How businesses can use SMS / Text and Email to engage college students in their marketing plan
Many businesses are trying to market their products and services on college campuses.
This is a great way for companies to reach students directly, but it can be tough to do this effectively. There are many restrictions on the type of marketing that’s allowed on campus, including what kind of signs can be posted and where they’re allowed.
And while you might think that emailing or texting students would work well because it doesn’t take up physical space, there are still plenty of regulations about how these forms of communication can be used as well.
However, despite all restrictions that colleges have put into place, there are still some forms of marketing that businesses can use to their advantage.
SMS / Text and email both provide effective ways for companies to reach students. Email is particularly good because it gives businesses the chance to build relationships with prospective customers.
It is no secret that college students are a large and influential group of consumers. They have grown up with technology, and as such they use it more than the average person. It’s also not hard to see why this demographic would be an appealing target for marketers: high school seniors start making decisions about colleges in late spring, which means recruiters can’t wait!
In order to effectively market to this population using SMS marketing, we need to know how they think and what motivates them. Luckily there is some research on the subject! This means your message needs to be effective, but it also needs to be quick. This group of people isn’t going to wait around to check their email, they will see your message when they are free and respond immediately!
Marketers should also incorporate location-based services into their SMS marketing campaigns whenever possible. College students are more likely to respond to a text message that is relevant to their location. For instance, a restaurant near campus could send out a message saying “SMS ALERTS: 40% Off On The Second Tuesday Of Every Month!” This would be an attractive offer for any college student because it’s time-sensitive and relevant to their location.
Marketers in college towns should think about using SMS marketing for coupons and event promotions because it can be convenient when students are on the go. For example, a music store in Athens might send out a text advertising an upcoming performance by an artist that is popular with teens or young adults. They could even make this message more compelling by including a link to buy tickets or get on the guest list.
Although SMS marketing is often compared to email, there are some big differences that should be considered before you begin incorporating it into your college student marketing strategies. First, text messages are viewed as more personal, which means they have the potential to reach students at a more emotional level. Second, messages are just a lot faster and more spontaneous. A student can respond to a text within seconds, which means you get feedback from them much sooner!
Also, remember that texting is all about convenience- it’s easier than calling someone so students will do it even when they aren’t in a big hurry. In fact, some college students are so attached to their phones that they prefer texting for conversations with close friends. This means you have the potential to reach a wide range of young adults on different levels! Although SMS marketing is easy and convenient, marketers should keep some best practices in mind before getting started with this channel.