When to Hire and How to Collaborate with Students to Market Your Business
As a Canadian small business owner, you want to accomplish your marketing goals cost-effectively.
Hiring students can provide access to fresh talent at a lower cost. In Canada, co-op placements or internships often come with subsidized wages through government programs like the Canada Summer Jobs program.
Hiring students to assist with your marketing efforts can be a smart move, but it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons before diving in. Below are three key factors to consider and some tips for collaborating effectively with students.
When it makes sense to hire students
Short-term needs: You need help with time-limited marketing projects such as creating social media posts, designing a flyer, or writing blog posts for your website.
Fresh ideas: You want fresh ideas to reach customers and to appeal to a younger audience.
Margin for learning: There is margin for learning in projects assigned to students, and the output won’t negatively affect the core of your business.
It’s best if you or one of your staff have the time and marketing expertise to guide a student. Throwing a student in the deep end of your marketing without guidance is unkind and unlikely to produce results.
By mentoring students, you can shape their abilities to suit your business's needs while fostering the next generation of professionals. If the students' values and interests align with your company, they could become staff members down the road.
How to collaborate effectively with students
Realistic expectations: Set realistic expectations for project deliverables aligned with their education, experience, and strengths.
Time for experimentation: Give them space to put their theoretical knowledge into practice as they experiment with what works for your business.
Track results: Track results together and give students constructive feedback so they learn what you want and need.
It’s also important to set students up for success by explaining the big picture of your business and how their projects will contribute to your goals. You must acquaint students with your products, services, and ideal clients and train them to use your marketing platforms.
Hiring students to help market your small business is a cost-effective choice. Co-op placements and internships can be mutually beneficial as long as you have the time and expertise to guide students.
Need more expertise than a student can provide? Hire an experienced Canadian freelancer to help with marketing, communication, or administration. BOOK A FREE CONSULT