Leave Behinds Can Help Prospective Sponsors

Leave Behinds Can Help Prospective Sponsors
When you’re connecting with sponsors in person, a “leave behind” can take many forms such as a document, pamphlet, a gift, and the list goes on. The key to a leave behind that doesn’t get tossed is to ensure it is relevant to what you met about or discussed, professional, and has a call to action. Sponsorship decision-makers meet and talk to many people who are looking to engage them as partners and sponsors, so how do you compile and design leave behinds that stand out?

What to Include in Your Leave Behind:

The leave behind should NOT be a proposal, a deck of sponsorship levels, or an ask for money. It is more an information piece that helps a prospective partner remember who you are and what your project is about. You can introduce the idea that you’ll provide a leave behind as you’re getting to know prospective sponsors.

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The reason a leave behind can be helpful to prospective sponsors is that it is a reminder of your conversation, your project, and the connection you made with them.

Your leave behind might even be an assembly of items, but here is a checklist of the essentials to include:
  • Your leave behind content should demonstrate you understand how sponsorship works.
  • You should demonstrate that you have researched the particular brand/sponsor you’re communicating with.
  • Make the conversation about them and explore the brand’s goals and objectives, their audience, marketing goals, etc. by asking questions and learning about them.
  • Ensure that your project overview is concise and that you draw on some of the potential synergies based on what you heard and researched.
  • Provide your call to action (e.g. “let’s connect” and tell them the best way).

Examples of Leave Behinds:

  • Brochures
  • Flyers
  • One-sheets
  • Booklets
  • Branded letter
  • Postcards or rack cards
  • Presentation folders
  • Presentation decks
  • Infographics
  • Business cards
  • Note pads
  • Calendars
  • Swag

How to Make Your Leave Behind Stand Out:

Below are some additional tips to ensure your leave behind doesn’t get tossed out.
  • Do NOT have a generic proposal or ask for money as a leave behind, especially when it is the first meeting!
  • “Use” the leave behind in your meeting. For example, show something on the leave behind (such as “my contact information is here” or refer to information on the postcard or document). If it is just introduced at the end of the meeting, it loses its appeal and its relevance.
  • Ensure whatever you are leaving is related to the meeting or what you spoke about or the decision-maker may not remember your project.
  • Be certain whatever you leave behind is professional (use designed layouts and be sure to proofread).
  • Ask permission to leave the item or package with the sponsor (don’t just assume they want it).

What type of leave behinds could you provide at your next in-person meeting?

Leave behinds are just one of many sponsorship tools you can use to make an impact and get sponsors to say yes. If you’re looking for more ideas, check out our array of services and courses.
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