Finding sponsors represents the second major challenge for event organizers.
Is that your situation? Then discover our 8 tips to easily find sponsors for your next big event!
1. Start with local businesses
Local businesses work hard to build a positive reputation and identity within their community. After all, it’s in their area that they will find customers and partners.
What better way to target the local market than to be an active sponsor of local events? Depending on the nature of your event, draw up a list of local players who will see it as a great opportunity to boost their visibility.
2. Present a professional, clean brand image
Sponsors will evaluate you by checking your website, customer reviews, and social media presence. The idea is to determine whether you are a reliable partner who aligns with their values.
Put yourself in their shoes: what information will they look for? What do they expect to find? If necessary, optimize your digital presence before approaching sponsors.
3. Focus on the key decision-makers
In the end, only a handful of people will make the final decision to sponsor your event. With that in mind, be sure to contact those decision-makers as early as possible.
Tools such as LinkedIn are useful for targeting these relevant players. It’s also an opportunity to reach out to them in a different way and establish a first-quality relationship.
The better you know your target, the easier it will be to find the arguments to persuade them to sponsor your event.
4. Give a reason to sponsor your event
Companies use their sponsorship as a marketing strategy. It’s clear they want to get something out of it. What can you offer a sponsor that is directly tied to their ongoing campaigns? It’s not just about attracting attention and increasing clicks to their website. Often, there are image and brand awareness.
Ideally, describe the audience your event is aimed at. Who is the target? What consumer profiles will be present?
You can also offer a “gift” in return, such as a VIP membership or access to private sales for the sponsor’s customers. Cross-promotions or exchanges of services are also strong arguments to persuade companies to sponsor your event.
5. Contact sponsors of similar events
Simple and effective: evaluate companies that already sponsor similar events.
These brands already understand the value of sponsorship, they have shown interest in this type of event and are therefore likely to invest in your project.
6. Ask your audience to suggest sponsors
While looking for organizations that share your target audience, why not ask your customers to suggest sponsors? They’ll feel valued because you’ll let them know their opinion matters.
Plus, this quick (and low-cost) market research reveals the interests and brands your audience likes. Perfect for getting essential data for your marketing campaigns!
Furthermore, if a company is frequently mentioned by your audience, that gives you an extra argument to convince them to sponsor your event.
7. Provide a data-rich sponsorship proposal
Sponsors will invest in your event. That means they expect a return on investment.
To convince them, you’ll need to provide hard data. Send them a presentation outlining the expected number of attendees, potential engagement generated on social networks, media coverage, etc.
Also consider sharing the click-through rate (CTR) for ads specific to the event.
If you have organized events before, highlight the number of attendees, the revenue generated, the visibility achieved, and anything else that could persuade the companies you contact.
8. Customize sponsorship offers
You should tailor your offer and negotiate with each sponsor based on their individual needs. Don’t settle for a one-size-fits-all approach or reuse the package from your previous event.
Find out what connects them to your organization and the returns that are likely to motivate them.
Conclusion
To find a sponsor for your event, start early! Prepare your data, tools, and pitches to convince decision-makers to sponsor you. Don’t hesitate to engage the community and use the “local” angle to make your sponsor search a real success.
Need help promoting your event? Freelancers are available on Codeur.com to support you in many areas!
And don’t forget to continue to keep your event alive after it’s over !
