The number of students attending college is increasing year after year. In fact, the number of students attending college now is the highest in USA’s history. Moreover, these are the students of Generation Y of the millennial. Thanks to technological advancements, they are more connected, aware and engaging than any other students in the past. What’s more, they are independent, young, smart and economically powerful.

Student Consumers

Statistics state that this group of about $20.5 million college students has a purchasing power of about $250-$300 billion. Of this, 20 percent is estimated to be discretionary spending.

Therefore, engaging with these students at this impressionable age creates a long-lasting relationship between the consumer and the brand, product or service.

So, if you have a product which caters to the needs and wants of this powerful demographic, then capture their attention with smart Campus marketing solutions.

Why Campus Marketing

Millennial students are more aware, socially active, empowered and connected than ever before. They are constantly moving and spend most of their time with friends and peers. This is why traditional media and advertising fail at garnering their attention. Customized marketing campaigns are required to reach the college student group.

This group is different does not mean they are resistant to marketing. They have the money and they also spend it on brands which they can connect with and relate to. It is therefore, crucial for marketing campaigns to engage with the college students. The best place to engage with these students is the place where they spend most of their time; On-Campus.

Therefore, on-campus marketing campaigns and promotions is the best way to reach this powerful customer group.

However, directly marketing the products or services through attractive advertisements and loud marketing messages may not work. The right approach is to create original activities and events on-campus, which they would like to be a part of. Through these events, they can be drawn into engaging with the product or brand. Students then get involved and connect with the brand.

For instance: A brand organizes a contest on-campus and rewards the participants with their product. Through the contest, students get engaged and involved with the brand. Moreover, this is the time when they develop their tastes, habits and preferences. Brands that create an impact now can be certain of a long-lasting relationship with these students.

Student-to-Student Marketing

Another important characteristic of the Generation Y college students is the influence of peers and friends. Students’ influence each other’s decision making. This is why marketers recruit and train student brand ambassadors for on-campus marketing. Some influential students with large networks are identified and recruited as student brand ambassadors. These ambassadors are the walking and talking representatives of the brand. They influence their friends and peers to use the particular brand or product.

Apart from these, other campus marketing solutions include distributing flyers, pamphlets etc, and on-campus events to engage with college students.

Therefore, efficient campus marketing solutions will certainly make your sales graph and customer base soar higher than ever.