September means one thing for Sheffield businesses: the students are back.
With thousands of new and returning students arriving in the city, Freshers’ Week is a great opportunity to get your business noticed.
But with hundreds of businesses and organisations competing for attention, how do you stand out?
Make your brand memorable
Freshers’ Fairs can be busy, so your branding needs to grab attention quickly.
Professional graphic design can help your stand, flyers, banners and promotional materials look polished and recognisable.
Keep your message simple, use bold visuals and make sure people can understand what you offer at a glance.
The goal? Make people stop.
Give students a reason to engage
A good-looking stand is a start, but you also need to give people a reason to interact with you.
Consider offering:
- A student discount
- A competition or giveaway
- A free sample
- An exclusive Freshers’ offer
- A QR code to a special promotion
- A reason to follow your social media
Keep it simple. If people need to read a full page to understand your offer, you've lost them.
Make your merchandise useful
Students will collect plenty of freebies during Freshers’ Week, so think carefully about what you're giving away.
Tote bags, notebooks, reusable bottles and other useful items are more likely to be kept and used.
That means your branding can continue to be seen long after the Freshers’ Fair has finished.
Connect your offline and online marketing
Don't let your Freshers’ Fair activity stop at the event.
Use QR codes to send students directly to your website, Instagram, a competition, an email sign-up or a student discount.
Make it as easy as possible for them to find you.
You can also build excitement before the event with social media content aimed at students.
Think:
“New to Sheffield?”
“5 things every Sheffield student needs to know.”
“Student discounts you need to know about.”
Your website needs to be ready
If someone discovers your business at a Freshers’ Fair, there's a good chance they'll look you up afterwards.
Make sure your website works well on mobile, clearly explains what you do and gives visitors an obvious next step.
A dedicated student or Freshers’ page can also be a great way to promote your offer.
Don't stop after Freshers’ Week
The real opportunity comes after the event.
Keep engaging with your new followers, continue promoting student offers and create content that keeps your business relevant throughout the university year.
Freshers’ Week can start the relationship, but your ongoing marketing is what turns awareness into customers.
Need help with your Freshers’ marketing?
From graphic design and promotional merchandise to websites and digital marketing, Glue Creative can help Sheffield businesses create campaigns that get noticed.
Because when everyone's competing for attention, being forgettable isn't an option.