Marketing to college students requires a different approach than marketing to other demographics. What works with other customers and clients may not work with a college-aged audience. So to help you out, here are some tips to consider when you’re brainstorming how to successfully market your company to college students.
1. Get Connected.
Each year, more and more people are joining various social media sites, and the overwhelming majority of college students are already active on social media. If your company doesn’t have a page or account that’s active and accessible on sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, you’re missing out on prime marketing platforms and opportunities. Plus, you’re inadvertently telling students that you’re not current and trendy or really operating in the digital world.
2. Get App-y.
With practically everyone having smartphones today and college students living basically glued to their tech, it’s important to embrace the digital age and not just be active and connecting with students on social media, but through apps as well. Developing an app for your company that’s phone and tablet-compatible will help you reach college students more readily and allow you to successfully market your business to students.
3. Get to the Point.
Less is more when it comes to marketing to college students. Be quick and to the point about what your company offers and why students should become customers. Since college students will likely only spend a short amount of time reading or looking at your marketing campaigns initially, you want to be sure to grab their attention and make your brand clear right away.
4. Get Creative.
Even if students may only spend a little while looking at your company’s marketing ads, there’s still room for creativity in simple copy. Your campaigns can be witty, sarcastic, funny, or put a spin on slang or something trendy, all of which will land with college students and make them more interested in your company and brand. However, there’s a fine line between being trendy and cool and trying too hard, and you want to make sure not to cross the line when marketing. College students can tell that sort of thing and will be unimpressed with your marketing efforts if that happens.
These are only a few tips to keep in mind when marketing to college students so you are more successful. Just know that college students are different than other demographics and usually need more targeted marketing to land their interest and you’ll be on your way to hooking that crucial college student audience and clientele.