Finding the Right Sponsors
Take note of sponsors who already work with events in or related to your industry. These brands already understand the value of event sponsorship and are likely to keep investing in this type of marketing because it benefits them as well. Plus, they already know their audience will align with yours, which makes pitching them much easier. Think about your attendees. Who are they and which brands would they like to see as event sponsors? Choose brands whose core values align with your audience.
Pitching to Sponsors
Be specific in your sponsorship proposal. Outline the benefits for the event sponsor. What can you offer in return for sponsorship? Is it increased brand exposure, lead generation, same-day sales or data insights into your audience? Study what your potential sponsors have been up to lately. Take advantage of these moments by noting these things in your proposal and weaving them into the event. And finally, the timing of when to approach them is key. Studies show that May, June and September are the best months since sales will likely be at a high. December, November, July and August, on the other hand, are generally not the best time of year to pitch sponsors. Of course, we all know sometimes even the best timelines do not align.