People are always asking for sponsorships or donations, or really – money in any way, all the time.

Is there a good reason for it?

Do businesses really see benefit from placing their company dollar to endorse someone else’s event or project?

In short, Yes. We’ve put together 5 benefits of sponsoring events that small businesses can use to really elevate their business brand.

Being a sponsor can boost visibility to make your business more attractive to potential customers or clients.

Sponsoring events, productions, projects, and the like can be a powerful tool for small businesses. Studies have actually shown that the more familiar someone is with a brand or logo, the more likely they are to purchase that brands goods or services. So, the more that  a company gets their brand, logo, or name out there, more trust people will have in what’s being offered. Essentially, the more often your brand, image, or logo is seen, the more attractive your services or goods will be to the general public. Simply put, be everywhere you can to get more sales and customers.

Another sponsorship benefit is the indication of credibility just by teaming up with other credible businesses.

Sponsorship may also lend credibility to your business or brand and the reason for this is simple, really. It’s for the same reason that word of mouth marketing works so well; humans have an inherent desire to socialize and belong. This means that when a person is introduced to a new thing or idea by someone they trust and/or like, that individual is more likely to also gravitate toward whatever was just introduced. This fulfills our internal desire to be a part of what others are a part of. Plus, on an instinctual level, we’re a little hardwired to think, “if this was good for him/her, then it will also be good for me.” So when people in the community already believe in a brand or company, they can call attention to other businesses and refer customers to them in trust. 

Cross-promotion from sponsorship can create an expanded reach for sponsors.

Not only would sponsorship increase visibility by increasing the amount your brand is seen in the community, but it would also expand the reach of your brand into areas of the community that it may not have been before. This is one of the reasons why the Dirty DAHG team loves cross-promotion so much!

When a company begins marketing their own business, they usually begin by building a platform (like a website or store) for the public to find them. Then they can market through their networks and even use social media to target specific areas and demographics. The thing is, that only creates visibility for those people in the community looking for your type of service or goods. This is because of the way online media algorithms work. BUT, when cross-promotion occurs, all of the sudden your brand is able to become visible to people who previously had never seen it before. That expanded reach can provide a real boost to any company marketing strategy.

Sponsoring events helps build relationships and create opportunities.

When many think of the company name behind putting on an event, it becomes easy to forget about all of the real people who comprise that company or who get hired on for the production. Especially in the arts community, having opportunities to perform or showcase the art means so much to those artists and creators that get to showcase their skills.

What this means for our small business sponsors is that all the people involved in putting on the event will have a good impression and a real reason to tell others about what those sponsors made possible. That makes for powerful word of mouth endorsements as family and friends learn about the cool opportunities put together from sponsors generosity and belief in the art, event or skill. 

Being an event sponsor can generate good will toward your brand by showing a desire to give the community something that they will enjoy.  

If you want people to associate your business with positivity and good will, sponsor an entity or event that people care about. By doing this, your brand will become somewhat synonymous with the idea that your company makes an effort to care about public emotions, desires, and community fun. The reality is that humans are psychologically hardwired to care more about people and businesses that appear to care about them as well. Although everyone knows the primary objective of any business or company is to make that money, sponsoring something people hold in their hearts will provide the positive perception that the sponsor chooses to focus on the community as well.

When a sponsorship is done right, everyone in the community can feel the positive effects. Sponsorship opens the door for people to make, create, and promote wonderful things that everyday individuals in the community are able to be a part of and enjoy. Businesses who sponsor get to promote themselves in a positive light by letting others share and spread all the good and opportunities that the sponsorship money made possible. It’s an easy way to make your brand look really good by participating in the growth of others while reaching a bigger audience. How wonderful is it when everyone wins? …

      Yeah, we thought so, too.