February - Give Sponsors a New Reason to Give You Money

Getting sponsors is increasingly more difficult. Companies, corporations and foundations are cutting back and really scrutinzing where they put their dollars.

Traditionally, festivals and events have given donors a listing on signage, some freebie tickets or passes and have tried to include them in press releases. Yes, that's all.

So for 2007, why not think outside the box a little? What type of event can you create to spotlight your sponsors with free publicity?

Here's an example: The Fun Fourth Festival, in Greensboro, North Carolina, had a vendor who sold helium-filled balloons in the shape of animals. Each one had legs. Vendors said they would go to hospitals and utilize the balloons as a way to cheer up small children. Kids would walk around with the inflated "animals" as on a leash.

So, we took that same idea to the hospital sponsor and created a media event for Uncle Sam to take the festival to hospitalized children. The hospital sponsor got free publicity - as did the Festival.

February Markting Tip - Create an event to highlight your sponsor that ties together with your festival.