OBTAINING SPONSORS
By obtaining Sponsors, you should be able to enter this pageant at little or no cost to yourself or your family
If you're willing to put a little effort into the process, you can get someone else to support your entry fees, provide your gowns, and even pay your travel expenses. This is a win-win proposition, because you can offer businesses, clubs and community groups something they need -- advertising, a tax write off, and a voice.
First of all, get organized. You need a plan, and you need a budget. It's time to start listing every cost you might incur by participating in the pageant. Start with the hard costs such as pageant entry fee, and hotel room. Then list any wardrobe costs such as evening gown, interview outfit, shoes, and accessories. Other costs you might want to include are gym membership, interview, makeup and hair care treatments. Once you've listed every associated cost, add it up. This number is your working budget. Now it's time to implement some tricks of the trade to get that dollar amount paid for.
1. Go after in-kind sponsorships. Remember those items we listed such as evening gown, swimwear, pageant coaching and gym membership? The cost associated with these items and services can be eliminated by approaching local businesses and asking them to sponsor you -- not with a cash donation, but with goods/services from their business.
For instance, approach an evening wear provider in your area and propose a trade: you will list their businesses name as a sponsor if they will let you borrow a dress for the pageant. Let the business owner know your media plans; for example, show them a press release you plan to send out to local newspapers and TV stations, another opportunity to give their business exposure.
Most businesses are more than happy to support local women with their goods and services. Be respectful, and carefully explain why you want to participate in this pageant.
Show them your active community service record and any honors or awards that you've earned.
2. Business Sponsors. Your family can provide the best help in finding Sponsors for you. For example, there are many individuals and small businesses that have enjoyed your patronage over the years. They know you and your family, and have relied on you as a customer. Now, you can ask for their help in return. They should be willing to help you take advantage of this opportunity. Examples would be: doctor, dentist, insurance agent, florist, beauty salon, boutique, dress shop, auto dealer, family banker, drug store, news dealer, health club, lawyer, accountant, package store, small market, jeweler, auto service center, local restaurant, pizza parlor, tanning salon, dry cleaner, hardware store, funeral home, bakery, ice cream parlor, shoe store, pet shop, repair people, and of course your family and friends.
Don't overlook the possibility of getting many smaller contributions from neighbors and relatives. Many Contestants have gathered quite a large portion of Sponsorship from "collections" made at work, a husband’s workplace, a club or a bowling league. Also, many Service Clubs and Church Groups are eager to become involved with development programs like this Pageant, and may have funds available for this purpose, especially if you are active in the organization. Examples would be The Chamber of Commerce, VFW, Rotary Optimist Club, Lions Club, Kiwanis and of course, your family Church Group. If you do contact these organizations, DO IT EARLY, you may have to wait for a group meeting to get a decision.
Here are several steps each contestant can take to make the search for sponsors easier
· Make a list with companies or individuals you think might be supportive:
a) Family members.
b) Firms with which you or your family have been a customer.
c) Firms known to have substantial advertising budgets or discretionary promotional funds: Banks, insurance companies, title companies, automobile dealerships, developers and builders, high-volume restaurants and locally-owned beauty business - health clubs, hair salons and make up artists, evening-wear shops, photographers, tanning salons, etc.
Prepare a letter for each of your prospective sponsors. Be sure to include your community involvement, brief reasons for choosing to be a delegate to the state pageant; your history with the firm you are courting or reasons for soliciting the company:
a) Letter should also include your offer to make a personal appearance, i.e. fashion show, hostess, etc.
b) Attach a copy of the example ad page so the sponsor can see what you plan.
Your letter should also indicate a deadline date for response to you.
Keep track of your prospects. Note their amounts when calls or checks come in. Know the business well enough to know what you can offer them in return for sponsorship - modeling for clothiers, hostess for home or office builders, radio commercials for restaurants, photo sessions for beauty people & television commercials for large restaurants, auto dealers and health clubs.
Determine realistically how much you wish to raise: entry fee, new wardrobe items, transportation, photos, gym, makeup/hair artists, cosmetics, etc.
· With your amount in mind, determine how many sponsors in increments of various dollar amounts:
a) Ten sponsors $100 each; Five sponsors, $200 each
b) Twenty sponsors, $100 each
c) Four sponsors, $500 each
d) Two sponsors, $1000 each
A fantastic way to give your sponsors more advertising opportunities AND to update your supporters on your pageant progress is to build your own website. You can even promote your yard sale on your site. Then send out an email to everyone in your address book, letting them know the link and encouraging them to pass it on.
REMEMBER! Asking is the only way you will obtain sponsors! If you do not ASK, they will not sponsor. I live by the moto that all they can say is no...
Expect “no's”! Asking cost nothing but your time. Ask 20...maybe you will get one...it is a numbers game; the more you ask the more likely you Succeed!