Sponsorship

The best way to get sponsorship is to ask!!

However there are some tips to make it more likely the answer will be yes.

Here's what I can do for you..

Firstly do your homework. Think about things from the sponsor's point of view, i.e. what are you offering them? Exposure and prestige are the two most common things you can provide.

Try to find a link to the sponsors business, i.e. is the target market of your programme similar to their customers? This may be at a functional level such as a cookery class sponsored by a supermarket, or the link may be at an emotional level such as an art awards sponsored by a real estate agent (here the link is based on prestige and links to the community).

But wait, there's more.

Before you approach or meet with a potential sponsor put together a package of offerings, this may include:

• Where their logo will appear, e.g. on flyers, posters, at exhibitions, on a stage or programme, in newsletters, on t-shirts;
• Where details of their sponsorship will be announced, .e.g. at an event, in a press release, in thankyou notices or letters to the editor.
• Pictures for them to use in their advertising or to hang in their place of work
• Free tickets or discounts for staff.

Buy one - get the second one free!

Some sponsors will offer in-kind sponsorship, where they will provide a service or product free of charge or at a discounted rate, e.g. place one ad and get a second one free. You will still need to show how this will benefit the sponsor.

Clinching the deal

You may need to supply the potential sponsor with your bank account details and an invoice if your are GST registered. If possible have these to hand so you can wrap up the sponsorship at the one meeting making it easy for the sponsor. If they are not keen to commit immediately, leave graciously and make a follow up call in a day or two. Ask if there is any further information you could provide to assist them.

Lets do that again sometime!

Remember to thank the sponsor to ensure their goodwill and continued support in the future. This may be done in a number of ways, including:

• A written thankyou letter
• Sending them a printed t-shirt (if part of your event)
• Provision of photos for use in promotion or so that they can see how their brand was exposed
• Details of their brand exposure, e.g. numbers attending event.
• Writing letters to the editor thanking your sponsors.
• Acknowledgement on any printed/ written material