The first step in attracting sponsors is identifying businesses and organisations that align with your event's goals, audience, and values within the Eastbourne and East Sussex area.
Local Audience Profiling: Understand the demographics of your event’s audience. Are you targeting families, young professionals, or retirees? Knowing this will help you identify businesses in Eastbourne and East Sussex that want to reach the same audience.
Research Local Businesses: Look into local companies, including independent shops, restaurants, hotels, and service providers. Local business directories, the Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce, and local business networks can be excellent resources.
Corporate Sponsors with Local Ties: Don’t overlook larger companies that have a significant presence in East Sussex, such as Southern Water, Hastings Direct, or local branches of national banks like Barclays. These companies often have community outreach programs that could align with your event.
Charitable Organisations: Many local charities, such as St Wilfrid's Hospice or the Eastbourne Foodbank, might be interested in co-sponsoring events, especially if there’s a charitable component.
When approaching Eastbourne businesses, your proposal should reflect the local character of your event and how it aligns with the sponsor’s goals. Here’s how to tailor your proposal for local sponsors:
Local Impact Overview: Start with an introduction that highlights the local impact of your event. Explain how your event supports the Eastbourne and East Sussex community, whether through boosting tourism, supporting local charities, or providing cultural enrichment.
Audience Insights: Provide specific details about your event’s attendees, focusing on the local demographic. For example, if your event targets Eastbourne’s retired population, emphasise how the sponsor can reach this group.
Localised Sponsorship Opportunities: Offer sponsorship packages that resonate with local businesses. For example, a hotel might be interested in a package that includes prominent logo placement on event materials seen by tourists, or a local café might want to sponsor a refreshment stand at the event.
Highlight Local Partnerships: If your event has other local partners or supporters, mention them to demonstrate your event’s integration into the local community. This can increase a potential sponsor’s confidence in aligning with your event.
Emphasise Community Involvement: Showcase how sponsoring your event will enhance the sponsor’s standing within the Eastbourne and East Sussex community. For example, sponsoring a community fair or a charity walk shows a commitment to local well-being.
Customisation and Flexibility: Offer the option to tailor sponsorship packages to meet the unique needs of local businesses. This could involve creating special packages for smaller businesses with more limited budgets.
Reaching out to potential sponsors in Eastbourne and East Sussex requires a personal touch and an understanding of local business dynamics.
Leverage Local Networks: Use your connections within the local community to get introductions to decision-makers at potential sponsor companies. Attend local business events, such as those hosted by the Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce, to network and build relationships.
Personalised Outreach: When contacting local businesses, personalise your communication. Reference their involvement in previous local events, or mention recent news about their community efforts.
Highlight Local Success Stories: If your event has a history of success, especially within the Eastbourne or East Sussex area, make sure to highlight this. Share testimonials from past local sponsors who benefited from the partnership.
Engage with Local Media: Approach local media outlets such as the Eastbourne Herald or Sussex Express to cover your event and your sponsors. This added media exposure can be a significant selling point for potential sponsors.
Offer Community-Based Incentives: Beyond standard sponsorship benefits, consider offering community-based incentives such as co-branded community service initiatives or opportunities for the sponsor’s employees to participate in the event.
Once you’ve secured sponsors, maintaining a strong relationship is key to ensuring continued support for future events.
Deliver Localised Value: Ensure that your sponsors see tangible results from their investment. Provide them with local metrics, such as how many Eastbourne residents attended the event or engaged with their brand.
Post-Event Recognition: Publicly thank your sponsors through local channels, whether it's through the Eastbourne Borough Council’s social media, local newspapers, or community noticeboards. This reinforces their support for the community and increases their brand visibility.
Regular Communication and Updates: Keep your sponsors informed about the event’s progress and any local developments that may impact them. Regular updates create a sense of involvement and ensure that sponsors feel valued throughout the planning process.
Invite Feedback: After the event, invite your sponsors to provide feedback on their experience. Understanding their perspective can help you improve future collaborations and show that you are committed to meeting their needs.
Celebrate Success Together: If your event was a success, make sure to share that success with your sponsors. Host a post-event gathering or send a detailed report showcasing the positive outcomes for both the event and the sponsor, including community impact, media coverage, and attendee engagement.
Discuss Future Opportunities: Start discussions early about future collaborations. If your sponsors were happy with the partnership, they are more likely to commit to future events, providing you with a stable base of support for years to come.
If your business is looking for sponsorship opportunities in Eastbourne, consider reaching out to thebestof Eastbourne. We regularly receive requests from local organisations seeking sponsors and may have the perfect opportunity for your business. Partnering with us could connect you with events that align with your brand values and target audience, ensuring a mutually beneficial partnership that supports our vibrant local community.
