If your annual college fair is coming around, you probably have a lot to do. You might have the essentials like vendors and dates finalized, but that’s not where the story ends. You’ll be busy with planning and logistics till the event wraps up. So, you’ll be busy even after the college fair ends.
In all this, do not forget one important aspect of any college fair; the promotion and marketing. Even if you’re a selective college with a prestigious reputation, you need to market your fair. This will help you attract as many potential students, along with their parents. For lesser-known colleges, this is even more important. You want to get as many attendees as possible so that people see your institution as a good option for their higher education. Here are a few tips to help you get the word out about your college fair.
1. Put up posters
Posters and flyers are still great ways to promote your events. Design a college fair poster and a flyer on PosterMyWall, and then print some copies out. Make sure this marketing collateral has all the relevant details. These include dates, locations, timings, and any registration requirements.
Put these posters up in your area and near high schools. Also, place them in local businesses students and parents tend to frequent. This will help you reach your target audience in an eye-catching manner. Distribute your flyers with the same mindset, and you’re sure to attract people.
2. Set up registration desks

While we’re still on classic marketing methods, registration desks are a great way to get people to sign up for your college fair. Talk to local high schools and set up desks there for seniors. This way, they can also talk to a representative, and take the first step towards your college.
Train the representative to answer a few common questions about your college and encourage people to come to the college fair. Have them take contact details like email addresses so that you can use them for later marketing campaigns as well.
3. Utilize social media
Social media is a necessary part of your marketing toolkit. Use it to capture the interest of as many people as possible. These days, it is one of those mediums which gets you the widest possible reach. Focus on platforms with younger audiences, like TikTok and Instagram.
Put up posts about your upcoming college fair, and share what will be happening there. Also talk about the programs you offer, and which companies have hired your graduates. This sort of information will help you attract more people to your event. Make sure you start posting on social media around two months before the fair so that people can get their planning sorted out.
4. Send out an email blast

Email blasts are a classic, yet impactful way to inform people about your annual college fair. Design an email blast that has a schedule, a sign-up link, and some information about your college.
In addition, write a personalized message in the text section on the top to improve the response. As for subject lines, put them through a subject line scorer so that you get high open rates. This will help you get more registrations for your event.
5. Share your program details
The point of a college fair is to get potential students to visit you and see if you’re a good match for them. So, you should highlight your various departments and make social media posts and videos about them.
Highlight interesting courses you offer, and make sure you put the spotlight on your key professors. This will help potential students see whether your programs work for them. Then, they are more likely to come show up, prepared with questions and applications.
6. Make engaging videos

Video marketing is the top performer these days when it comes to engagement. So, make a teaser video for your college fair, to start with. Then, share videos about the various programs your college has and what sort of extracurriculars and campus life students can expect.
Have popular instructors and alumni make videos as well to urge people to come to your event. They can talk about what the college offers, and how it enriched their lives and careers. Share these videos on your social media platforms and in your email blasts.
7. Use influencer marketing
Influencer marketing is a great way to capture a younger audience. With college fairs, you are targeting high school seniors and juniors. So, you should enlist influencers in your area to talk about your college. Go for people who are applying to colleges themselves, and have them announce they’re interested in your programs as well.
Of course, you need to do some research for this strategy. Look at the programs you have on offer, and then find relevant influencers. For example, if you have a fashion design program, then you’ll enlist popular fashion influencers, and so on.
In conclusion
There are many ways to promote your annual college fair. They just require a bit of planning and effort. Once you’re all set, then you’re sure to get high footfall at your event.