How can you find sponsors for your event?

Keep in mind while planning, timing is crucial. 1. Each company/industry has a spend cycle. 2. Each company has their own approval process and need sufficient time to evaluate a proposal. 3. External environment (e.g. regulatory, climate etc) can get really critical.

Sponsors for my events are a crucial piece in bring community care together. You always need to give companies a choice to participate -yes or no but they know then they are an integral of community events and they are important

You need to have a clearly defined understanding of the event in order to align potential sponsors. The need to provide them with a "Reason to be there" is critical. Create the need but in order to do this you have to understand the link between event and client

Think outside the box - perhaps you can swap sponsorships for each other's events. Increased exposure for both with less money outlay.

Before approaching potential sponsors ensure that you have a detailed outline of your event, sponsorship levels, and the expected exposure for the sponsors. When searching for sponsors I typically go to individuals that I’ve worked with before or that I feel would benefit the most from the event. It’s important to take into account whether or not the event’s goals align with the potential sponsors business goals. Lastly, don’t be afraid to be told no. Being told no is the worst thing that can happen. Approach potential sponsors with respect and a smile.

Start local and be creative. There are probably many local businesses in your area that would love an opportunity to promote themselves to a wider audience. Be creative: dont overthink the "being in alignment" thing, instead think about what type of business could genuinely benefit from increased visibility at your event. If your event is about reading maybe this is a bookstore, or maybe its the restaurant across the street from where your event is taking place. Be open minded and put yourself in the shoes of the sponsor to visualize the real benefit to their business.

My view is always go local, always go sympathetic to your cause, and don't aim too high, to get through to the decision makers in really large corporate organisations takes too long and they are often too impersonal

I have three high-level classifications of sponsors. Some organizations will support everything, so you never want to miss those. And then there are organizations with a specific interest in whatever the event is. And then there are organizations with no specific interest that you just have to accept are longshots. Always start with picking the low-hanging fruit.

Start with the basics and expand outward. Review, previous years’ sponsors, analyzing monies spent, benefits given, and identify legacy sponsors. Think about what and how to upgrade in the new sponsorship packages. Look for vertically- related sponsors, and ask current sponsors for referrals and connections of who in their network might become a new sponsor. Always lead with creating relationship first - almost like dating. Get to know each other, find out their needs, and see if there’s a fit. Think partnership. Once the potential partnet feels and believes that there’s some thing in it for them, and their organization, they will commit and sign on the dotted line!

Identify the interests of your donors. Be specific. Outline the benefits your donor will receive before presenting your opportunity.

I have been an in kind sponsor for many years. We can do more than just apply financial support. Remember that all sponsorships can be negotiated. When your sponsoring association events, the levels are often defined to support them rather than you. Do not be afraid to ask for what you deserve. It’s worth it in the end. fYI make sure you add before, during and after the event for all marketing and exposure. Pick your best opportunities.

Always remember, someone would want to sponsor your event only when it has matched with their brand purpose & strategic ambitions. The same pitch or proposal may not work for every company.

Think creatively! Brands are in search of sponsorships that will engage their audience, and that means going beyond some logos and signage around your event. Bonus - creating a sponsorship that enhances your attendee experience is a benefit to both you and your sponsor!

Remember! Especially when you are working for an NGO your sponsors would expect that they gain prestige by supporting you. You should amplify the crucial role they play in this event and how important your work is, so they would like to be in it for real. You make them want to contribute, give them essential tasks and make them feel they are part of the big picture.

If you are looking for sponsors for your event - think about adding some VIP tickets/experiences to the package for the company to use as either rewards for staff or to entertain clients (especially if it is a fun/leisure event eg a play, a concert, a sporting event).

To pitch sponsors it helps to have proof of past sponsors. The goal of your first sponsors is not necessarily profit, it's to get them on board as social proof. Consider being creative and flexible. Offer a swap. Price it low. Be generous. Not only will the sponsor remember you more for this, but other competitors will see the sponsor efforts (have FOMO) which will make it an easier sell.

Always start from the premise that you and your potential sponsors have a lot in common. You are both professional entities who operate on the active market, and both have much to gain from coming together for the event they are invited to be a part of. Your event offers them a venue to express their business message in more detail, gives them exposure that will generate business and helps them build an image of success and reliability that they need in order to stand out in their industry. Definitely research the companies you reach out to, and make sure that you address the right people. There are now many CRM platforms available on the market that enable you to pinpoint not only the right business segment but also the right contacts.

it is important to include in this process the customer of the event, his network is fundamental!! Sponsorship an event may be interesting for companies very far from the theme of the event (es. insurance in medical congresses)...look everywhere!

If your pitching a local business, do this in person. Go to a restaurant and eat dinner. Tell your waitstaff how much you love the food. Ask to speak to the manager/owner. Share your genuine appreciation. Mention you are going to be hosting an event and would love their participation, ask if they would be open to discussing it. Then get their contact info and reach out via phone/email. You can adjust this approach for different categories of businesses, but the important thing is genuine face to face interaction whenever possible

Understanding your target sponsors' key business is important, and knowing how sponsoring your event may impact their ROI will strengthen your pitch. Keep in mind, you may not be answer that question with a dollar amount, however, there is more than one way to measure the impact sponsorship may have on their ROI. Will sponsoring your event help them reach a new target market thus driving new business to them?

This is the part you want to get in writing. The format can be as simple as My organization is offering: Your organization is offering: Date/time/location

the sponsor often has already a established budget for the event, but yo give the most visibility to your sponsors, they may agree to increase the budget for that specific event

Think outside the box. How would your potential sponsor see the highest ROI? Be willing to adjust the original sponsorship plan to meet both your needs. Then when the deal is closed, follow up ASAP with deliverable deadlines and expectations. Do they need to be introduced to other members of your team? Make sure to continue the level of service and consideration after the contract is signed - your 'sponsorship experience' is more than just the event date. (Sponsorship renewals are often the lowest-hanging fruit - bring them back next year with a great CX.)

Sometimes it is even possible to collaborate future intiatives. Your current proposal might not be what your target organization was looking for. But they might always see potential for future intiatives if you manage to leave the right impression and follow up on the relationship.

Treat your contacts as your family, within reason. Stay in touch with them leading up to the event sharing key details in planning. Post event, share metrics and goals your event has achieved. Keep in touch with the contact throughout the year through check-ins so your name isn't associated with always asking for business. Treat your sponsors as people, and not just a purse!

Something we've seen repeatedly is that sponsors want much more than just their logo on a banner. They want to be able to showcase their expertise to potential clients and, basically, build their pipe. This is how we go about it: we allow sponsors to meet with attendees for knowledge-sharing conversations during the event, based on attendees' burning questions or challenges. Nothing is more powerful for a sponsor (or an attendee, for that matter) than building strong relationships during the event, instead of gathering business cards with the intention of potentially establishing strong connections post-event.

Create a Compelling Event Proposal: Develop a professional and persuasive event proposal that outlines the benefits of sponsoring your event. Highlight the exposure and value sponsors will gain, such as brand visibility, access to a specific market, or networking opportunities.

As a burlesque producer with the ambition of starting a new Burlesque Festival in 2025, my focus is on what brands are we as a community already using? Thistle & Spire lingerie? Adore Me underwear? Are there brands that are inclusive of disabled, LGBTQ+, etc? Size inclusive? Have a clear goal, strategy, and mission when you present your proposal. Know what benefits the sponsor will get from the deal. Get out there and crush it!