Launching An Effective Campus Ambassador Program

in Influencer Marketing

Campus Ambassador Programs are a popular way for brands to establish themselves on a university campus. Building an effective campus ambassador program requires proper organization to ensure that your efforts are well channeled, that your qualified reps are all on board and referrals are done properly.

Below are some tips you need to ensure your campus ambassador program is a success

#1You need to target the right college campuses

The first step is picking the right University for your brand. Doing this ensures you have a solid foundation to build on as you expand your program to other college campuses. A good place to start looking for data is by using an Applicant tracking system (ATS), such as Sideqik’s Advocate Module. This will help you know where the majority of campus ambassador position applicants are coming from. By identifying which university your brand resonates the most with, you will have a much easier time getting your campus ambassador program off the ground.

#2 Pinpoint your targeted audience

The next step is to determine the caliber of university students you want in your program. Their extra-curricular activities, such as clubs and programs, as well as academic performance are very good indicators of the quality of prospective students you will be recruiting. As a recruiter for a campus ambassador program you want model students representing your brand.

#3 Look for the right ambassador

A campus ambassador acts like a “poster child” for your brand within their campus community. If you can, use student interns that once worked in your company as student ambassador. The time spent with your company will help them better understand your company’s values and culture, allowing them to properly represent your company. They will be more persuasive and be able to better recruit future campus ambassadors for your brand because of their experience.

If your company hasn’t been doing graduate hiring, you will need to start from the basics by looking for the best talents in college students

#4 Build a solid presence in your selected campus

A good number of universities allow company recruiters to advertise positions during campus events such as career fairs or interview sessions. While building your on-campus brand, it is crucial to do more than required (doing more than what other companies are doing). Organizing student competitions and publishing student job openings in campus publications and newspapers are also good ways to build a presence on a campus.

#5 Use social media marketing to your advantage

Having a referral system for your campus ambassador positions is a great way to incentivize both past and future ambassadors to be a part of your campus ambassador program as well. This helps you know your campus ambassadors’ social lives much better and build a specific culture around your campus ambassador program. Referrals from Student Union leaders, graduate assistants and a student ambassador program are all good ways to build a reputation on college campuses and keep the chain going.

#6 Stop at nothing in providing necessary training’s

After selecting your ambassadors, you will need to bring them to your office and start their training. You can first start by training your ambassadors around the specific tasks which will not only help them provide value for your company, but also help them to get know your brand better. Then move one to whichever specific goals that would be most beneficial to them in the future. Making a good impression on your ambassadors at this stage means not only creating a valuable employee, but also building a better public image of your brand.

#7 Reward as much as possible

Most companies fall for the trap of thinking training and follow ups are enough for a successful Campus Ambassador program. There has to be rewards like swag giveaways for your CA program to work. One example is that the ambassador with the highest application wins an iPad or an invitation to an event or conference. Doing so motivates them to do more and is an easy way to incentivize your campus ambassadors to stay involved.

#8 Take feed back seriously

It would be a bad investment for you to spend time and money training your ambassadors and then let them off without feedback. Staying in contact with past ambassadors helps you know the little challenges they may be encountering and make adjustments to future training to work around that. There has to be strong relationship between your managers and your campus ambassadors, as it ensures the success of the program and any future ambassadors you will be recruiting.

There are a lot of ways in which a well-planned and organized campus ambassador program can benefit your company. From easily recruiting future talent to establishing brand presence on a university campus, having a well developed campus ambassador program will always be beneficial for your brand.