Money Talk: getting first time sponsors/advertisers

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getting first time sponsors/advertisers

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Theater Administration
Forum Name: Money Talk
Forum Discription: Questions about fundraising and promotion
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3597
Printed Date: 5/15/24 at 10:29pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: getting first time sponsors/advertisers

Posted By: RoseColored Gla
Subject: getting first time sponsors/advertisers
Date Posted: 11/12/08 at 10:01am

Does anyone have any tips/hints/suggestions on getting advertisers and sponsors for my first production?

I have a letter written up for each, as well as a general letter explaining all the different ways to support us. Should I email? hand deliver? mail? should I do followup calls? just let it ride?

I don't want to seem too pushy, but i also can't afford to be too lax about it.

Thanks!

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Dennis Dippary
Artistic Director
Songs for a New World http://rosecoloredglassestheater.com - RoseColored Glasses
May Dionysus smile upon your every performance!

Replies:

Posted By: Darren
Date Posted: 11/16/08 at 9:09pm

Sometimes it's hard to tell what will work...especially in a tough economy. It is best to make the connection as personal as you can. If you can go in person, do that. If that's not appropriate for some contacts, mail to a specific person and make one follow up phone call. Since this is your first production, be sure to include information about yourself and your work to get them interested.

Good luck.

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Darren Farrington
Theater Management and Production Consultant
http://darrenfarrington.com - www.darrenfarrington.com

Posted By: gaftpres
Date Posted: 1/09/09 at 10:30pm

Our Ct does this with our advertisers(sponsors). We have a single form letter and 2 identical invoices for them. On one of the invoices, we attach a copy of the ad as it will appear in our programs with the different sizes available for purchase. 1/3 page 30 1/2 page $60 fullpage $90. Explain in the letter specifically what they are getting for their $$'s. We have a finance committee consisting of 8 people that take 8-10 ads to different businesses a month before they are due. After the due date, each committee member follows up with the businesses that didn't respond. You would be surprised how many set it aside and forget. Our renewal rate last year was 98% and we picked up 4 new advertisers. Persistence and letting the businesses know that you will promote their businesses properly will pay off. Best of luck, I hope our techniques help you develop your own.

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Old volunteers never die, they just get recycled!

Posted By: John Luzaich
Date Posted: 3/26/09 at 2:24pm

Rose,

we have a number of different ways businesses can become involved with us by sponsoring or having an ad in our playbill/program. We do it by e-mail & web site, and by hard copy postal delivery. Many companies/businesses still like to do business the old fashioned way and receive something in the mail, so we send info out on our theatre letterhead directly to them. We're also starting to get more response from our web site. Please check out our sponsor/advertising info on our web site at http://www.osterregent.org - www.osterregent.org and on the home page click on "Support Us".

John

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John
cfct@cfu.net
http://www.osterregent.org
http://www.facebook.com/osterregent

Posted By: SpenceKenzer
Date Posted: 3/26/09 at 4:29pm

Getting new advertisers/sponsors, and maintaining them, can easily be a full-time vocation, taking up lots of time and effort. If you're heavily involved in the production of the show (producing, directing, stage managing, acting, etc.) you might want to get someone else to take on this job. Nothing promotes burn-out faster that trying to do 2 or more impossible jobs at the same time.

As much as you'll start with one form of communication and would like to stick with it, the answer is you'll probably find you have to use many different forms of communication with different organizations. Use whichever form will get you the advertising/sponsorship. Follow-up, follow-up, follow-up ... and then follow-up some more!

I agree with member_profile.asp?PF=1667&FID=3 - gaftpres -- be very clear (with examples) of what their organization will get for their money. If the organization already has an ad somewhere (local paper, yellow pages), you might use it as an example when showing them sizes & prices of ads.

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--------------------<*>
Saludos, my dahlinks, and you know who you are ... !

Posted By: John Luzaich
Date Posted: 3/31/09 at 12:34pm

sonshine had the same question in the "raising money" blurb. We have some letters that we've sent associated with our web site that we would be willing to share if you're interested Rose.

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John
cfct@cfu.net
http://www.osterregent.org
http://www.facebook.com/osterregent