Networking with potential sponsors
When it comes to marketing yourself to potential sponsors, nothing beats a personal connection. Yes you can send letters, make phone calls and present proposals, but your best marketing tool is the opportunity to meet potential sponsors BEFORE you make a request.
Joining a Business Networking Group is a great way to market your organisation and develop relationships with potential sponsors. It gives you the opportunity to canvas prospective supporters without pressure, and you can start to identify people with similar values and beliefs. Most importantly, it allows you to extend your circle of influence, and market your organisation to a whole new bunch of people.
To make the most out of networking events:
- Be bold and approach people you have never met before. If you only speak to people you know, there’s little chance of growing your network.
- Be prepared with a 30 second summary about your organisation, what it does and who it supports. Avoid not-for-profit jargon or abbreviations. Most business people have no idea what an NGO is!
- Ask people what business they are involved in and what it is they do. Telling people about your organisation is only a part of the conversation. Networking is about developing partnerships and that’s a 2 way thing.
- Carry business cards or flyers that you can give people to take away. You don’t have to give them to everyone, but it’s important to have them on hand when you need them.
- Ask people for their business card or contact details, and then follow them up with an email the next day. A simple ‘It was nice to meet you’ is a good place to start. If you have an article, resource or link they may be interested in – send it through to show you were listening and interested in what they had to say.
There are loads of Business Network Groups all around the country. The following websites will help you find one in your area:
Her Business Network
A business network for women in business. Good speakers and the opportunity to meet potential supporters and sponsors. Meetings are held all over the country. For your local contact visit: www.herbusinessmagazine.com/Networks.html
Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber of Commerce provides training, support and networking opportunities for businesses and not for-profit organisations throughout New Zealand. For you local contact, Google "Chamber of Commerce" and then the name of your town or city.
Pro Link
Pro Link offers business networking opportunities in Tauranga, Rotorua, Hamilton and Auckland. For your local contact visit: http://www.pro-link.co.nz/members%20directory.html