(ThyBlackMan.com) When you’re just starting out, finding promoters and sponsors for your business can get overwhelming. It is not something you can do in a day or two. It takes time to learn the art of bringing in world-class sponsors. Let’s look at the ten easy ways to get sponsors and promoters in the corporate world.
- Prefer calling over emails
Sending emails to potential sponsors and promoters can save a lot of time, but if you are still among the lesser known companies, calling and setting up a meeting can be more effective. You can always share information and more details by email so that they can read it, but meeting people in person is always better as people find it hard to say no to requests made in face-to-face meetings.
- Ask questions
Remember that people want something in return, which means you must talk about them and not only about yourself or your business. Ask questions so that you can learn about their goals they are trying 
to achieve by sponsoring your business or corporate event. It will not only clear your doubts, but it will also help you understand if the company or people you’re contacting are worth considering or not.
- Be clear about what you can do
In the marketing world, your target audience is one of the most important elements you should focus on. When you meet a potential sponsor or a promoter, make your plans very clear and make sure that you’re not ignoring your target audience. New entrepreneurs often feel trapped when they end up promoting their sponsor’s company more than their own business. Although it’s your responsibility to help them accomplish their business goals, at the same time, you should also focus on promoting your most valuable assets.
- Pass the test
Sponsors will most likely judge you on three parameters – experience, platform, and proposal. If you are new in the market and don’t have any relevant experience, bring experienced people on board and show this to the potential sponsor. You can also tell them about the companies, partners, or people you work with.
You also need to have a strong connection with people who buy your products, have subscribed to your email newsletters or follow you on social media. A platform is important in the eyes of a sponsor, so keep it strong.
The third and probably most important thing is your proposal. People don’t want to read a lengthy document, so make sure that your sponsor proposal highlights the benefits, marketing strategy, long-term plans, media opportunities, and goals.
- Give back to the community
Sponsors want to look generous in front of their customers and a caused-based sales partnership can attract them as it fits perfectly into their marketing goals. A property that helps the community not only attracts more customers, but it also portrays the sponsor and your business as good corporate ventures. So make sure that you are making caused-based promotional partnership the base of your pitch.
- Don’t neglect small companies
Big brands often choose partners of their level unless they see long-term benefits in small or mew companies. So, if your requests are declined by the major players, contact small companies. Large companies often market their products by putting television commercials and newspaper ads, while small companies prefer blogging and other digital marketing channels such as ads and social media marketing campaigns. Fundraising websites can give you an idea of new brands and innovators who would like working with you.
- Stick to your offer
When you write multiple emails to many companies, it becomes impossible to track what you are telling each of them. It happens a lot especially when a group of people starts sending out emails to potential sponsors. Before you begin, document your strategy and make sure that your team doesn’t overcommit. Sticking to your offer will help you keep things in a systematic manner and at the same time, it can also protect your business from unwanted disputes.
- Word of mouth
If you run a business, a scheme for loyal customers is really a great way to go ahead. Whether it’s about creating a referral or incentive system, helping with social media likes, or a traditional freebie, the right kind of schemes and incentive systems will attract promoters and encourage them to promote your business. In the B2B market, creating a system like this can be tricky, but there are many ways to do it if you are creative.
- Turn your mentors into sponsors
Find a mentor who can help you grow professionally. People don’t easily agree when you tell them about your sponsor proposal, but if you can build a strong connection and ask them to be your mentor, you can later turn these mentors into sponsors. The time you’ll spend with them will not only help you build a strong relationship, but you can also build trust without having to show off your skills. The idea is very simple – make yourself visible.
- Think beyond ‘people with money’
Most of the people who are rich and companies who are successful have reached that level by making smart choices. If you really want that big company to consider your sponsor proposal, you must show them a business plan that clearly highlights how and where the money will go and what they can expect in return. New business owners often wonder why nobody takes their proposal seriously. The key to finding sponsors and promoters is a serious effort.
Staff Writer; Jay Brown
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