The student housing market presents particular challenges and opportunities. And with the 2016 NMHC Student Housing Conference and Exposition underway, as well as a new school year, we thought it would be an opportune time to discuss it.
To learn what students are looking for, where to reach them, and how we can better compete for their business, check out the highlights from our latest #AptChat. (Click on the links to jump straight to a specific question.)
- Q1: What are today’s students looking for in housing? How are we meeting those demands?
- Q2: How can we better compete with on-campus and university housing?
- Q3: Which social platforms are you seeing the most engagement from students on? How are you using that platform to market to them?
- Q4: Mobile marketing is vital in student housing. What should marketing plans include in order to cater to this?
What are today’s students looking for in housing? How are we meeting those demands?
@AptChat Connectivity. They want digital connections, they need human connections. #aptchat
— Stephanie Oehler (@StephanieOehler) September 27, 2016
@AptChat Both. Many are balancing school & work so time is precious. And digital connections are faster. #aptchat
— Stephanie Oehler (@StephanieOehler) September 27, 2016
@AptChat Walkability to campus. Reliable Wifi. Fitness amenities. The occasional community kegger(for the 21+ students, of course). #Aptchat
— Respage (@Respage) September 27, 2016
@Respage @AptChat I see a lot of reviews that complain about wi-fi issues – big opportunity for any comm. that gets this “right”. #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) September 27, 2016
@Marketing_Mommy @AptChat The first comm. that discovers how to reflect wifi signals off empty beer cans WINS! #AptChat
— Respage (@Respage) September 27, 2016
@AptChat Fast internet and a convenient location, tops. Q1 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) September 27, 2016
Students want service. Parents want access & want to be kept informed. Package delivery to units, food service, maid service #aptchat
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) September 27, 2016
@MsMin So true, parents’ newsletter even if quarterly would be helpful. #aptchat
— Lia Nichole Smith (@SatisFactsLia) September 27, 2016
I feel like building community can be really important. That’s what gets me to stay and renew #aptchat
— Jade Smith (@jdesmth) September 27, 2016
@AptChat Community mixers and seasonal events help! My apt had watch parties. Give people opportunities to get to know other residents.
— Jade Smith (@jdesmth) September 27, 2016
@AptChat @jdesmth Sharing a goal with the university, like Relay for Life helps build community. Sponsoring their student activity #AptChat
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) September 27, 2016
How can we better compete with on-campus and university housing?
INTERNET, LOCATION KEY FOR STUDENT HOUSING https://t.co/HC91EUegSO #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) September 27, 2016
@AptChat Price it right! We put together cost comparison – cheaper to live off campus!! #AptChat
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) September 27, 2016
@AptChat Send it to the alumni association, give sheet out @ Housing Fairs, SM & website, email it to all contacts & residents #AptChat
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) September 27, 2016
@AptChat No frats, sororities here in this area. We market to Law School/MBA/Grad programs, too, Med School #AptChat
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) September 27, 2016
@MsMin @AptChat Do you find you have to change your approach with grad vs. undergrad (diff wants/needs)? #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) September 27, 2016
@Marketing_Mommy @AptChat Yes! Usually they tend to separate by property & live where friends are. Makes it easy for us! #AptChat
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) September 27, 2016
@AptChat Adopt the best from dorm life & improve on it’s short comings. Free WiFi, quality, space, a la carte decor to personalize #aptchat
— Lia Nichole Smith (@SatisFactsLia) September 27, 2016
@SatisFactsLia @AptChat That’s a great perspective to write a #studenthousing mktg plan from! #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) September 27, 2016
Which social platforms are you seeing the most engagement from students on? How are you using that platform to market to them?
@AptChat https://t.co/d2Orh3vttj #aptchat
— Lia Nichole Smith (@SatisFactsLia) September 27, 2016
@AptChat I would have to think Instagram and Snapchat are pretty big spaces where student properties should be playing. #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) September 27, 2016
@Marketing_Mommy @AptChat Seconding Instagram. Definitely a space #multfiamily marketers should be. But we can’t discount Facebook either.
— Respage (@Respage) September 27, 2016
@Marketing_Mommy @AptChat Yik Yak is getting some love too from the student sect. #aptchat
— Lia Nichole Smith (@SatisFactsLia) September 27, 2016
@SatisFactsLia @AptChat Also wondering about Tinder? Should #multifamily marketers be playing in that space? #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) September 27, 2016
@Marketing_Mommy @AptChat Not sure if I would take a Tinder community seriously, mom and dad probably won’t! #aptchat
— Lia Nichole Smith (@SatisFactsLia) September 27, 2016
Mobile marketing is vital in student housing. What should marketing plans include in order to cater to this?
@AptChat Live chat option would be great, tons of pics, reviews & examples of community involvement (give back) #aptchat
— Lia Nichole Smith (@SatisFactsLia) September 27, 2016
Our next #AptChat is slated for Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 12 pm Eastern. In the meantime, be sure to sign up for #AptChat updates to get these recaps and more delivered straight to your inbox!
