Colton Snepp
Fall 2024
Situational Analysis
In a college environment, social connections are important, and speed-dating events can help students meet new people in a fun, low-pressure setting. Research shows that many students make new friendships during their first year, for example, 64% of students at Ohio State University reported making at least one friend, while 20% made five or more (Ciccone, 2019). Additionally, 51.26% of college students at the University of Michigan have experienced long-term relationships since starting college (Snider, 2018). With rising mental health awareness, speed dating can be marketed as a way to combat loneliness and enhance student well-being, especially as over 60% of college students reported mental health issues during the 2020-2021 school year (Abrams, 2022).
The rise of dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge makes it challenging for traditional in-person events. Many students prefer the convenience of online dating, which could make it difficult to attract students to a speed-dating event. Nearly 50% of college students have used dating apps (Platt, 2023), and this comfort with digital communication can ruin face-to-face interactions, impacting conversation quality. Additionally, 29% of students prefer to communicate on the phone rather in person (Simeon, 2024).
Our competitor is Tinder, launching on college campuses in 2012, it's the most popular app for meeting new people. It offers a user-friendly platform for casual dating, friendships, or serious relationships through its swipe feature. Among college students, they are widely recognized, large user base so students have a better chance getting a match, accessible anytime, and their simple interface attracts new users. But, they focus more on quick judgements based on photos, safety and harassment issues may happen to users, and decision fatigue from too many matches can wreck meaningful connections.
Strengths
•Participants can meet many potential partners in a short period.
•Provides a clear format so it’s less awkward compared to traditional dating.
•Easy to promote through campus organizations, social media, and flyers.
•Encourages social skills and talk in a fun environment.
Weaknesses
•Short conversations may not allow for deep connections.
•Participants might feel rushed or anxious.
•The conversations might focus more on basic interests rather than deeper similarities.
•Speed dating might be viewed as a joke compared to traditional dating.
Opportunities
•Host themed speed dating nights to attract similar groups and create deeper connections.
•Partner with student organizations to draw members and increase engagement.
•Use post event surveys to gather insights for future events and improve the experience.
•Get fraternities and sororities involved with the event.
Threats
•Popular dating apps may take over traditional events.
•Some students might feel too shy or intimidated to participate.
•Students might be overwhelmed by too many social events, leading to a low turnout.
•Not enough people being on campus to see our advertisement.
SWOT
Here you'll find a four-cell chart containing internal and external factors related to the selected health care organization.
Mental Health Awareness
Growing mental health concerns among college students have increased demand for social events that resist loneliness. Speed-Dating could be marketed as a way to improve student well-being by offering structured opportunities for in-person social interactions, which can help lower isolation and create new friendships or relationships.
Mental Health Awareness
Rise of Digital Dating
Rise of Digital Dating
The widespread use of dating apps like Tinder has reshaped how people meet, with nearly 50% of college students using them. While convenient, these apps promote outside connections, leading to decision fatigue and decreased face-to-face social skills. Speed-dating can be positioned as an alternative that encourages meaningful, real-time conversations in a more personal setting.
Competitive Analysis
Tinder offers a quick, convenient way to meet people through swiping, but focuses on outside interactions and can lead to decision fatigue. Tinder also has a global user base, offering access to many potential matches anytime, ideal for casual interactions. The connection prioritizes speed and physical attraction, often at the cost of meaningful conversation. Though it has safety features, the app's anonymity can lead to harassment concerns.
Speed-Dating focuses on in-person, structured conversations, creating deeper connections, though less convenient than digital platforms. But it's more localized and event-specific, attracting students looking for genuine, in-person connections within their community. Speed-dating emphasizes quality interactions, providing students with a chance to engage in real-time, face-to-face conversations. It also offers a safer, monitored environment with in-person interactions, lowering the risk of harassment and ensuring a more respectful experience.
While Tinder and similar apps have transformed dating for college students, offering unmatched convenience and a pool of potential matches, speed-dating events provide a valuable alternative for students seeking more authentic, personal connections. Speed-dating offers students the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations without the lack of serious thoughts often found in dating apps, and it provides a safer, more structured environment that can benefit mental health by lowering loneliness and isolation. The challenge for speed-dating organizers will be to effectively market these events to students accustomed to the convenience of dating apps, emphasizing the benefits of real-life connections and the value of face-to-face interaction.