How to Promote Through Networking on Campus

My name is James and I am the Budapest Marathon challenge leader for Southampton Solent University this year. I also took on the UK Three Peaks challenge last academic year as a participant, so I’ve experienced both sides of the story when it comes to promoting the challenge as a leader and fundraising events as a participant!

I’ll kick this off by telling you to not make the recruitment process harder than it needs to be… there are so many great ways to get the word out about the challenge that you’re leading and most of them require help.

For me, my lecturers were a huge help as I am on a sports course, so I was surrounded by people in useful positions who would have loved to do the challenge themselves and were more than happy to get the word out to all courses under the sports faculty across all years. Another option here is to visit your university’s website and find the sports faculty page, where you should be able to find contact details for people who can help spread the news.

If this doesn’t apply to you don’t panic! Your university’s Student Union can work as a hub through which you can contact sports teams/societies who may be interested. Ask captains, managers, social secs, and whoever else you can get in contact with to put information in team group chats, repost Instagram stories and get people talking. Things like this are always easier with existing rapport, so don’t drive straight into sales mode – get to know the person you are asking a favour from before you try and close the deal (this applies to speaking with individuals who are not part of a society but may be interest in the challenge and those in a position to help you). Once you are on good terms with someone who can help you, a message in a lively group chat can work wonders, especially if the message comes from someone the rest of the team already knows and trusts!

Finally, and possibly the most important thing to remember – don’t assume you know who would be interested based on the societies or courses they are a part of. The Solent Budapest team this year is made up of people from several different departments, some of which have never done or even considered something like this before. University is a time to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way and you’d be surprised how many people take this very seriously - So make the most of it! Leave no stone unturned, good luck with your recruitment, and enjoy your challenge!

Good luck promoting!

Written by:

James Brimble, Southampton Solent, Budapest Challenge Leader, 2024/25