertising methods. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to evaluate the impact of advertising methods on enrollment numbers for FCS Extension programs.

May 28, 2026

Working Smart: Increasing the Reach of Extension Programming Through Media Advertising

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate the impact of advertising methods on enrollment numbers for FCS Extension programs.
Comparative analysis of enrollment numbers for programs promoted with free and paid advertising methods.
Focus on Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education programs across multiple counties.
Paid advertising led to a significant increase in enrollment numbers compared to free advertising methods.

Abstract

A successful Extension program requires effective marketing strategies. Extension educators commit extensive time and resources to prepare an educational program, but who will attend the event? A well prepared program with poor attendance frustrates the presenter and wastes precious Extension resources. As county programs work within the financial constraints of lean economic times, ineffective program marketing is unaffordable. This article shares the results of a study conducted to compare the enrollment numbers for FCS education programs that were promoted using either free and then paid advertising methods. Paid advertizing resulted in sizeable increases in enrollment for FCS Extension programs.

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