College events are a great place for sponsors to get valuable experience for their future marketing campaigns. College events are also not your typical event. They are fun, energized, and there is always something new happening. You should sponsor an event because you want other people to have the same great experience that you did.

Why should I sponsor a college event?

College events offer an opportunity for your business to position itself as one of the most exciting and current places in town. College attendees are active, outgoing, and fun loving with little regard to their budget when it comes to having a good time. They want this weekend or special event that they will remember for a lifetime. They want to live life to the fullest and these events are an integral part of this experience.

What can I expect as a sponsor?

Sponsoring college events is about promoting your business in front of thousands of active young adults. At college events, you can expect that attendees will be excited about your brand or products. This excitement could be reflected in the number of referrals your business will receive after sponsoring an event.

How much does it cost to sponsor a college event?

The costs associated with sponsoring college events are minimal compared to other marketing strategies, such as local print or radio ads. You can expect to pay anywhere between $500 and $5,000 for a college event sponsorship. In addition to the purchase of your banner or logo placement, you will also benefit from signage at the event and any special promotions associated with your business. It all depends on what kind of exposure & experience you want out of sponsoring a college event.

What if I don’t have a big budget?

If you don’t have a big marketing budget, that doesn’t mean that you can’t or shouldn’t sponsor college events. You do not need to spend thousands of dollars to take advantage of the many opportunities available for your business. Any type of product or service will work as a great sponsorship item. Even if you know almost nothing about the event that you are sponsoring, if your business is a fit for the demographic of college attendees it would be a good fit to sponsor this event.

Where can I find the right events to sponsor?

The best place to start your search for an appropriate college event is on Facebook. Search “college events” on Facebook and see what comes up. You will quickly be able to eliminate events that are not suitable for your business and find those with the most relevance for you and your company.

How can I make my sponsorship even better?

There is a lot of competition for college event sponsorships and you want your business to stand out from the rest. You can do this by offering something unexpected. A prize for a “best dressed” contest is always a hit or if your company has clothing, offer free t-shirts to the best dressed male and female guest. You could give away free samples of your business’s newest product, provide an exclusive discount for event guests, or even host a VIP meet-and-greet with your company’s CEO or another important employee.

Is there anything else I should know?

Yes! Don’t forget to take pictures! There are many ways to take advantage of the fact that your business is a college event sponsor. Offer a discount for photo sharing by providing a special promo code on social media outlets such as Instagram and Snapchat, directly after the event. You could also have your company’s representative or marketing team upload testimonial videos from attendees, post pictures from the event on your business’s website, or offer video testimonials from students complimenting your products. All of these ideas will promote your business after the event is over and ensure that you make the most out of every sponsorship opportunity.