Breaking Free from the "Package" Conundrum: Evolving Sponsorships for Lasting Impact

In the ever-evolving landscape of sponsorships, the traditional approach of offering Gold, Silver, and Bronze packages is facing a reckoning. Your sponsorship "Packages" may be just a new name for the outdated tiers of yesteryear, and it's a hard truth that demands attention. 📦👇

At first glance, packaging seems like a logical and efficient idea – a neat way to categorize and present sponsorship opportunities. However, the honeymoon period with this approach is short-lived, and the pitfalls become evident over time. 🔄🕰️

Let's dissect the issues that arise when sticking to the conventional packaging model:

1. Running out of Inventory 📉📦

The allure of packages fades when you find yourself with limited inventory. The rigid structure can hinder flexibility, making it challenging to accommodate varying sponsor needs.

1. Running out of Packages 🚫📦

Just as problematic is the risk of running out of package options that genuinely cater to diverse sponsor goals. A one-size-fits-all approach seldom works in the dynamic world of sponsorships.

1. Stale & Generic Sponsorships 🥱🔄

The inherent risk of packaging is the creation of stale and generic sponsorships. Sponsors crave unique opportunities that align with their brand and engage their audience in innovative ways.

1. Stale & Generic Sponsor Relationships 🤝🔄

Repetitive packages can lead to stagnation in sponsor relationships. Sponsors desire freshness and creativity, not a rerun of the same, uninspiring offerings.

1. Lack of Innovation and Excitement for Your Audience 🎉🚀

Audiences, too, can grow weary of sponsorship predictability. To maintain engagement, sponsors need dynamic and exciting opportunities that capture the audience's attention.

1. Sponsorships that Don't Work for Your Sponsors (THE most important thing on the list) ❌❌

Perhaps the most critical point – if the sponsorship doesn't work for your sponsors, the entire endeavor becomes counterproductive. The very essence of sponsorship is creating value for sponsors, and rigid packages can often miss the mark.

The consequence of sticking to the traditional packaging model?

A return to the realm of being a B2B fundraising department. While effective for revenue generation, it becomes problematic if the model fails to adapt to the changing needs of sponsors.

Packages can inadvertently trap you in the "gray" area between donations and marketing assets. 🤔💰

Moreover, the new packages with different names run the risk of falling into the same, sorry, land of Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers.

This approach is rapidly becoming outdated and repetitive, leaving sponsors yearning for something fresh and distinctive. 🔄🛑

Sponsors and marketers are seeking to "stand out" in their advertising, not blend in with ten other sponsors. They want their brand to shine uniquely, not be lost in a sea of generic offerings. 🌟🔍

The Fix: ⚒

1 - Add 1 Custom (the more, the merrier) Asset to Every Sponsorship Contract: Make this custom asset the "star" of the proposal, offering sponsors a unique opportunity to shine. ⭐📄

2️- Match Custom Assets to 1 Business Objective Learned in Discovery: Tailor each sponsorship to align with specific business goals uncovered during the discovery process. 🎯💡

3️ - Add Packages (Supporting Actors) as an Appendix: Rather than an afterthought, position packages as top-of-funnel branding essentials to complement the unique sponsorship. 📑✨

In conclusion, breaking free from the "Package" conundrum requires a paradigm shift.

Embrace customization, align with sponsor objectives, and relegate packages to a supporting role.

This evolution ensures a sponsorship strategy that not only adapts to sponsors' evolving needs but also creates a lasting impact in the dynamic world of sponsorships. 🚀