The best ways to recruit mentees for your program

Recruiting mentees for your program is a crucial aspect of mentoring. It's important to know the best ways to reach out to potential mentees and engage them. Here are some effective ways to recruit mentees for your programs:

1. Leverage social media platforms: Social media platforms like LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and others are excellent channels for recruiting mentees. You can create engaging content, share relevant articles, post eye-catching graphics, and create a community around your program. Encourage your followers to share your content with their networks, and ask them to tag potential mentees who might be interested in your program.

   
   

2. Partner with existing University services and programs: Partnering with existing university services, academics, programs, clubs and societies can be a great way to recruit mentees. You can reach out to student organisations, career centres, and academics in relevant fields and offer to speak to their students about your program. You can also attend career fairs and host information sessions on campus to attract potential mentees.

   
   

3. Attend University networking events: Attending university networking events can be a great way to meet potential mentees. Look for university events that are relevant to your program and attend them to meet people who might be interested in your mentorship program. Be sure to take marketing materials such as flyers with QR codes and other materials to hand out.

   
   

4. Create a rewards and recognition program: Rewards and recognition programs can be a great way to incentivise people to refer potential mentees to your program. Offer a small reward to anyone who refers a mentee who is accepted into the program, such as a coffee voucher. This can encourage people to spread the word about your program to their networks.

   
   

5. Reach out to previous mentees: If you have run a mentorship program in the past, reach out to previous mentees and ask them to refer their peers who might be interested in the program. You can also ask them to write testimonials or create a video of their experience to attract potential mentees.

   
   

6. Host an open house event: Hosting an open house can be a great way to attract potential mentees. Invite people to come to a nearby location and provide information about your program. You can also offer free food, refreshments and other incentives to encourage people to attend. Be sure to promote the open house two weeks out on social media and other channels to attract a large crowd.

   
   

7. Advertise on University job boards: Advertising your mentorship program on job boards can be an effective way to reach people who are actively seeking career development opportunities. 

   
   

8. Use email marketing: Email marketing can be a powerful tool for recruiting mentees. Send targeted emails to people who might be interested in your program, such as recent graduates, people in specific schools, or members of professional associations. Be sure to include a clear call to action and a link to your Vygo program. Check out example mentee recruitment emails here. 

   
   

9. Offer value-adding free resources: Offering free resources, webinars, workshops, and merchandise can be a great way to attract potential mentees. Create valuable content that provides insights and tips related to your program's focus area and share it on your website, social media, and other channels. Encourage people to sign up for your program to receive more resources and information.

   
   

10. Digital and physical assets: Cover your institution with digital and physical assets. On your assets, think about catchy and concise hooks with a clear call to action. Adding videos of well-known university students to TV screens has seen a massive conversion in the past. 

    
    

11. Understand important academic dates: The academic calendar will become your best friend with your program. The best times to promote your programs to support your students best are at welcome weeks/ orientation weeks, census dates (academic penalty dates), withdrawal dates (academic and financial penalty dates), and weeks leading into and on exams. 

    What kind of events or initiatives can you create that will support students during these times?