A member of the Chamber of Commerce Professionals Group on Facebook asked:
For those who make face to face sponsorship ‘asks’, what advice would you give someone doing it for the first time?
Asking for a chamber sponsorship in person can be a weighty task but one that’s critical to your chamber’s success considering it’s much harder to turn someone down in person than it is to avoid a phone call or delete an email. There were a lot of great suggestions from the group. Here are a few:
How to Ask for a Chamber Sponsorship
Be Direct
The person you’re asking will appreciate you being respectful of their time when you keep it short and to the point. Look them straight in the eye and ask them for their help in making the event a success, suggests Skip Alford, CEO of the South Dade Chamber of Commerce. It’s often easier to ask for “help” than it is to ask for the money, and there’s an obligation the person feels to help out when directly asked.
Be Prepared to Show ROI
These days ROI is a necessity. People are looking at data more than ever and you need to be prepared to show it. Don’t minimize the ask or feel bad doing it. You are offering them the opportunity to get in front of your audience while supporting the business community and the chamber’s efforts.
Make It a Conversation Around Their Needs
It’s possible the ideal sponsorship for the company you’re talking to hasn’t been invented yet. You may need to create one that fits them and their needs. Listen to what they’re looking for and be creative in finding a solution that gives you both what you want. Don’t place the onus on them to name their ideal sponsorship. If you come up with the suggestion, you’re adding the value.
Want to know more about how other chamber of commerce professionals have mastered the ask? Join the conversation here.
