Introducing the Match and Market Program

The Match and Market Program bridges the gap between talented students passionate about social media marketing and small businesses in need of digital marketing assistance. This 10-week initiative provides businesses with customized social media strategies, weekly content creation, and improved online presence—all while offering students hands-on experience, professional growth, and a stipend. Through collaborative efforts and a focus on measurable results, the program fosters community engagement and small business growth.

How It Works:

The Match and Market Program begins with an application period from January 27 to March 7, 2025. During this time, students passionate about marketing can apply to assist qualifying small businesses with their social media needs. Selected participants will receive a weekly stipend and engage in structured activities aimed at enhancing the businesses' social media strategies.

Key Program Phases:

• Initial Meeting (March 28, 2025): Students meet assigned business owners
• Final Session (June 6, 2025): Carnival and closing ceremony
• Program Duration (March 31 - June 6, 2025): Students will work closely with businesses to implement tailored marketing strategies, culminating in a ceremony on June 6, 2025.

Main Goals of the Program:

• Increase in 10% followers on each social media platform (two platforms in total) for the assigned business.
• Ensuring that 50% of the businesses are able to create social media posts and share those posts on their respective social media platforms after 7 weeks into the program.

Main Deliverables of the Program:

• Creation of an online social media marketing plan for the assigned business
• Creation of a social media strategy for at least 2 digital platforms
• Creation of social media content every week i.e. create 2 social media posts per platform
• Creation of a user manual for online marketing that business owners can follow post program completion
• Creation of hashtags for the business and conduct competitive market research on how similar businesses perform on social media
• Improved overall online presence of the business

Are you a student? Click here

Are you a business owner? Click here