How to Get Sponsored to Go to a Blogging Conference

We get asked a lot about how to get sponsored to go to a conference.  It is a great question and is helpful to know how especially if you don’t quite have to funds to attend but know you would love to be there. Here are some tips for finding a personal sponsor {be sure to read our personal sponsorship policy so you are informed of what is and is not allowed at The Declare Conference}:

First of all, pray about it and ask God to provide for what He has called you to do.  Provision actually means “for the vision.”  So ask Him to provide for the vision He has given you as a blogger.  Also, ask Him to guide you as you plan financially for a conference.

1. Choosing a Business:

Think about the businesses that you have already worked with in the past. Or, if you are new to working with businesses, pick one that you really like and believe in their products or services.  Don’t just settle for working with any business you can get to agree to sponsor you.  Having a sponsor means you will have work to do for them before, during and possibly after the conference. You will want it to be a company you believe in and are motivated to see them be successful in your partnership.

2. Finding the Right Contact:

Many websites will have a press contact email address listed on them.  You can email the press contact or look further for the Marketing Contact. The Marketing contact will usually be the one with the ability to access their budget and make a decision about whether or not to work with you.

3. The Proposal:

Send the company you are interested in working with a proposal.  In it share the conference details, how you believe they will benefit from sponsoring you, share your stats and reach (how many subscribers and fans that you have across all social media networks), what the costs you are asking them to cover are {conference fees, hotel, travel, food or a partial amount} and the details of what you will do in return for them.

Consider a partial sponsorship if a company doesn’t have a budget big enough to cover your entire expenses, maybe they can just sponsor your conference ticket but not your hotel. You could also work with more than 1 sponsor and split the expenses between them.

4. Be Creative

In your proposal, share the ways that you are prepared to promote their company.  Think of interesting and unique ways that you can spread awareness about their brand.  Some ideas are to place the company’s button or ad on your blog sidebar, schedule tweets for them from your account for a certain duration, offer blog posts about them and perhaps even a giveaway, wear clothing at the conference with their logo, co-brand the business card you will hand out at the conference with the company’s logo.

5. Don’t Get Discouraged

A no isn’t the end of the world.  Keep trying with different companies until you find the one that says yes.  Get creative with your ideas and the companies you contact.  Think about what the attendees of the conference will do or need and seek out those types of sponsors.

The Declare Conference appreciates attendee sponsors! Let us know who’s sending you to Declare so we can show them some love! 🙂

Do you have any other ideas or suggestions that worked for you? We’d love to hear them and those hoping for sponsorship would appreciate your tips.  Comment and let us know your thoughts!