Day 19: Sponsors For Your Event

When asking for event sponsorship, a few things improve your chances.

1. Ask early. Start working on your event at least four months out. It takes pressure off you and gives sponsors time to budget.

2. Personalise each request. General "save the date" notices can go out as a campaign, but reaching a local business deserves a personal approach. Ask in person, or write an email that explains how supporting your event helps them.

3. Follow up. People are busy. Until you get a clear no, keep asking, and be patient.

4. Celebrate your sponsors. Deliver what you promised at each level, and thank them publicly and promptly.

5. Be creative about who you ask. Someone not having supported you before is not a reason to skip them. Work out who on your team is the right person to make the approach.

6. Polish your online presence. Anyone considering sponsoring you will look you up first. Make sure what they find is current and works on a phone.

7. Take on a partner who can help with the live event. You do not have to run it alone.

What hosting a sponsored event does for you

Beyond covering costs:

• Stronger community. Sponsors contribute to the event, and you become the person bringing people together.
• Visibility. You get known locally as the organiser, and sponsors' own networks bring you in front of people you would not otherwise reach.
• Skills. Selling sponsorship is negotiation, communication and relationship-building. The Alchemist leadership team runs sessions on this weekly.
• Resources. Sponsors often provide materials, giveaways or products, which is less for you to source.
• A tailored event. Sponsors will have suggestions worth taking.
• Long-term partnerships. A good first experience tends to become a standing one.
• Branding. Including sponsor branding in your materials gives them exposure and gives your event a finished look.