Students have thousands of things fighting for their attention. Whether it be demanding classes, concerts, parties, and various extracurricular activities. To make your student section stand out in this competitive landscape, it is crucial to market it effectively. In this post, we will discuss marketing strategies and creative approaches to capture student attention, generate buzz, and increase fan engagement.
Tactic One: Social Media
Social media plays a vital role in modern marketing and is an excellent platform to generate buzz among students. A common misconception when it comes to student section social media is that you should be posting game day graphics with the information for each game. Although this may inform students that a game is coming up, it doesn’t give them a reason to buy into the culture of your student section and become passionate fans. Highlight the fun, excitement, and energy of your games to create an irresistible allure for potential fans. By conveying the expectation of an enjoyable experience, you can establish a strong cultural identity and foster lasting fan loyalty.
Instagram should be your primary social media platform, as it attracts a large student audience and offers diverse content formats like posts, stories, highlights, and reels. Utilize these features to announce game themes and details, encouraging interaction, follows, and content sharing among students.
Tactic Two: On Campus Marketing
There are many common ways to market games at your school. Posters, for example, are a very popular way to market events happening on your campus. Although hanging up posters can be effective, they can easily be overlooked due to the volume of clubs trying to advertise their event in the same way. We recommend you think bigger and create a giant banner using a cheap bed sheet and paint. Include information such as the date, time, opponent and theme of the game. Display it prominently in high-traffic areas like the cafeteria, student union, or prominent buildings to ensure maximum visibility and awareness. An informational banner of that size is impossible to miss, making students fully aware of the important information you are advertising.
Another effective on-campus tactic is setting up a table with your student section leaders. Provide promotional, student section branded items, hand out informational flyers, or play music to create excitement for game day. Don’t forget to include your social media handles on the flyers to encourage students to explore your brand and culture further.
Tactic Three: Word of Mouth
Encourage your leaders to engage in personal, one-on-one interactions with random students they encounter on campus. Have them share the vision of your student section and extend a personal invitation to the upcoming sporting events and the experience they will have if they attend. This personalized approach makes students feel valued and wanted. If students enjoy their experience at a game, they are more likely to invite their friends, thus expanding the reach through word of mouth.
Tactic Four: Direct Communication
Utilize direct texting services to communicate with students effectively. Stand out by crafting personalized and enthusiastic messages, reminding students about game details such as date, time, and theme, as well as including a clear call to action. Make them feel excited and invited to be part of the unique experience your sporting events offer.
Although students have a million things fighting for their attention, your student section has the ability to stand out in the competitive landscape. Be creative with your marketing and always remember to advertise the experience students will have when they attend your sporting events. By leveraging social media, on campus marketing, word of mouth, and direct communication, you can effectively reach students and invite them into the excitement of your student section.
