Schools, colleges, and universities are always looking to increase awareness about enrollment, campus events, school clubs and programs, fundraisers, alumni support and community involvement. Whether your goal is recruiting more students for your university, or your boosting attendance at athletic events, custom giveaways help schools get the word out. Here are a few fun ideas to help schools reach their goals using promotional products.
Objective: Promote School Athletics
A school’s athletic program was struggling to pay for recurring expenses. Game attendance had dropped over the previous year, and alumni attendance was weak. The school wanted to increase game attendance to boost ticket revenue, concession stand sales, and encourage alumni donations.
Product
Personalization
Calendar with highlighted home and away games printed on pop-out waves. Men’s schedule was printed on one side of the calendar, women’s schedule was printed on the other. The full schedule, including opponents and locations, were printed behind the pop-out wave calendars.
Method of Distribution
Every athlete was given one to take home to parents. Calendars were available at the ticket table and concession stands at every game. Calendars were also mailed out to alumni and local business owners with a letter from the coach, as well as notes from the team captains, thanking them for past support, and encouraging them to attend some games. There were calendars placed on tables in the cafeteria and library to inspire school pride.
Marketing Outcome
Game attendance went up by 33% for both the men’s and women’s teams. More students and alumni were present. Due to increased attendance, the program could make necessary investments, like better training equipment and new uniforms.
Objective: Unify University Re-branding
A university had just completed a major rebrand complete with a new logo and wanted to make sure they had all the necessary branded items for functions throughout the year. They had previously been using different pocket folders for various events and functions.
Product
#STANDARD-INK1 | Standard 1-Color Printed Pocket Folder, Style V1
Personalization
For the front cover, the school simply used their logo. The slogan and social media info was printed on the pockets.
Method of Distribution
Staff handed out these custom branded folders out to prospective students and their parents, alumni, faculty, and board members.
Marketing Outcome
Since the design was basic branding and folders are a supply item for the college, the university was able to buy their folders in bulk, saving money on an otherwise recurring expense. They unified their look for a consistent image across all departments.
Objective: Increase Alumni Engagement and Donor Support
A university wanted to increase alumni engagement and attendance at their Homecoming week events. They also wanted to increase donor support and raise funds for campus programs. By engaging alumni and past donors by inviting them to Homecoming week, the university hoped to increase donations by 15% over the previous year.
Product
8000-DP-57 | 5 x 7 Flat Printed Card
Personalization
University campus photo showing students on the grass studying with a red banner overlay designed with a simple university logo and Homecoming dates.
Method of Distribution
These custom cards were mailed to all alumni as invitations to the Homecoming week events, paired with a letter asking for a donation to support campus program development.
Marketing Outcome
The university saw an increase in RSVPs for Homecoming events and got a great response from donors. The alumni association saw an 18% increase in monetary gifts received in the month following the Homecoming celebrations, allowing them to give back to campus programs and support student clubs and organizations.