Partnering with the right event as a sponsor is a great way to make an impact the community while also getting visibility for your brand (a win-win for sure). While goals for the event may differ – financial support, investing in the community or raising awareness for a cause – one thing remains the same: events are a great way to not only reach, but genuinely connect and build relationships with your target audience.
Make your sponsorship memorable
Finding an event that aligns with your organization’s goals AND helps connect with your target audience is the key to successful event marketing. You’ve found the right event to support – maybe it’s a run/walk, benefit concert, sporting event, tour of downtown businesses, conference, farmers market or fair – now how do you get the most out of your sponsorship?
- All hands on deck. Invite your team and influential members of your target audience to help plan your table, booth or station, and ask them to volunteer at the event. By having key influencers involved in the planning, they naturally create buzz for the event by sharing updates with their teams (and social networks). You can make the event even more fun for your staff by having them come up with a team theme for the event/station you are sponsoring and then investing in their idea.
- Beach theme? Bring the sun and fun with branded beach towels, sunglasses, beach balls or drinkware for staying cool and refreshed.
- Night event? Light things up with glow sticks, flashlights or light-up wearables.
- 80’s vibe? Add to the party with a retro fanny pack, crazy clothing and neon everything.
- Make it something to talk about. Scroll through the Facebook events feed, take a glance at your local newspaper’s listing or even walk by the coffee shop’s bulletin board and you will see countless events happening year-round. So how do you make your sponsorship (and the event overall) stand out? Give them a reason to remember it! Get attendees talking by staffing your themed booth with over-the-top, excited employees, and contributing to the fun for event attendees with just the right giveaway. Handing out paddle fans at hot, summer events? Genius! Distributing drawstring bags for a race or expo – now that’s smart. Or, stock your table with popular charging cables, perfect for audiences of all ages.
It’s no secret that sponsorships are a win-win-win: good for the community, good for the organization you’re supporting and good for building awareness and improving your reputation. Now go out and hit your sponsorships out of the park this summer!
