10 tips for getting a sponsor

5 Use The LOCAL Media

Local radio and newspapers will publicise your quest for sponsorship, particularly if you have a press pack of things you will be giving the sponsor and a good angle for their story. For example, ‘Local football team looks for one minute of Rooney’s wages for kit sponsorship’ might work.

6 Offer Added Value

Lots of teams want sponsorship so make your proposal attractive by adding value. Ask the editor of the local paper if he would run a story about your sponsor with a small picture. If he says yes, let any candidates know they will get this exposure as soon as they sign up. Think of other ideas too, such as displaying the company logo on your website, newsletter and training gear.

7 Sell Your Connections

Tell your potential sponsor that each member of the team will hand out 250 flyers to local homes. That’s a leaflet drop of 3,000 homes. This could be a valuable service to a local business. Alert the local media to this.

8 Take A Chance

Maybe there’s a local celebrity who you could pitch the idea to – it’s a long shot but it might just work. This season Eastleigh Reds Under-13s struck a deal with The Prodigy after the band learned the team train to one of their songs, while Kingswell Under-9s can boast a deal with Swedish musician and ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ star, Basshunter.

9 Deliver On Promises

When someone does sponsor you, make sure they see the immediate benefits. Have a ceremony to unveil the kit with their company name on it and present them with a team picture. Send them any press cuttings that feature a picture of the team.

10 Don’t Forget Them

When you get a sponsor, don’t lose them. Invite them to games and text them the results after each match so they can follow your progress. If you have an end of season party, make sure your sponsor is the guest of honour and presents the Player Of The Season Award.