Marketing!

Marketing is a fundamental part of SI Sessions: if students don't know about your sessions, they won't be able to attend! Students tend to set their schedule and study habits early in the semester, so it is important that SI Leaders promote sessions in the first weeks of the semester. As the semester progresses, and as students get more familiar with the course expectations, SILs should market their sessions as a resource to help students finish their semester successfuly!

When should I give my speech

In-person/Synchronous Classes:

• • Ask the professor to set aside 3 minutes on the first day of class for you to give your speech

Online DIL Classes:

• • Make a video of you saying your speech and post it to the course Blackboard! 

During the Semester

SI Leaders should regularly market their SI Sessions during the semester to encourage student attendance. Here are some ideas for how you can promote your sessions to your students:

• Make sure students know what/who you are! Speak up or help out during class!

• • Making handouts/bookmarks/fliers/stickers (examples below -- send to SI Admin team to print out for you!)

  • Write your scheduled session times on the whiteboard in class, or post a message to the meeting chat

  • Send emails with your session agenda, share weekly announcements, etc to ensure students know what is happening in your sessions and when the sessions are 

  • Sit in different chairs throughout the classroom to get to know different students!

  • Promote test reviews in sessions leading up to a test

  • Offer exclusive content: old tests, questions/activities worked on with professor

  • Leverage your cohort group chat for ideas!

  • You can get another student who finds value in the program to do a shout out!

  • Consider having someone from the mentor/admin team come and talk up the SI program

  • Your professor can be your biggest advocate--ask your professor to give a brief speech on the benefits of SI! It's different when students hear from the professor rather than other students.

Marketing Email Example:

Hello Pharm Students,

Thank you to everyone who filled out the survey I sent out! Based on the results of that survey we will meet on:

• Monday Evenings (7:00 - 8:30pm), and...

• Thursday Evenings (7:00 - 8:30pm)

These sessions will be geared toward helping you work through this challenging course. The more committed you are to attending, the better the results you will see. I hope you will all be able to make it! 

Here is the link that you will use to attend our virtual session:

Topic: XXX S.I. Meeting (Zoom)

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4086127098

Meeting ID: 408 612 7098

What to expect:

• Meet your virtual classmates

• Collaborative work

• Facilitated study session

• Please have your cameras on as we work together

• Get ready to pass this class with flying colors!

I look forward to seeing you all for our first session next Monday evening, 9/26.

XXX

What if I have low attendance?

Even if you regularly market your sessions, No-Shows happen! Here are some ideas for how to address low session attendance:

• • Brainstorm with professor on how to get attendance (i.e. professor promotion, extra credit, etc)

  • Re-survey your students to create a different session schedule

  • If you have no attendance for two pay periods, make sure to reach out to your mentor to discuss how to get more attendance!