How To Market Student Housing: 7 Tips for Success

You know that effectively marketing your on-campus housing is essential for attracting students and maximizing occupancy. The competition is fierce in the student housing market, and you have to stay up-to-date with the latest trends. You also need innovative marketing strategies to showcase your student accommodations and reach your target audience. 

Here are seven effective student housing marketing ideas to help you successfully market your student housing and create a thriving community on campus.

1. Target the Right Audience

You must first understand your target audience to market your student housing effectively. 

College students have unique needs and preferences regarding campus housing, so a generic marketing strategy won't work. You need to tailor your marketing approaches to students' specific wants and desires.

Start by gathering insights on your current residents and analyzing student housing data trends to understand what students seek in their accommodations.

Consider factors such as proximity to campus, affordability, amenities, and social opportunities when crafting your marketing messages. By understanding your target audience and addressing their pain points, you can create compelling marketing materials that resonate with prospective residents and encourage them to choose your student housing options.

2. Highlight the Student Lifestyle

Don't just focus your marketing campaigns on the number of amenities and price. Student housing isn't just a place to live but also a lifestyle choice for students.

So, showcase the vibrant student lifestyle that comes with living on campus. For example:

• Emphasize the convenience, social opportunities, and sense of community that your student housing provides. 

• Highlight community features such as study rooms, fitness centers, and a common kitchen where students can gather and connect with their peers.

Incorporate storytelling in your marketing materials to paint a picture of the student experience at your housing properties. Share stories of current residents who have found lifelong friends, excelled academically, and made unforgettable memories while living on campus. 

When you showcase the unique benefits of the student lifestyle in your community, you can attract prospective residents eager to immerse themselves in the college experience.

3. Showcase Convenience

Convenience is also a top priority for college students when it comes to housing, so showcase this in your marketing materials.

For example, you can highlight the proximity of your student accommodations to campus, as well as nearby amenities such as restaurants, shopping centers, and transportation links. 

Point out the time-saving benefits of living on campus, such as shorter commutes to classes and easy access to campus resources.

In addition to location, demonstrate the convenient features and services your student housing offers. This may include:

• Fully furnished units

• On-site laundry facilities

• High-speed internet

• 24/7 maintenance support

Highlighting the convenience and ease of living in your student housing can be a simple way to attract students who value a hassle-free living experience.

4. Develop Partnerships and Collaborations

Despite your best efforts, you can't operate in a vacuum. You need to develop strategic partnerships and collaborations to enhance your student housing marketing efforts. 

Reach out to other departments and organizations on campus, such as the admissions office and student clubs. Collaborate on events and marketing initiatives that can promote your student housing options to a wider audience.

You can also partner with local businesses and services that cater to college students, such as banks, restaurants, cafes, and transportation providers. 

However, collaboration involves more than just increasing your visibility among students. You can develop deep partnerships with these organizations to offer specific benefits to student residents. These could include student housing assistance, exclusive student discounts, and other perks. All this creates added value and fosters a sense of community beyond the walls of your student housing properties.

5. Leverage Student Testimonials

Student testimonials are another effective marketing tool. Prospective residents want to hear firsthand experiences from their peers to gauge the quality and atmosphere of student accommodation. Encourage current residents to share their positive experiences through testimonials, reviews, and social media posts.

Then, showcase these testimonials prominently on your website, social media channels, and marketing materials. Use a mix of written testimonials, photos, and videos to create engaging content that resonates with your target audience. 

Leveraging the authentic voices of your satisfied residents builds trust and credibility among prospective students and their families.

6. Leverage Social Media Marketing

Social media is now one of the most essential marketing channels for reaching and engaging with young college students. Focus on creating a strong presence on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter, where your target audience is most active. 

Use these channels to share engaging content, showcase your student housing properties, and interact with prospective and current residents.

Create a marketing plan and use a content calendar to outline the types of content you'll post on your social media pages. Include a mix of informative posts, visually appealing photos and videos, and interactive elements like polls and Q&A sessions. 

You can also curate user-generated content by running social media contests and campaigns incentivizing residents to share their experiences living in your student housing.

In addition, you can leverage social media advertising to target specific demographics, such as incoming freshmen or students from particular regions. Use retargeting techniques to reach students who have shown interest in your housing options, increasing your chances of converting them into residents.

7. Create Compelling Visual Content

Your messaging can be even more effective when you combine it with the right mix of visual content. Visual content can easily capture students' attention and help showcase the unique features of your student housing properties. 

Invest in high-quality photography and videography to create stunning visuals highlighting the best aspects of your accommodations and amenities.

For example, virtual tours and 360-degree videos allow prospective residents to explore your housing options from the comfort of their homes. These immersive experiences can be especially valuable for students who are unable to visit your campus in person due to distance or other constraints.

You can also use infographics to highlight key information about your student housing, such as floor plans, pricing, and availability. 

Presenting information in a visually appealing and easily digestible format can effectively capture the attention of your target audience and convey the value of your housing options.

Use Housing.Cloud to Market Exceptional Student Housing Experiences

Marketing your student housing business requires a strategic and multifaceted approach. In addition to the right strategies, you need powerful tools purpose-built for the student housing industry to get results.

That's where Housing.Cloud comes in. This platform helps streamline student housing operations and enhance marketing efforts. Our industry-leading student housing software platform empowers you to manage all aspects of the student housing process, from application intake to room assignments and beyond. With Housing.Cloud, you can provide a seamless experience for both students and staff, maximizing occupancy and improving profitability.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to revolutionize your student housing marketing and operations. Contact us today to learn how our innovative solutions can help you attract more students, simplify your housing processes, and create exceptional living experiences on campus.