Sponsorship is an excellent marketing tool for small businesses. A small investment provides long-term rewards. Use sponsorship as a way to reach out to your current clientele while increasing your company’s overall customer base. Here are several ways that you can sponsor a good cause.
Youth Activities
Little League teams are run by volunteers. Kids who want to play ball must pay fees to cover the cost of uniforms and equipment. Help to lower the fees and get free advertising at every game by providing the team shirts. Put your business name and/or logo on the shirt. Moreover, mention your Little League sponsorship in the company’s advertising brochures.
Everything from summer band camp to the school concert and church Christmas play needs a sponsor. Provide background props for a play or buy advertising in the program brochure that is handed out to everyone who attends. Your business can buy a small block of advertising for as little as $25. Yearbook advertising costs slightly more but thousands of people will look through those yearbooks, and they will be around for decades.
Radio Shows
People spend a lot of time sitting in traffic as they go to work or drive the kids to after school activities. Research which radio stations and programs your target customer enjoys. For example, your customers might listen to morning talk shows on the way to work. Then approach the station about sponsoring one or more episodes.
Community Fundraisers
Provide food, transportation, or prizes to community fundraisers. Typical fundraisers that need sponsors include your local PBS television station, museum, library, a walk-a-thon for a cause, church carnivals, pet adoption events, and the county fair.
Professional Events
Professional events have different levels of sponsorship. Your company name might be on a banner, brochure, paper cups, etc. A small business does not have to compete against large corporations at first tier events. If most of your business is local, then consider sponsoring professional events at your community sports arena, bowling alley, or other venue.
