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...
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Getting CLEAR ivolves:
- Communicating your project in a way that is focused, easy to understand, builds interest, and does not feel salesy.
- Leaving fluff and unnecessary information out of the dialogue.
- Engaging the person (sponsor, funder, champion) early on through an Example or story.
- Asking questions to get the person (sponsor, funder, champion) engaged in the conversation and Avoid acronyms and terms that are not general knowledge.
- Repeating the most important details in a different way as you close the conversation.
How to create your Dream Project description:
When you are working on your short description of your project, keep these details front of mind in your verbal communications, marketing material, and media.
- Identify the 3 most important talking points about your dream or project that need to come out right away.
- Keep the explanation to about 2-3 minutes. People will zone out after that. You don’t need to share all the details right off the bat, just a short description that peeks interest.
- Practice your explanation in the mirror at least 10 times (and refine and modify as you go).
- Video yourself (use your cell phone) practicing so you can critique and modify.
- Avoid acronyms and industry speak.
- Make sure you have answers prepared for these questions (these are the questions that sponsors, funders, and champions will ask you!): WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, and HOW
- Create a visual image.
- Tell others about your project. Create good gossip.
Charmaine Hammond's visual image for the Million Acts of Kindness Tour
Rebecca Kirstein's visual image for the Rethink Thinking Summit
The Big Dream Primer program will help you build relationships with potential sponsors and champions.
Remember, when people are confused it makes it difficult for them to see where they or their business can integrate into your dream or project. When people don’t understand your project, they can’t share it with others.
Make it easy for them to say yes by being CLEAR!