Category Archives for "How to get sponsorship and business funding"

Building sponsorship relationships is one of many ways to raise funds for your dream project.

Crowdfunding and crowdraising is also becoming a popular way of helping entrepreneurs raise their dream and boost influence. 

After having been directly involved with several crowdfunding campaigns and watching others go through the process, many of the same relationship-building, social media championing, and communication planning principles that are successful in attracting sponsors also apply to attracting crowdfund supporters.

One of our Big Dream Primer program ​​students posed a great question in our Insiders' Facebook Group. The question was concerning an issue that is very real for many people with a big dream.

“How do you balance having a full-time job/career with having a big dream to raise without going down rabbit holes?” What a great question! It addresses a challenge that many of us face.

There are only 1,440 minutes available to us in a 24-hour period. This is 86,400 seconds in a 24-hour period.  Now given that some of that you are sleeping for 8 hours and then potentially working at a job for another 8 hours, the issue of how to allocate the resource of your time becomes very important. How do we make the best use of the precious time that is available?

Thank you is one of the important steps in our Raise a Dream 7-step model (you can download the model, which is included in the free ebook on our home page).

Recognizing the support of your sponsors and their contribution and involvement in your big dream, project, event, etc. is not an obligation; it’s an opportunity when done the right way.

And saying “thank you” doesn't just happen after something is complete. You can recognize your sponsor in many ways, at many points of time throughout your project.

Below, you’ll find a valuable list of over 20 ideas for thanking sponsors that I shared on a recent Raise a Dream Facebook Live (you can watch here).

As I was presenting on collaboration to a group of inspired entrepreneurs, I found myself thinking that raising dreams is not a solo act.

The image that popped into my mind was a community helping someone to raise their dream, and before I processed the words I said, “It takes a community to raise a dream.”

When I reflect on my dreams that I have put into action, they have always included other people. As well, all the projects and events supporting non-profits that Rebecca and I created before knowing one another all included champions and collaborators.

This was a key factor in attracted funding and sponsorship.

Entrepreneurs know that building your influence and growing your business takes time.  

Collaboration is one key strategy for entrepreneurs to quickly build their influence, grow their business, and increase their revenue and income.

The most important factor is to choose the right people and brands to collaborate with; businesses who share similar values and standards and that have an audience you want to be in front of are the right fit.

When entering into new collaborations (especially with friends, family, and colleagues that you have a pre-existing relationship with), have the important conversations up front.

​In marketing and business, you’ve heard the common phrase “less is more” and “bigger is not always better.” This is so true when it comes to communicating your message to champions, partners, and sponsors.

Confusion generally results in overwhelm and a “no,” which could mean you are leaving support, funding, and sponsorship on the table simply because of how the project was branded or communicated.

There is good news!

At Raise a Dream, we help our students and can help YOU...

​Getting past the gatekeepers within companies, brands, and organizations to connect with decision makers can sometimes be the most difficult challenge in building relationships with potential strategic partners and sponsors.

How can you overcome this challenge that sometimes feels impossible?

It’s actually pretty simple.

Make friends with the gatekeepers.  

If gatekeepers feel comfortable with you, and “like” you, they are more likely to connect you with the person you need to know.

​Stacy Lewis, pro golfer, recently won her first tournament since 2014. Prior to the tournament, she pledged that she would give her prize money to those affected by Hurricane Harvey in Houston, and true to her word she donated the winnings of $195,000.

Her generosity inspired a ripple effect, one that we often see in sponsorship. Her two biggest sponsors stepped up to the mound to support the hurricane relief efforts and victims. KPMG matched Stacy’s donation and Marathon Oil supported this by offering an additional million dollars. This was a great example of the power of collaboration mixed with sponsorship to support an important cause.  

In our work of raising dreams through our own projects and for our clients, we have the pleasure of witnessing this same type of ripple effect that results from having the right partners and sponsors, at the right time, for the right project or cause.