How to create a successful student marketing campaign

It's always a great time to launch a student marketing campaign - from Black Friday to Back to School, college students are constantly on the lookout for a brand that will give them affordability, authenticity and more. If you’re looking to win over this year’s new and returning students at the most important time in the student marketing calendar, just follow the steps below.

Create a student content plan

Content marketing should play a key role in your student campaign. If it is Back to School or Freshers, it's a time of year when students are looking for guidance. According to a recent survey of Student Beans users, the most common subjects to research ahead of starting college are what they need to buy (73% research this), on-campus activities/groups (64%), and campus facilities (64%). Other key periods where students will be on the lookout for advice include graduation, spring break, summer vacation and Black Friday.

Launch your student discount program

When starting college, students are making purchasing decisions in new brand categories for the first time, so it’s crucial for your brand to stand out above the rest. Price is a key determining factor and offering a student discount will give your brand an edge with this demographic, who will go on to become loyal customers if they have a positive experience with your product.

Engage your student customer base

In the digital marketing era, targeting messages to the appropriate audience is key. Brands often worry about raising awareness of their student discount to other customers, so we help them to target their marketing specifically to students. Our brand partners gain access to a verified database of their student customers, making it easier than ever to communicate with this group.

Attract new student customers

Back to School season is the most effective time of year for growing your student customer base. We recommend implementing marketing activities such as paid social, targeted to student customers, and a student-focused SEO strategy. With such a large portion of student spending taking place between July and September, now is the time to raise brand recognition and ensure you’re the most talked about brand on campus.

Learn more about Back to School season and hear from students themselves on the most effective marketing techniques by heading to our brand new Back to School hub.