The Top 5 Ways to Secure Sponsors for Your Event

September 2, 2015

In today’s tightly-packed marketplace, hosting an event for potential clients is practically mandatory for any company. And while it is easily the best way to get customers to connect with your brand, it can also be one of the most burdensome. Be it a launch party, a fundraiser, a happy hour, or even a simple networking social, taking an event from start to finish is hard work, and often requires all hands on deck.

However, with a few awesome sponsors on your side, things suddenly get a lot easier. If you can find likeminded businesses who will provide food, drinks, prizes, or services for your guests, you’ll save tons on costs and logistical headaches. But how do you find another company willing to help you out? Don’t sweat it: here are the top 5 ways to secure sponsors for your event.

1. Go Small or Go Home. Often, big companies don’t have time or interest in partnering on individual events, especially for small or growing businesses. Rather than spending time listening to hold music while you wait to get transferred yet again, reach out to other small businesses. They are more likely to team up, and the benefits will reach them as well.
2. Stay Local. Pull a Mr. Rogers and get friendly with your neighbors. Use your proximity to other nearby businesses as a tool to get them involved. Block parties are fun because you get everyone on the street out at once, right? So give your event a similar vibe by bringing lots of local flavor to one spot.
3. Keep It Personal. Selling a product and getting a sponsorship for an event require similar tactics – meaning a generic form email ain’t gonna cut it. Reach out with a personalized message, phone call, or even a tweet. If you can make a personal connection, you’re more likely to get them on board, and you’ll make a friend or two along the way.
4. Don’t Take “No” For an Answer. Often, a potential sponsor will try to kick the can for days, weeks, or even months. Persistence pays off in these situations. Asking for a manager’s email, phone number, even their Twitter handle shows that you’re interested in having them on board. Often, a maybe means just that, and continual reminders can help finalize a deal.
5. A Little Bit Goes A Long Way. As much as we’d like, one sponsor can’t do everything, and you shouldn’t expect them to. Accumulating many small partnerships is a more feasible way to build your pool of resources, and is much more likely than one event goose laying a golden sponsorship egg. Plus, with more partners on board, your event caters to a wider audience and gets more eyes on your company.

Follow these 5 rules and you’ll be sure to have a rocking event in no time. Happy planning!