Youth Football Team Struggling For Funds? Try Community Sponsorships

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Creating a youth football organization or team can run into some unusual challenges: where to play, how to get people to join the program, community involvement, funding etc. One strategy in overcoming multiple challenges is to gather local community sponsors. This article's intention is to give a couple pointers in extending invitations and garnering relationships with potential sponsors.

Make a plan

The first step is to make a plan. An old adage states, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." A plan will consist of some basic marketing skills. First, start with people that you know. Second, understand the benefits of sponsoring your organization. Third, make the call and close the deal.

Start with people that you know

In planning to get sponsors for your football organization begins simply as a list of people. This could be anyone from a CEO of a fortune 500 company to the local delivery boy. It is amazing how much businesses rely on social networking, and you are two steps ahead of the game if you have a name, or a tie in to that organization.

Also, try and expand your circle of influence in a variety of ways. Get your football players and their parents to join you in sponsoring efforts. This will not only help you expand your circle, but is an ideal invitation to get them and their businesses to sponsor your team.

Understand your benefits

Here is a lesson from marketing 101: no one wants to hear how much a sponsorship is going to help you...they want to hear how this is going to help them. The more that you hone your pitch towards their goals, and their success the more they will listen.

Take some time to construct your pitch. How would a company, individual, or organization benefit from sponsoring your football organization? Are there ways to promote their businesses at your games? Promote them on your football jerseys? Will giving to your organization help the community feel better about their business?

Make the call and close the deal

Before you continue reading, stop and ask yourself. "How afraid am I of asking for help?" If you are 100% afraid then either you don't believe enough in your cause or you haven't constructed a plan or pitch that is good enough. Start over and try again.

Now that we are ready to go lets start calling! Nothing will help your cause, pitch, or donations more then persistence. Realize that everyone is going to have their free choice. Not even the best marketers or salesman achieve 100% sales conversion. You will get rejected, but if you believe in your cause it will not deter you from trying again and again.

When ending your conversation ask for some donation. There are many styles of closing the sale. One strong tip is to avoid yes or no questions. Instead of asking, "Would you like to sponsor our community team?" Ask something like, "Would you like to donate with cash or a check?"

Conclusion

Remember that if you have a good cause people will join you. The most powerful thing that you can do for yourself and your team is answering the "why" question: "Why are you doing this?" The more powerful and resolute the answer is the better!

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