It is best to personally deliver a solicitation package to prospective corporate sponsors.
Corporations constantly receive sponsorship requests. When contacting a potential sponsor, you want to stand out from the rest to increase your chance of success. Carefully research companies and choose those who have the same market audience as your organization. Create a solicitation package that shines above your competitors, include an original compelling letter, promotional items and explain how mutually beneficial it will be for the corporation to sponsor your organization.
Instructions
1. Research prospective companies with similar interests to your organization. Review the company's website, brochure and newsletter. Conduct an Internet search to find what companies have sponsored organizations like yours in the past. Look at magazines, newspapers or any online news source. Choose corporations that have the same demographic (age and gender) as your organization. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, corporations sponsor companies for various reasons -- exposure, same target audience, belief in your cause or to reach out to the community.
2. Create a list of potential corporate sponsors. Call the marketing department or the public relations division. Obtain the name, address, email address and telephone number of the appropriate manager, who you can send your solicitation package to.
3. Outline the benefits of becoming a sponsor. Create specific dollar amounts for each sponsorship level. For example, corporations who donate $25,000 achieve corporate benefactor status. Sponsors who donate $20,000 become platinum members. Silver membership is attained when $10,000 is donated and those who donate $15,000 become gold members. Reward the highest donors with gifts, maximum exposure, VIP seating and extra event tickets. Offer to publicize the sponsor on your website, newsletter, print advertisement, press release and on an event banner.
4. Write a compelling letter. One of the keys to landing a corporate sponsor is to submit an original heartfelt letter. Introduce yourself and your company. Be specific and outline what the needs of your company are, request exact dollar amounts and discuss how donating money or time will be beneficial to the sponsor. Explain why you chose the corporation and why you feel they would make an excellent sponsor. Provide details on what rewards you are going to offer the sponsor and how you plan on promoting their brand.
5. Prepare a solicitation package, include a letter, press kit, promotional gifts, a company brochure, a question and answer section and biographies of the top staff.
6. Personally deliver your solicitation package. If the location of the corporation is too far, or you need to cut costs, mail the solicitation package.
7. Call all the corporations you sent your package to one week later, and follow up with them.
8. Send special gifts to the sponsors who donated money.
9. Mail thank you cards to corporations who did not make any financial contribution. Thank them for taking the time to review your solicitation package. A corporation who is on the fence may change their mind when they receive your card, or they will appreciate your professionalism and keep you in mind for future possible sponsorship.
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