Looking to expand your society’s membership or make a lasting impression online? We’ve compiled our top tips to get you noticed, whether it’s boosting engagement on your social media profiles or advertising your society events.
Whenever you need advice or assistance in promoting anything, just reach out to our communications team at csumarketing@chester.ac.uk.
The Basics
Here are a few ways to advertise your society:
Instagram: Did you know that 97% of our students use social media, with 84% using Instagram daily?Create an account for your society on Instagram, and tag @chesterstudentsunion in your posts and stories – we will reshare as much as we can and get your society noticed among our followers.
CSU Newsletter – Society Spotlight: If you’d like to be featured in our CSU newsletter, Society Spotlight, please email studentopps@chester.ac.uk. This can be a general introduction to your society, an upcoming event, or you can share something that you’re particularly proud of!
Shout Out Newsletter: To be considered for inclusion in the University’s Shout Out newsletter, email studentopps@chester.ac.uk. Please do not contact Shout Out directly or tag them in your social content, as it will not be reshared. Please note that to be eligible for the Shout Out newsletter, your event must be open to all students.
Website: Always ensure your society’s description is up to date on the website, as this is usually the first place students will visit when interested in learning about your society! Double-check that your contact details are correct and that you have updated your meeting times, so students know how to get in touch with you and how often you meet. You can create your own society banner and membership ID passes. If you wish to modify your society description or need help with your page, please contact studentopps@chester.ac.uk.
WhatsApp/Discord: Is your society using social media channels like WhatsApp to chat/make announcements? Please be considerate of members joining online groups that their personal details (phone number, gender identity etc.) may be shared without them wanting to. To avoid this, we recommend using alternatives like Discord so that students feel safer. To verify students joining your groups, committees are expected to ask for only their student ID numbers.
Graphics
There are plenty of free online tools that can help you make graphics for social media or posters – one of our favourites to use is Canva.
Feel free to use CSU’s logo on your graphics to advertise your society or events, but ensure that your event has been approved by CSU before advertising it. When creating graphics, we kindly ask that you do not use the University logo, and instead use CSU’s.
You can download our logo below:
Other Channels
- Despite what you may believe, posters are still effective! Currently, societies can print posters at our office and leave them in the CSU building. However, always seek permission before placing them elsewhere across campus, and be mindful of wasteful printing.
- If you are an academic society, try reaching out to your lecturers as they might be able to support your society’s promotion by incorporating slides into their sessions.
Our Top Tips
- Remember, event tickets must be on sale via our website, so contact CSU first before you advertise your events!
- Don’t use offensive language or post about excessive drinking/smoking/illegal behaviours.
- Be consistent with your posting frequency. Instagram stories are great for quick updates; try to use them frequently.
- Avoid using graphics that are overloaded with too much text as they can be hard to read.
- Tag the officers and CSU in your posts so we can re-share them for you!
If you’d like any further advice on promoting your society, contact csumarketing@chester.ac.uk.