Women business owners, are a fast growing group and finding funding for projects and
initiatives in the current economy can sometimes prove challenging, which leads many
on the hunt for creative ways to boost revenue. With access to capital being the focus,
exploring the possibilities available through corporate sponsorship is a viable option.
Sponsorship, when done well can provide an additional income stream for your small
business. Being a micro-business owner does not exclude you from gaining corporate
sponsorship. Instead of thinking that your company is too “small” or that sponsorship is
for “big” companies and “we cannot offer much value”, ask yourself these questions:

1. What exactly is my company’s message or the reason for my project? (Example: My
message is empowering teenagers between the ages of 14 -18 years old!)
2. Which companies out there best align with my message? (Example: Educational
Brands, Clothing lines..Ice cream and Candy Companies… yes, they have brand
messages too :-) ... that list could go on and on…)
3. Who out there would like to meet my tribe? Who would benefit from my audience or
my database or advertise on my website?

Once you have answered these questions and identified those people, write a proposal
and send them something that will make them think “Great!” by partnering with this
project we could generate more business, more visibility for our brand. Keep in mind that
seeking sponsorship is not necessarily about asking for the big money upfront, it is
about finding your company a new partner that wants to work with you so you both grow
and both become more successful. As I regularly say, it is about building strong
relationships. Our mantra at MACsWomen is Creativity Over Competition™. Creatively
build that bridge to yes!

Ideally, your company and event generate multiple sources of revenue; one important
source for many events is corporate sponsorship. Now that you have some defining
questions, realize that you are not too small and you have value. Identify those values,
your audience, your database, your website and many other options. Take action, get out
there and build strong relationships with brands that fit your mission.

Michelle Christie is a Small Business Management expert who helps women
entrepreneurs with relevant resources and tools to achieve success in managing their
business. You can find more valuable sales, marketing, how-to-articles and tips at her
website MACsWomen In Business Network located at
http://www.macswomenonline.com You can find specific information about getting
Corporate Sponsors at
http://www.macswomenonline.com/corporate_sponsorship_ecourse.html