Plan well ahead and have a 6-12 month lead time for pitching and securing sponsors for your event.
Successful sponsorship sales typically starts with a Cold-call, learn how to do it well and know your event.
inside out prior to calling prospects. Practice the pitch in advance and think about good responses to event related questions.
Make sure your sponsorship proposal and event collateral (website, social media profiles etc.) is professionally developed and designed. You’re competing with the best in the industry so make sure your material stands out.
Don’t send your sponsorship proposal until you have discussed the opportunity with a decision maker.
Stay organized, use a spreadsheet to organize prospects (name, contact info, category, pitching history etc).
Make sure you have strategic media partners in place before you start looking for sponsors. Include letters of intent with your sponsorship proposal to increase interest.
Be prepared to commit to serious time to selling your sponsorship packages, this process takes time and the more effort you put in the more sales you will make.
