Students are, by the very nature of their lifestyle, always busy. They can’t attend presentations as easily as someone who has a job  (there’s always more work to do when classes are done) and they have to also try to squeeze in some social life.

Social life you say?

Well then, that’s where you want to get them. Find venues/events where they hang out in groups and offer small incentives. Since they’re also broke, a beer or slice of pizza will go a long way. As they already chose to partake in said event, you don’t need to convince them to come for yours. Blend your pitch in their life. It’s usually hard for them to make time for another event, even if it is interesting. Since they already planned to go to this party and they’re more relaxed in that context, you stand a much higher chance that, if you make the pitch fun, they will pay attention.

You want to tell them about your new online product X? Give a free beer at a student social event for anyone who throws a dart at a target with the company’s logo and web address on it and gets at least Y points. They did not get enough points after three tries? Give them a free beer anyway. Do a treasure hunt event at the venue, or organize some fun games with pizza slices as prizes. Put the website on the plate or give away t-shirts to those that can play a small prank on someone else.

Make it fun. Go where they are, give a small gift and don’t push too much. Bottom line is that you should not ask them to make time for your event, as relevant as it may be. They’re already overbooked. You go to their events.