How to ask for Free things - Tracey Schulz

How to ask for free things?

Have you ever needed to ask for something for free?  ..... it can be a little awkward :) 

Today I have something a little different for you... We get asked to sponsor events all the time and I just want to give you some tips for if you ever find yourself in this position (these will work for any sponsorship you might need).

If you are a volunteer looking to generate sponsorship for a fundraiser, we know this is probably outside your comfort zone. Also if you are hosting an event such as a retreat and making money from the event, there is a certain level of expectation most businesses will have.

So here are my tips:

1. Don’t send a Facebook message, take the time to look up the email address of the company and put in some effort, you are asking the business to give you something for free after all
2. In your email, tell the business all the details (you will be surprised how often this is left out)
1. The event date and location 
2. How many people you expect to attend?
3. Your contact details, phone and postal address
4. When you would need the products to arrive by
3. What sort of event it is, stamping, scrapbooking, cardmaking?  A bit of everything? Is it a retreat? Club fundraiser? 
4. The big one which is always left out... How will the donating business be represented? This will determine the value of what the business could/might send you
1. Are you going to advertise the business in print or online? Will you need the business logo?
2. Will you be using social media during the event or leading up to the event? If yes, will you be tagging the business? Will you be sharing stories? How many stories do you think you will be able to tag the business in?
5. Try to be specific, are you after something to put in goodie bags for each participant? Will you need multiplies of something? Or is it a door prize or raffle prize you are after?
6. How many other sponsors will be onboard for the event?

Most businesses are more than happy to donate goods for fundraisers. If it’s a paid event, they will want to know the return on their adverting investment (ie. The return value for the goods they are sending you)

Hope these tips help, I know how daunting it can be to ask for something for free 😊

Tracey 

I have included a little example email below 

___________________________________________________________

Example sponsorship email

Good Morning Uniquely Creative Team

I am hosting the Scrapbooking Retreat coming up in October this year 19 – 20. I have personally been using UC products for years and love them. I was hoping UC would be interested in sponsoring our event?

The Happy Scrappy Retreat will be held in the beautiful lodge at Rainbow Bay over 2 days and we are expecting 30 crafty ladies to attend.

We would love to be able to put a little something from UC in each of the participant's goody bags and to offer a door prize to one of our lucky ladies.

In return for your sponsorship we would be able to include your business details (including your website and logo) on our printed material given to each participant, and please include extra business cards so we can hand these out and make available to special guests too.

In addition to this print advertising, we will be able to share UC on our social media accounts Facebook and Instagram.

Facebook/happy scrappy retreat (link)

Instagram//happy scrappy retreat (link)

We will be sharing social media leading up to the event and expect to be able to promote UC in at least 2 Instagram stories on both days and a few times leading up to the event and on posts Instagram & Facebook too.

We will also list UC as a sponsor in all our email communication with the participates.

We look forward to hearing from you and working with great Aussie Businesses to make our retreat a success and keep our fabulous crafty community alive.

Regards

Bella Princess

Contact Phone 0433 333 333

Email  bella@ happyscrappyretreat.com.au

Address:  999 Rainbow Street, Modbury SA 5092