COTY Spring 2025

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NEXT LEVEL!

REPRESENT THE BEST IN SERVICE

Brothers of Sigma,

As collegiate chapters, you carry the torch of our proud legacy—one built on Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service. Now more than ever, it is vital that we represent these principles boldly and creatively on our campuses. Let us challenge ourselves to rise above the ordinary and become a visible force for positive change.

Harness the power of creative marketing to amplify your impact. Whether it’s through vibrant social media campaigns, innovative community events, or engaging collaborations with other student organizations, let your chapter’s presence speak volumes. Showcase our commitment to academic excellence by highlighting scholarly achievements and offering mentorship programs. Elevate our dedication to service by capturing your community outreach in powerful visuals and stories that inspire others to get involved.

Let your chapter be known not just by the letters you wear, but by the excellence you embody. Represent the best of Phi Beta Sigma through passion, purpose and

professionalism. Make your mark in a way that others can’t ignore – because when Sigma speaks, the campus should listen.

We are not just brothers—we are builders of a better tomorrow. So let’s be creative, stay driven, and show the world what true Sigma excellence looks like.

Culture for Service and, Service for Humanity.

We Are Who We’ve Been

Asking

For…

My Collegiate Brothers in Sigma,

As collegiate leaders of our esteemed Brotherhood, you are at the forefront of advancing the high ideas of Brotherhood, Scholarship and Service on your campuses. Now, more than ever, it is essential that we make our presence felt—not just in name, but in purpose. Our International Headquarters, regional leadership and branding team have developed a wealth of marketing resources to help you promote the mission and vision of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity effectively. These include branded graphics, recruitment materials and videos, and event templates—all designed to help your chapters tell its story with impact and consistency.

Don’t let these tools go unused. Leverage them to showcase our legacy of excellence, uplift community initiatives and attract like-minded individuals who embody the spirit of Sigma. Every flyer, post, and program is an opportunity to reinforce our brand and leave a lasting impression.

Take pride in representing Phi Beta Sigma. Be intentional, be visible, and be unified in the message you share. The work you do today sets the tone for the legacy you leave behind. Let’s continue to show the world that Phi Beta Sigma is more than just letters—it’s a movement of men committed to purpose.

GOMAB!

Ethan McLean

THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

1st PLACE

Beta Beta Lambda

University of The Bahamas Southern Region

Scrolling through today’s social media handles, it’s very apparent the level of promotions and marketing produced by collegiate chapters have reached professional-level production status. Some young creators are releasing content on par with marketing and advertising firms that produce multi-million-dollar campaigns.

To harness and showcase some of that energy, earlier this year the International Collegiate Affairs Council (ICAC) launched the Phi Beta Sigma 2025 Founders’ Day Flyest Collegiate Chapter Photo Competition. Over 50 chapters submitted entries, all reviewed by a team of industry expert judges, selected by ICAC.

Chpater

2nd PLACE

3rd

5th

PLACE

5th PLACE

4th

NOT LIKE US

We all know that you are putting in the work and causing some Good Trouble, but if nobody knows about it, are you really making the impact you could be? Nah, MAB. So, let’s break down some of the best ways to market your chapter.

First things first, what’s your style? Think of your chapter as a brand. You have to know what you’re selling. You’re selling more than just our fraternity; it’s a brotherhood committed to making a difference. So, what’s your chapter’s unique flavor? Are you the smartest on the yard? The leaders for service? The fellas with the killer strolls? Figure that out, and make it loud and clear in everything you do. This is what makes us unique, this is what makes us proud, and this is what connects us.

Who’s Your Tribe: Identifying Your Audiences

Think about it: you’re not trying to reach everyone on campus. You’ve got different groups with different interests and you need to speak their language. So, who are we talking about?

Potential Members: This is a big one. You want to attract dudes with your values and want to be part of the brotherhood. What are they looking for?

Maybe it’s community, leadership opportunities, or a solid group of brothers. Tailor your messaging to highlight your strengths and those benefits.

The Student Body: This is your main campus audience. You want them to know about your events, your service projects, and your presence. Show them that Sigma is a force for good on campus.

Faculty and Staff: Campus employees can be valuable allies. They can help you with events, provide resources, or even mentor your members. Show them your chapter’s commitment to scholarship and service.

The Local Community: If you’re involved in community outreach, you need to connect with local residents and organizations. Show them the impact you’re making and build strong relationships. Our national partnerships cover the collegiate level as well.

Alums: Don’t forget your old heads! They can provide valuable support, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Keep them in the loop and invite them to events.

Setting Your Sights: Defining Your Goals

Okay, so you know who you’re talking to. Now, what do you want to achieve? What’s the point of all this marketing? Let’s set some clear and measurable goals. This will keep us focused, determined, and on the right track.

Increase Membership: This is a classic goal. You want to attract quality members who will contribute to your chapter. Set specific, measurable goals, like increasing membership by a certain percentage.

Boost Event Attendance: You want your events to be packed! Set goals for attendance numbers and track your progress.

Raise Awareness of Your Chapter’s Activities:

You want people to know about all the good stuff you’re doing. Set goals for social media engagement, website traffic, and media coverage. Enhance Your Chapter’s Reputation: You want to be known as a positive and impactful organization. Set goals for positive feedback and community recognition.

Strengthen Community Relationships:

Community service is always a Sigma priority, set goals for building partnerships and increasing your impact.

Increase Alumni Engagement: If you want to get more alumni involved, set goals for alum event attendance and communication.

Get Social With Your Media

Let’s be real, if it ain’t on the ‘gram, did it even happen? Instagram is your visual playground. Post those event pics, those brotherhood moments, and those service project highlights. Make those stories count! Show off the real you, not just the posed pics. And don’t forget the hashtags!

#PhiBetaSigma

#PBS1914 #Brotherhood

#Scholarship #Service – you know the drill. Instagram is your key platform.

Quick announcements, event reminders, and engaging with other orgs? Perfect. Facebook’s still kicking, especially for those longer event details and photo dumps. It’s also a great way to connect with the parents of potential members. Don’t forget, they are the ones who finance new members. And TikTok? That’s where the creativity shines. Show off your steps, your community impact, and your brotherhood bonds. Get those trending sounds going!

Don’t sleep on a chapter website or even a simple blog! It’s your digital home base. Put up your history, your mission, your upcoming events, and contact info. Make it easy for people to find you

•Beta Gamma Chapter, Hampton University

Events: The Main Stage

Events are your chance to stand out, so make ‘em count! Flyers and posters? Make ‘em eyecatching! Ditch the boring text-heavy stuff. There are lots of templates available on Canva and Adobe Elements. Get those campus partnerships going, too! Co-hosting with other orgs means double the reach.

Word-of-mouth is still powerful, so get your members talking! Tabling in the student union is essential for a reason – get out there, smile, and answer questions. You will make lasting relationships face-to-face. And don’t forget to use those campus resources! Bulletin boards, student papers, online calendars – all free advertising!

Show You Care

Service is the foundation of what we do in Sigma, so show it off! Document those service projects, share those stories, and let people see the impact you’re making. Partner with local orgs, host community events, and get the media involved. A press release can go a long way in getting your good deeds noticed. The media loves a good story.

Numbers Don’t Lie

Don’t just throw stuff out there and hope it sticks. Track your social media analytics. See what posts get the most love. Get feedback from event attendees. Analyze your attendance numbers. And most importantly, stay up-to-date with the latest trends. Marketing is constantly changing, so you have to keep evolving too.

Keep it Real

At the end of the day, it’s about being your authentic you. Let your chapter’s personality shine through. Be consistent with your branding and messaging. And remember, collaboration is key. The stronger your partnerships, the wider your reach.

So, go out there and make some noise, brothers! Let the world know what your chapter is all about. Shine that light, and let your impact be felt!

Communications Manager Sentara Health
Beta Sigma Chapter
Brother Occasio Gee Occasio Gee
•Epsilon Chi Chapter, Illinois State University
Gee

NEXT LEVEL! PROPS TO RHO CHAPTER

The Crescent On the Yard and the IHQ Communications Team amplify much praise to the brothers for an creating outstanding promotional campaign.

This issue places front and center the topic of marketing Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity on academic campuses. A highly stylized marketing and promotion campaign has the powerful ability to attract the desired attention, awareness and participation for any event or program.

Recently, the Sigma Brothers of Rho Chapter at Southern University-Baton Rouge introduced their 2025-2026 Miss Phi Beta Sigma Scholarship Pageant and contestants in a very creative and attention-grabbing way. The chapter utilized the uncommon theme of a golf outing as the backdrop to the production. Usually unassociated with minority college students, the golf campaign is a fresh take on thinking outside the box.

The high-quality level of the photography combined with a great location and various position options, sends a strong message that the creative director secured a professional or talented photographer to deliver the perfect results. The conservative polos, khakis, argyle sweaters and pleated mini-skirts in combination shades of blue and white are a perfect representation for clothing and styling. This proves the entire campaign was carefully curated.

Other chapters who deserve honorable mentions for producing attention-grabbing imagery are the Beta Gamma Chapter at Hampton University and Pi Alpha Chapter at Georgia State University.

We encourage chapters to continue producing attentiongrabbing visual communications on par with today’s marketing industry. And be sure to send your stories, flyers and campaigns to: communications@phibetasigma1914. org. Tag our social media pages as well.

Recruitment Tips that Meet Success

The Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma has established itself as a model chapter within our fraternity. Over the past three years, we have successfully brought in 69 new members while maintaining a selective and intentional recruitment process. As a chapter at North Carolina A&T, an HBCU, we benefit from a larger pool of Black students interested in Divine Nine Greek life. However, the strategies we employ can be adapted to any chapter, regardless of location. We hope these tips help strengthen your recruitment efforts.

1. Encourage Brothers to Serve in Leadership Roles

We push our brothers to not only lead within the chapter but also take on leadership positions in student organizations across campus. Involvement in groups such as Student Government, the Office of Civic Leadership & Engagement, major-specific organizations, the National Society of Black Engineers, and similar groups increases the visibility of our chapter. This presence associates leadership with Sigma in the eyes of students and fosters natural interactions with potential recruits.

2. Attend Campus Events in Numbers

Having brothers attend campus events together while wearing paraphernalia is a great way to garner interest in your chapter. When students see Sigmas actively participating in university life—whether at homecoming events, basketball games, career fairs, or resume workshops—it reinforces our commitment to campus engagement. Showing up in unity helps create an image of brotherhood, school spirit, and leadership that draws people in.

3. Actively Recruit from Diverse Demographics

It’s easy to recruit from the same friend groups, majors, and social circles, but this can limit the chapter’s reach and potential. Great organizations thrive on diverse perspectives. Make an intentional effort to connect with high-caliber individuals from different majors, campus organizations, and backgrounds. This approach not only broadens your pool of potential members but also strengthens the overall quality and impact of your chapter.

4. Keep Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service at the Core

With social media and campus life, it’s easy to get caught up in the fun elements of Greek life that don’t necessarily reflect our true purpose. While stepping, strolling, and social events have their place, we must keep our core principles at the forefront—brotherhood, scholarship, and service. By maintaining high academic performance, securing internships, giving back to the community, and fostering a strong brotherly bond, you will naturally attract individuals who align with our values. Keep the main thing, the main thing.

I hope these strategies help strengthen your recruitment efforts. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about recruitment, reach out to your advising chapter, regional directors of collegiate affairs, or associate regional directors for guidance.

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