EASY WAYS TO FIND BUSINESS PARTNERS!

Today I received an email question looking for some tips on how to approach businesses for help on fundraising projects. That really is a great question and I'm so glad she asked. Every group struggles with this issue so I thought I'd share my note back to her in hopes it might help some others too. (Note: I'm assuming she meant partner-help, not just a small financial donation, so I've answered from that standpoint.)

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Hi (private), that’s a great question, and you aren’t alone in your struggles with it. Let me see if I can give you some ideas. First, you need to decide if you are contacting a business owner cold? Or is there some connection to your group? Such as, a parent, grandparent, uncle, neighbor, church member, etc.

Naturally it is easier if you have some connection in common, but we’ve made successful agreements with many business owners with whom the group had NO connection at all other than we lived in the same town. So let’s assume you DON’T have any human connection to act as a bridge between your group and the business.

Next, think about whether you might have something else in common? Like a product or service, a need or a cause? Here are some examples so you know where I’m headed with this. Do both you and this business have hobbies or interests in common? (antique cars, working with the elderly, live in the same neighborhood, are supporters of marathons, support a particular charity?) Often the biggest part of securing a relationship with a business owner is finding that ONE thing you have in common so take a few weeks, if necessary, and really scour every possibility. Now - worst case scenario - let’s assume you don’t know anyone and you can’t think of any hobbies, etc. in common.

Then think about your WHY and that might give you some ideas? WHY do you think they’d be a good partner with your organization? There must be something that led you to that particular establishment. Once you know what it is, THAT is your key! For instance, let’s say your group is very family-oriented. Make a list of all businesses in town that are also
‘family-oriented’.

Get a tablet and just start brainstorming. Here are some ideas: child care centers, children’s consignment shops, clothing stores, medical clinics, pediatricians, dentists, drycleaners, furniture stores, etc. I suggest getting a phone book, a cold drink and your tablet and go ‘park your keister’ for a few hours and slowly go through each business name in the phone book. Make a note of every business that you think has lots of families for customers. So now that you have this LONG list of specific businesses that cater to families, THAT may be your key if your organization is very family-oriented.

Next, you need to realize that nearly every business owner will agree to help you, to some extent or another, if you can show him/her how the partnership will BENEFIT them? More business, free advertising, tax deduction, etc.

Then begin to outline a casual presentation, introducing your group, explain what you both have in common, what you need, how they can help and how YOUR GROUP can help them in return. That’s the key! Oh yes, one more thing - be sure that whatever you ask for is reasonable and appropriate for the size and success of the business you are soliciting. For example, if you are asking for a business to help buy your cheerleaders all new uniforms (big bucks!!), make sure you are targeting a large enough business to afford it. Don’t approach the corner mom-and-pop fruit stand that only works a few months out of the year. See what I mean?

Don’t forget, you can also ask businesses to team up TOGETHER to help you reach your target goal. Ask two, three or even four businesses, if necessary, depending on how big financially your request is. Be considerate of who you ask to team up. Don't ask a church to partner with a liquor store. Make sure each business is not only compatible but complimentary is even better, because they'll continue to make business off each other down the road. Partners such as a pediatrician's office and a children's clothing store, or a pet store with a doggie day care or grooming business, see?

Finally, make sure what you promise them, in exchange for their help, has a super-big WOW factor for their business! Let’s say you get Business #1 to donate new uniforms and Business #2 to donate new cleats or gloves for the team. Then think about asking Business #3 if you could hang a large 'Thank You' banner on the side of their building, on the wall that faces the largest intersection on main street. Be sure to include all THREE businesses in the Thank You. Believe me, all three businesses will get tons of comments and probably some new customers when others around town see that giant banner!

There are lots of other ways to partner with businesses, but I hope this is enough to get you started. Don’t forget - make sure what you are asking for is fair to the size of the business - and - what you promise them in return has a WOW punch to it!

Keep me posted and I’m wishing you Ultimate Fundraising Success,

Sherie Smith
Fundraising Designer
http://fundraisingsuccessjournal.blogspot.com
http://fundraisingdesigner.tumblr.com
http://3hourstofundraisingsuccess.com

PS - If you haven't signed up for my FREE fundraising minicourse, I urge you to do that. You'll find tons of suggestions on partnering with businesses in the course.

IDEAS FOR FUNDRAISING - HOW YOU REALLY FEEL!

If you feel the same way, you absolutely MUST get my FREE FUNDRAISING course, 'Ultimate Fundraising Success'. Just click on the green book over there on the right. Then tell me first name and where to deliver your copy. During the course, I share my personal strategies of turning most ANY event into a virtual CASH COW! Request it today - it's FREE!

Sherie Smith
The Fundraising Designer

NASHVILLE'S ENTERTAINERS BECOME HEROES THEMSELVES!

Many heroes have come out of the recent flood disaster in Nashville.  Unless you live here and see photos of places in this city that could NEVER possibly have flooded...actually under another 12' of water, you simply cannot fathom the impossibility of such an occurrence and how fast it happened.  Some people had mere minutes to grab a few things and dash for the second floor.  

Story after story have emerged about local heroes that have stepped up to assist or even save lives.  Some heroes pulled people from their cars as flood waters came in the other window.  One was an 'angel on a jetski' that snatched a woman and her dog  away to safety just seconds before the flooded home exploded into nothingness.  But another story emerges that few people can grasp - that is the story of Nashville's entertainers. 

So many of them suffered damage to their personal homes in addition to losing sound equipment, instruments and stage equipment.  Several of these musicians were just days away from embarkng on their summer tours.  Frantically, staff and musicians are struggling daily to replace or rebuild what was destroyed in the flooding.  Many people would prefer to make a joke about Nashville musicians because it's easier to laugh at someone you think falls into a certain stereo type. 

But in the last week alone, at least two benefit concerts have been held by these same Nashville entertainers.  Not because they were paid big money - they weren't.  But because Nashville takes care of it's own.  Both events combined raised over $3,000,000 (yes, that's three million dollars).  Some entertainers performed with just their guitar and their voice, or just a piano and their voice. 

Keith Urban shared with the audience that this was the second  time he has been flooded.  The first was when he was a little tot in Australia, but he can easily recall the fear and impact it had on his family. Nashville, his adopted city, was the second time.  He and his wife, actress Nicole Kidman, did have damage at their own place in addition to most of Keith's equipment, staging and instruments being lost when the Cumberland River overflowed it's banks and surged in Nashville's Historic Riverfront District.  Many other musicians, besides Keith Urban, lost instruments and equipment from that downtown storage location.  Still his heartfelt performance touched the soul of everyone in attendance and watching on television and lifted Nashville's residents even higher.

Entertainers often get a bad rap, but there were no egos on stage last night at the Ryman.  Respect and appreciation for Nashville's beloved entertainers, taking their time to volunteer to man the phone bank and/or perform, seeped through every pixel on that screen.  People outside of the 'country music' genre simply cannot understand the heart behind Nashville.  Nashville is part strong pioneer woman and part gentile southern belle.  No matter what part of her you see, you will soon discover that Nashville is steadfast and fearless.  We don't wait for the National Guard to come rolling in.  We roll up our sleeves and start doing whatever needs to be done, either for ourselves and for others.

A special thank you to every entertainer who donated time or talents to this flood relief fund.  Another special thank you to those living outside of Tennessee who decided to open their hearts and donate. May your lives be rich beyond measure and your days on this earth be long!  I have a personal motto that goes like this:  'You never know how far your arms will reach - until you open up your heart'.  No matter how far away you live, your heart reached Nashville this week - and we sincerely thank you.

With a grateful heart,

Sherie Smith

NASHVILLE FLOOD DISASTER

Nashville is slowly reemerging from beneath the Cumberland River, one foot at a time. The river has now receeded back inside it’s banks in many places. It still leaves behind water everywhere it is not supposed to be. Nashville has millions and millions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses, schools and historical buildings that simply cannot be replaced. The Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Opryland hotel all received serious damage. Priceless instruments will never give joy again and bless the ears of listeners. But most important loss are the precious lives lost. Tennessee has now lost 21 souls, as of the last count.

This flood has also touched my family personally. My cousin is stranded in a hilltop house outside of Nashville, along with several other area families. The flood waters rose so fast they could not get out of their road. Their only resort was to climb to the highest home in the area. A helicopter now brings in prepared meals, water and medical supplies. There is no electricity and no plumbing. Two boys in a kayak also brought water. My cousin is a retired heart surgery nurse so she and two others in the area provide medical care by boat for 175 others that are stranded in the area. Did you read that? By boat - the only way to reach these people now is by boat! I’m so proud of Myrna and her dedication and courage. She is one of many Nashville angels!

There is also the story of the lady whose beautiful brick home was completely surrounded by water. No vehicles could go in or out. Suddenly she smelled smoke and realized her home was ablaze. Frantically calling 911 on her cell, she realized no one could come. No one could reach her and her small dog because of the flooding. She kept asking herself silently, ’Burn to death or drown?’ ‘Burn to death or drown?’ Suddenly she saw a jet-ski coming toward her. The man had seen the smoke and came out of curiousity. When he saw the flames in her garage and two vehicles in the fire path, he quickly maneuvered the jet-ski closer and motioned that she jump. With her small dog tucked under her arm, she jumped onto the back of his jet-ski, clasping tightly to her new-found angel. Less than 20 seconds later, they heard and felt the blast as her home was destroyed. Twenty seconds … death was so close. A curious bypasser had saved the lives of a stranger and her dog. Nashville has a big heart and she has many stories of heroism and selflessness in this flood, and more stories come in daily.

Would you like to be a hero? Several Nashville artists have shared their talent in designing  memorial t-shirts to benefit the ’hands-on’ daily rescue and care of victims in the Nashville's hardest hit areas. Please check out this site. You can see who will benefit from your generosity and kindness. Here’s the link: Nashville Flood Rescue Funds

So night spots along Nashville’s Historic Riverfront are beginning to open again. The Nashville Symphony lost two beautiful grand pianos to the flood. But this weekend, the tears will dry, and the symphony will play again! They will provide a free outdoor concert on Nashville’s downtown square - everyone is welcome! Albeit it slow, Nashville is beginning to ‘sing’ again. 

Blessings to all angels and heroes,

Sherie Smith 
The Fundraising Designer

email: fundraisingdesigner@gmail.com
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/sheriesmith

About Sherie Smith: 
Sherie Smith shows people how to achieve the Ultimate Fundraising Success in her free multi-part minicourse which can be found at: http://www.3hourstofundraisingsuccess.com. Her newest book, '3 Hours to Fundraising Success', a step-by-step copycat manual to the '$4,500 in 3 Hours' project, will be released in 2010.

Copyright Sherie Smith - All Rights Reserved

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