Successful sponsorship programs are an art and a science. Best practices and models can be key to avoiding pitfalls and advancing sponsorship programs.
Use These 12 Words to Create Better Sponsor Relationships
What are the 12 words that will create better relationships when you talk with your corporate sponsors and partners? “We’re not selling sponsorships today; let’s talk about your company’s marketing goals.” Here is the reaction I get when I begin conversations with...
A Half-Dozen Ways to Improve Your Association’s Sponsorship Program
Associations want sponsorships to be a “win” for the association and its members. However, association staff and boards are often concerned that corporate sponsors will overstep the boundaries or be too “salesy”. Resolutions to this dilemma are in my article, “A...
Competition for Sponsored Components at Conferences
What to do when three companies want to sponsor the same component at the association’s annual conference? This question was posted on an ASAE listserv with an idea about auctioning off the lanyard sponsorship to the highest bidder. The value of lanyard sponsorships...
Words Have Power When It Comes to Successful Sponsorships
Words matter when it comes to organizations' corporate relationships. I worked for an association CEO; we had a robust corporate partner program. The association CEO never called the companies “vendors”. He sometimes called them “sponsors” or “partners”. He often...
What to do When Your Sponsors “Go Rogue”
A friend whispered to me, “do you know what some companies are doing? They’re not sponsoring or exhibiting at association conferences and expos. They’re registering as attendees, networking with clients and prospects during the day and hosting dinner meetings!” I...
What does Listening have to do with Sponsorship Success?
“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” – Bryant H. McGill This quote is excellent guidance for successful corporate sponsorships and partnerships. Gone are the days of Platinum/Gold/Silver/Bronze-level prospectuses...
Do Sponsors Sell, Sell, Sell? Not Necessarily
One of the biggest concerns about corporate sponsors is .... if they’re given a platform, they’ll sell. if we let them present at a conference session or webinar, they’ll sell if we let them do focus groups, they’ll sell if we let them speak with our board members,...