Playwright and author Uncle Ebo Whyte shared valuable insights on what creative individuals should consider when seeking sponsorship from corporate entities.
During his keynote address at Joy FM’s Showbiz Roundtable held at the Labadi Beach Hotel on July 29, 2023, Uncle Ebo Whyte provided valuable advice to creative individuals seeking sponsorship from corporate entities.
He emphasized the importance of not only asking for financial support but also going above and beyond in fulfilling their commitments and cultivating positive relationships with their sponsors.
Below are the 10 tips
(1) Don’t always ask for money: Uncle Ebo Whyte intimated event organisers are always looking for money when it comes to sponsorship but things don’t usually work like that in the corporate world.
“Don’t always ask for money. Unfortunately, too many event organizers are always asking for money. There are brands and companies that will want to support your event but may not have money but they may have products. They may have services. So for instance, a hotel may not be able to give you money but may be able to give you space. A hotel may be able to give you some refreshments or rooms. So don’t always look for money,” he said.
(2) Deliver on the terms of the contract: He added that most people ignore the terms of the contract after getting the sponsorship. According to him, when that happens, they shut the door at other brands who would want to to seek sponsorship from the same firms in future.
(3) Learn to massage the ego of your sponsor: The Roverman Production boss said that it is incumbent on organisers of events or content creators to always make the sponsors feel good.
“Don’t ignore them. Don’t treat them as if they are beggars,” he said.
He advised against speaking ill about the sponsors and promoting a competing brand at the event.
(4) Research the company: Knowing what the company seeks and what they stand for is paramount in reaching out to a company for sponsorship. Uncle Ebo Whyte indicated that it is useful to know the company’s audience and objectives before approaching them to grant your request.
He highlighted that some company’s niche may change over time so research is needed to know their state of affairs at every point in time.
(5) Develop a relationship with your potential sponsors: “You must understand that once a company sponsors you, you have become a part of their brand,” he noted while speaking at ‘Showbiz Roundtable.’
Hoe said that once a company sponsors an event or content, they cannot say anything bad about the sponsors, even when they go wrong.
“Always have a pre-event and pre-production meeting with your event. Let them feel part of the event so they know where they fit.
Also have a review session with the sponsors,” he further stated.
(6) Think like the sponsor: One thing Uncle Ebo Whyte also said was the need for the event organiser to put him/herself in the shoes of sponsor. He said it is prudent for them to think about what is important to that person, what they seek and what their mandate is.
(7) Be proactive: Proffering innovative ways of winning the hearts of sponsors, the renowned playwright said sometime it is also better go to the company and suggest events that can help promote their initiatives.
(8) Don’t write any company off when they turn you down: Encouraging people whose proposals may have been shot down by certain corporate bodies, Uncle Ebo Whyte said the fact that they may have been turned today does not mean they should not try their luck another time.
“Remember that a ‘no’ today may be a ‘yes’ tomorrow,” he stated.
Stressing this, he noted that companies’ objectives may change and personnel may also change, making it possible for a deal that was once rejected to be reconsidered later.
(9) Don’t burn bridges: He also advised creative entrepreneurs not to turn their back to any sponsor because they may need them again.
“What has been the case is that most of the executives may find themselves in a different company. They are very mobile,” he added.
(10) Deliver more than promised: Lastly, he admonished the audience to let the sponsor feel that they had more than they signed up for, mentioning that every company needs a platform to position its brand, so once a relationship is established the creative should do well to let them have value for their investment.
