The Amplify.me event on December 3, 2024, was the first event I participated in and actively promoted as part of the SBM community team. Although I had prior marketing experience, this was the first time I had to think creatively. The challenge? Promoting an event to constantly busy students who juggle between classes, part-time jobs, and personal commitments. Traditional marketing methods often fall short. Many students don’t immediately see the value in attending extracurricular events and may perceive them as time-consuming or irrelevant, even when these events could actually strengthen their skills and boost their career prospects.
We saw the most interest from first-semester students. They’re typically more curious, open to new opportunities, and not yet profoundly focused on exams or specialization. Many are still figuring out their interests, making them more likely to give new experiences a chance.
So—how did we do it? How did we manage to fill the room and turn people away due to the limited space?
Here are the five key strategies that made it happen:
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- Be Direct and Use Personal Digital Marketing
Digital messaging—especially in personal or group chats—is far more effective than traditional offline methods. While posters and flyers can help raise awareness, they often lack the space to include key information. With digital messages, we could explain the event clearly, add visuals, and make it more engaging and accessible. Plus, messages sent via WhatsApp or Telegram are more likely to be seen and read.
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- Lead with the Benefits
Start with what matters to students: what they gain. In our amplify.me campaign, the first line was:
“Would you like the chance to win an internship and gain a valuable certificate?”
This instantly caught their attention. Even if they didn’t land the internship, the certificate alone was a strong incentive. It made the event feel like a real opportunity rather than just another time commitment.
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- Add Credibility Through Context
Once you’ve hooked their interest, build trust—share who’s organizing the event, their background, and what companies are involved. For Amplify.me, the involvement of major banks like Morgan Stanley and UBS gave the event immediate legitimacy and increased its perceived value. Associating the event with well-known names made it feel more professional and worthwhile.
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- Use Scarcity to Drive Action
People respond to scarcity. We emphasized that space was limited—and it worked. For students on the fence, knowing there was a risk of missing out pushed them to decide faster. The idea of exclusivity can be a powerful motivator.
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- Collect Data and Feedback
Feedback is essential. After the event, we gathered as much information as possible: attendance numbers, student reactions, interest in future events, and whether participants wanted to join SBM. We also used polls and informal chats to get honest insights. The more data you collect, the better you can tailor your approach next time.
Not every event or strategy goes according to plan. Sometimes, things fall short—but the key is to stay adaptable. Analyze the results, listen to your audience, and be ready to shift your approach. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but you can continuously improve your effectiveness by testing different tactics and understanding your audience deeply.
Keep an open mind, and always start with the question: What does your audience actually need?
That’s where good marketing begins.
