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College students love free stuff. It's the reason that a perfectly smart young man with killer SAT scores will sign up for an 18% interest rate credit card to get a free t-shirt. Free food, free shirts, free beer, stadium cups, free paper clips. It doesn't seem to matter.
Give something away and they'll come ("He's having a party. I hate him. But there's free beer, so I'll go for a little while.").
Free stuff is a big motivator for many college students who never seem to have enough money to make ends meet. College marketers love giving free crap to college students and students always take it.
So, how can you use this to your advantage in motivating students on your campus?
Sadly, most organizations can't hand out $20 bills to people as they come in the door to an event. But, if you're running a large event or a well-funded campus organization (like a programming board or a Greek Council at a large school), you might be able to budget for cash prizes for a big event. "One lucky ticket holder will win $500!!!"
For smaller groups, focus on the free stuff you can give away. A couple of suggestions...
Students enjoy door prizes, gift certificates, and coupons. Contact a local business and see if they have any giveaway t-shirts, cups, keychains, or other "promo junk" and give those away to the first 100 people who arrive for your event. Think pizza places, cell phone companies, electronics stores, clothing stores, Spring Break trip promotion companies, etc.
What about free movie tickets at the Student Center for the rest of the semester?
Go to the mall and ask at stores for 20% off coupons. They usually have them for preferred customers. You'd be surprised how many will give you free coupons like that just for the asking.
Reward people who do things right with discounts on dues. Sorority members who earn a 3.5 GPA or better in the Fall come to the Spring formal for free.
Using money and free stuff as a motivator is easier for larger groups than for smaller ones. But, with a little creativity and a few phone calls to local businesses, giveaways can add some excitement to any activity.
