Smart Ways to Attract Event Sponsors

Apr 16, 2024 Praggya Joshi

Before hosting an event, planners and organizers often contemplate the budget. It's typical to hope for endless funds that allow you to invest in top-notch technology and orchestrate a wonderful experience. However, not many businesses have the required resources or support to plan an elaborate event. This is where sponsorship opportunities come in handy. Attracting well-aligned event sponsors also has other benefits. It expands your marketing reach and enhances the credibility of your event. Some sponsors even add value to events by hosting sweepstakes or providing product experiences to attendees. 

Keep reading as we provide you with actionable steps to attract event sponsors for your upcoming event.

How Do You Reach Out to Sponsors for an Event?
Reaching out to the right sponsors involves defining your event goals and researching potential options. Once you have a list ready, pitch yourself by communicating your brand's USP. It’s also good practice to reach out to companies that your target audience is already familiar with. 

Follow these steps to attract event sponsors.

Identify Companies That Align with Your Values
The initial step in attracting sponsors is conducting thorough research on potential options. Identify companies that align with your brand's values and mission. Your goal should be to find an organization that complements the purpose of your brand's offerings. For instance, if you run a fitness-focused company, avoid seeking sponsors in the fast-food industry. 

Ask these questions to pinpoint the right sponsors 

1. Who is my target audience? 

2. What types of companies seek to engage with my current and potential customers? 

3. Who are my competitors partnering with? 

4. Which companies are competitors of the sponsors associated with my competitors? 

5. Who sponsors events similar to mine within my industry? 

Once you have clarity on the type of sponsors you seek, utilize tools like LinkedIn, sponsorship databases, and local chambers of commerce to identify viable options.

Create a Powerful Pitch
Pitching or sending a sponsorship proposal is one of the most critical steps in the process of securing sponsorships. It is all about highlighting what makes you stand out from the rest. To create a strong pitch, consider the following: 

1. What makes your organization special? Share your unique story to build an emotional connection with your potential sponsor. 

2. Mention the work that you do. It will help companies see if you share similar interests. 

3. Outline your target market. This will inform your potential sponsors whether sponsoring your event will benefit them. 

Finally, include your business contact information in your pitch so it is easy for companies to connect with you.

Offer Great Incentives to Your Sponsors
Generally, companies do not sponsor for free. They want to know exactly how this arrangement will benefit them. In other words, you have to offer certain incentives to your sponsors. Here are some tips for the same. 

1. Promote your sponsors by including their logo and name on your marketing materials. 

2. Offer discounts to attendees who purchase the products/services of your sponsors. 

3. Highlight your sponsors in your social media posts, blogs, and newsletters.

Additionally, utilizing a sponsorship management platform can help you enhance these partnerships.

Personalize Your Proposal
Your proposal should be aligned with the marketing goals of your potential sponsor. Personalize it so organizations will know how exactly you’ll help them meet their goals. Tailor your sponsorship proposal further by asking them the following questions. 

1. Who is your target audience? 

2. How do you engage in sponsorships? 

3. What are your sales objectives for this year? 

4. What, according to you, are the most crucial aspects of a sponsorship deal? 

Now, refine your proposal before you meet the companies to discuss it in detail.

Use Data to Make Your Sponsors Feel Confident
Your potential sponsors aim to fulfill their own financial objectives through your event. The more assured they are about achieving these goals, the more likely they'll be to sponsor your event. However, determining the ROI they can expect from your event isn't always straightforward. You can enhance their confidence by providing data from your past events. Share revenue generated from promotions and the size of your current active member base. Present your visit-to-purchase conversion rate and levels of social media engagement. This data offers sponsors a rough estimate of the ROI they can anticipate from funding your event.

Follow up with Prospects
Following up with your prospects keeps you on top of their minds and can lead to mutually beneficial adjustments in the sponsorship terms. To follow up correctly, adjust your approach to their communication style. If they prefer a phone call, follow up with a call. On contrary, if they are more used to email communication, use that. 

Do not follow up directly after the pitch. Wait a little and give them time to think over your proposal. If you’re following up through messages, keep them short and professional. Always highlight the value that this sponsorship will bring to them.

Summing up
Attracting sponsors for events doesn’t have to be a nerve-wracking task. Follow the simple tips above and prepare yourself for success. Remember to always communicate how the sponsorship will help them achieve their goals. 

Reach out to Eventcombo’s tech experts to streamline your event planning, so you can focus more on critical tasks like attracting sponsors. https://bit.ly/498PjBV