How to create a sponsorship deck?
Creating an effective sponsorship deck is crucial in bridging the gap between your vision and potential sponsors. It needs to inform but also inspire and persuade sponsors to come on board.
Here's how you can do it:
1) Understand your sponsor’s business challenges
It's crucial to understand and address the specific business challenges of your potential sponsor. In your deck, make sure the "About us" section not only highlights your organization but also shows how your brand complements the sponsor's brand.
This alignment is key in demonstrating that you are a suitable partner to carry their message.
2) Analyze your target audience
Your "Audience" section should be more than just demographics. Dive deep into your audience's attitudes, hobbies, interests, and behaviors.
This information is vital for sponsors to see if your audience aligns with their customer base and if they are likely to purchase the sponsor's products or services.
3) Align with your sponsor’s sales goals
As noted by a senior marketing strategist, John Rose, the value of a sponsorship program is directly tied to its ability to support the sponsor's sales goals. A general rule is aiming for at least a 10 to 1 return on investment.
Your deck should clearly outline how the sponsorship will contribute to the sponsor's sales objectives. If it doesn't explicitly connect your program to their sales goals, the proposal may not be successful.
4) Showcase past success stories
Include a section in your deck that highlights past sponsorship successes. Share case studies or testimonials from previous sponsors to demonstrate the tangible impact of partnering with your organization.
This not only builds credibility but also gives potential sponsors a clear picture of what they can expect in terms of outcomes and returns.
5) Present a clear and compelling story
Your sponsorship deck should tell a compelling story about your organization or event. This narrative should weave through every section of the deck, creating a cohesive and engaging experience for the reader.
Use storytelling to connect emotionally with potential sponsors, illustrating the impact and significance of your event or project.
6) Detail the logistics and execution plan
Provide a clear outline of how the sponsorship will be executed. This includes logistical details such as timelines, event schedules, marketing campaigns, and any other relevant operational aspects.
Sponsors need to understand not just the 'why' but also the 'how' of the sponsorship to gauge feasibility and alignment with their schedules and resources.
7) Talk about sponsorship packages
Be strategic about including pricing in your deck. If it's an initial outreach, you might want to leave out the pricing until you understand the sponsor's needs better.
However, if you're at the proposal stage, include detailed pricing. Ensure your pricing aligns with the value you're providing and is comparable to similar sponsorships.
8) Offer customization and flexibility
Make it clear in your deck that you are open to customizing sponsorship packages to better fit the sponsor's needs. Flexibility can be a significant selling point, as it shows that you are willing to work closely with the sponsor to create a mutually beneficial partnership.
This could involve adjusting the levels of sponsorship, customizing benefits, or co-creating unique marketing initiatives.
9) Craft a compelling call to action
In your sponsorship deck, the Call to Action (CTA) is crucial. It's where you prompt potential sponsors to move from consideration to action.
Be specific and direct, clearly stating what you want the sponsor to do next, whether it’s scheduling a meeting or signing up for a package.
Create a sense of urgency if there are deadlines or limited opportunities, and make responding easy with direct contact information or links.
Highlight the benefits of immediate action, like securing the best package or gaining early exposure.
Ensure that responding to your CTA is straightforward. Your next step slide should include direct contact information, links to online forms, or QR codes that lead directly to a response page. The easier it is for sponsors to take the next step, the more likely they will do so.
Here's a great example of a compelling call to action