How Offering Sponsorships Transformed Our Fundraiser

Offering Sponsorships & Packages on the main ticket portal of The Slovak Ball has boosted the revenues and improved operations of this annual event hosted by the Slovak-American Cultural Center (S-ACC). Whether your organization is for-profit or not-for-profit, effective use of Ticketbarber’s (TB’s) Sponsporships & Packages feature can elevate your event, boost revenues, attract sponsors, and ensure your organization treats these valuable supporters right.

First, a quick history of how S-ACC (www.slovakamericancc.org) used TB’s Sponsorships feature to elevate fundraising, revenues, and sponsor satisfaction. S-ACC is 100% run by passionate volunteers dedicated to promoting Slovak culture and heritage in the U.S. When, several years ago, this modest organization received an incoming email from a supporter wanting to substantially donate towards The Slovak Ball, S-ACC was not adequately prepared to respond. Volunteers questioned whether this was even a legitimate request, rather than spam, or a way to purchase tickets to a sold-out event and then not follow through with the donation. And if the request were in fact legitimate, S-ACC was not prepared to recognize, reward, and thank the sponsor or facilitate the donation. Frankly, S-ACC was inexperienced, and, despite its best intentions, stumbled through the sponsorship process. While it was genuinely thankful for the sponsorship donation, it didn’t adequately recognize the Sponsor or provide him with a premium sponsorship experience.

After researching different platforms and options, S-ACC discovered the Sponsorships & Packages feature on Ticketbarber – a feature which would ensure that the organization would always consider, well in advance, how to attract and treat major community supporters and also make it convenient and enjoyable to support the event.

Using the Sponsorships & Packages feature is very easy to set up and is limited only by one’s creativity. The “Sponsorships” section of the setup menu prompts an Event Organizer (EO) to create and design attractive and fun packages of amenities to offer sponsors. For example, Ticketbarber enables a Sponsorship package to conveniently include tickets to the event itself and automatically emails these tickets to a sponsor upon purchase of a Sponsorship; other ideas of amenities to offer sponsors include the opportunity to advertise a business or be recognized, both online and physically at the event; packages of raffle tickets; choice seating at a ball or in a concert hall; a gift basket filled with unique goodies; coupons to be used towards vendors and food trucks; complementary wine or beer; and an invitation to a private meeting with a performing artist. An effective Sponsorship package creates an upscale experience in return for the sponsor’s generous support of the event. The sky’s the limit in terms of designing an attractive Sponsorship package!

Which leads to the next point: marketing. The names of Sponsorships should be creative and uniquely appropriate to the event and organization, provoking positive vibes and a fun experience for the sponsor. For example, a dog rescue organization’s fundraiser might label three levels of Sponsorships as Chihuahua, Golden Retriever, and Great Dane Sponsor. Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of creative language and stunning visuals when presenting Sponsorships. Each step of the ticketing and sponsoring process reflects the quality of both the event and organization itself. Ticketbarber provides a beautiful platform to offer Sponsorship packages, and, together with an Event Organizer’s creative and thoughtful design of these packages, the event is likely to attract more sponsors than ever before.

Convenience is an often-underappreciated factor crucial in attracting and boosting Sponsorships. By designing thoughtful Sponsorship packages in advance, providing a beautiful platform on which to market them, and offering a convenient button to simply click to immediately sponsor an event, many sponsors who would likely otherwise have simply purchased regular tickets or might not even have attended an event will be inspired to sponsor the event.

Finally, by laying out, in writing, exactly what sponsors are promised, an Event Organizer is reminded to provide the promised amenities associated with a Sponsorship. No longer need an Event Organizer wonder how to thank a sponsor, as this thinking has already taken place well in advance. Furthermore, an Event Organizer is keenly reminded to prepare the package of specified rewards ahead of the event. This forethought and organization significantly improves an organization’s operations.

To the delight of S-ACC, since offering various levels of Sponsorships for its annual Ball, each year, both new as well as recurring sponsors click on the button and purchase a Sponsorship package to demonstrate their support for the event and organization, providing a meaningful boost to event revenues. These are supporters who, if Sponsorships were not attractively and conveniently offered, would not have been presented the opportunity to express their enthusiasm! Interestingly, when potential sponsors have inquired about donations and sponsorships, S-ACC has offered the option to send a check in the mail, and yet, almost all have chosen to click on the Sponsorships button instead. People appreciate the option to study and choose an appropriate Sponsorship package on their own time, the convenience of clicking a button, and the immediate gratification of receiving their Sponsorship confirmation and tickets (if included) via email.

Ticketbarber continues to develop features for Sponsorships & Packages, so stay tuned for more creative and efficient ways to make supporting your organization enjoyable, convenient and fun for both you and your biggest fans! If you have an idea for the Sponsorships feature, please email hello@ticketbarber.com.