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These top strategies help build partnerships and keep event sponsors happy. Level up your event sponsorship game with compelling sponsorship packages.
Do you reach out to sponsors to help increase your event budget? If not, you are missing out.
Event sponsors provide extra support and resources needed to bring an event to life. They don’t just contribute to the overall budget — event sponsors can also offer other values like promotional support, expertise, event resources, and networking opportunities. The right sponsors can also help increase the credibility and reputation of the event, helping attract a larger audience.
In return for their support, sponsors should benefit from increased brand exposure, new lead acquisitions, and a chance to align themselves with the values or mission of the event.
For event planners, securing event sponsorship and maintaining positive relationships with donors can be a challenging but rewarding part of the job. Keep reading to learn how to get sponsors for an event and build lasting partnerships for future event needs.
It’s important to understand your sponsors’ common pain points before creating a strategy for attracting them. Address these pain points to attract top donors and maintain successful sponsor relationships.
Poor communication: One of the most common frustrations for sponsors is when communication is lacking, conflicting, or confusing. This pain point could include poor follow-ups, unreturned phone calls, ghosting emails, and unclear instructions.
Inadequate recognition: Sponsors are looking for meaningful ways to promote their organization at events. While helping out a friend or supporting a good cause might pique their interest, they need more than just a heartfelt thank you or warm and fuzzy feelings. A lack of visibility or recognition makes it difficult for sponsors to justify the cost of their investment.
Measurable ROI: Sponsors may feel that they are not getting enough value from their investment if they can’t measure the outcome for their stakeholders. Low turnout or a lack of exposure to the right audience are examples of how a sponsor may not get the return on investment (ROI) that was expected.
Logistics issues: You don’t want to waste a sponsor’s time. Challenges with event logistics can make it hard for your sponsors to feel prepared or efficient. These issues could include a lack of access to facilities, inadequate accommodations, poor placement, or limited branding opportunities.
The initial pitch is a crucial part of attracting event sponsors. How can you get the right people on board with your vision? A well-crafted and personalized pitch can be the difference between securing a valuable sponsorship and being turned down.
Keep the focus on the audience’s benefit, not the goals or needs of your organization. When pitching an event sponsorship to a company leader, business owner, or individual, ask yourself, “Why should they care? What do they get out of this?”
Do your research and find out what their goals and priorities are so you can tailor your pitch accordingly. It’s important to focus on the benefits a sponsorship will bring to their organization or personal brand.
Start by explaining the purpose and audience of the event, and how it aligns with their brand and target market. Provide information on the event’s reach and engagement, and offer opportunities for exposure and promotion through various marketing channels.
Highlight the unique benefits that a sponsorship will provide. Clearly communicate the investment required, as well as the expected return on that investment. Be prepared to follow up with any additional information or materials requested. Send a thank you to show appreciation for their time and consideration.
The initial pitch strategies you put in place are a crucial part of getting high-quality event sponsors. Here are five ways to boost your event sponsorships and get the buy-in from your contacts.
Not all sponsors are the same, and you need to have a solid understanding of what makes a good fit for your event. You want sponsors that will be able to gain value from your event while providing support beyond the initial money deposit.
Research companies and brands that align with your event’s theme, values, and target audience. Reach out to them with a personalized proposal outlining the benefits of sponsoring your event.
Word of mouth can be a powerful tool in attracting sponsors, especially if you can get a warm introduction. Connect with your personal and professional networks to see if they have any connections to potential sponsors.
Also reach out to vendors and companies who can help you accomplish your event logistics needs. For example, if you need catering, try reaching out to some local food places to see if they would be willing to partner with you in some way.
Get sponsors excited about participating and entice them to spend more to get more. A clear and concise sponsorship package menu makes it easier for potential sponsors to understand their options and increases the likelihood of securing a sponsorship.
It’s crucial that you identify your target sponsors and understand their needs so your packages can align with their goals. Offer a variety of packages that include flexible pricing so sponsors can choose their level of investment.
Social media is a great way to promote your event and attract sponsors. Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your event and highlight the benefits of a sponsorship. You can also use social media to showcase your sponsors and their involvement in the event.
That being said, it’s difficult to drum up visibility and engagement if you typically have a dead or neglected social presence. Remain active throughout the year, offering your audience value so they are already in the habit of tuning in when they see your posts.
In many cases, event sponsorships should not be a one-and-done relationship. In most cases, it’s more efficient and effective to retain your sponsors instead of searching for new partners each year. A long-term approach from the beginning increases the likelihood of them sponsoring future events.
Focus on building strong relationships with sponsors, even after the event is over. Keep them updated on the success of the event and provide them with data to show the impact of their sponsorship. Make it easy for them to access event photos or metrics that might be important to their stakeholders or audience.
You want to make potential sponsors an offer they can’t refuse.
So, what are business leaders looking for in a sponsorship package? Here are three easy ways you can increase the value of your offerings.
Offer tailor-made solutions to meet a sponsor’s specific needs and ensure they are getting value that matters to them. These customized sponsor packages should cater to the different levels of sponsorship and highlight the unique opportunities and benefits that sponsors will receive. These may include advertising agreements, booth space, speaking opportunities, exclusive networking events, or branded merchandise.
Use social media to maximize the value of your sponsorship. Do you already have a robust profile with an active following? Share photos, videos, and posts on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to increase the visibility of your upcoming event. Social platforms are a great place to generate buzz, engage with your target audience, and enhance the value of a sponsorship.
Offer opportunities for engaging and interactive experiences that allow sponsors to showcase their products or services. For example, you could include a product demonstration, booth exhibit, or a giveaway in one of your package levels. Activation can help create a lasting impression for attendees and boost brand visibility, which makes your sponsorship package more valuable.
If you are looking for a surefire way to boost your next event, we have just what you need. Brushfire’s Event App helps planners provide better support to event sponsors. A custom-built app can display sponsor branding, messaging, and links where users can easily find them.
Send targeted push notifications to promote sponsor-specific promotions or special offers to a specific segment of your attendees. The app makes it easier for sponsors to track ROI with access to real-time, detailed performance analytics and attendee demographics. This information can be used to fine-tune marketing strategies and optimize the value of their sponsorship.
Brushfire can help you create a win-win-win situation for your team, your sponsors, and your attendees.Do you want to learn more about how our industry-leading tools can help you create better events? Reach out to our team today for a consultation.