Women business owners, are a fast growing group and finding funding for projects and initiatives in the current economy can sometimes prove challenging, which leads many on the hunt for creative ways to boost revenue. With access to capital being the focus, exploring the possibilities available through corporate sponsorship is a viable option. Sponsorship, when done well can provide an additional income stream for your small business. Being a micro-business does not exclude you from gaining corporate sponsorship. Instead of thinking that your company is too "small" or that sponsorship is for "big" companies and "we cannot offer much value", ask yourself these questions:

1. What exactly is my company’s message or the reason for my project? (Example: My message is empowering teenagers between the ages of 14 -18 years old!)

2. Which companies out there best align with my message? (Example: Educational Brands, Clothing lines..Ice cream and Candy Companies… yes, they have brand messages too :-) ... that list could go on and on…)

3. Who out there would like to meet my tribe? Who would benefit from my audience or my database or advertise on my website?

Once you have answered these questions and identified those people, write a proposal and send them something that will make them think "Great!" by partnering with this project we could generate more business, more visibility for our brand. Keep in mind that seeking sponsorship is not necessarily about asking for the big money upfront, it is about finding your company a new partner that wants to work with you so you both grow and both become more successful. As I regularly say, it is about building strong relationships. Our mantra at MACsWomen is Creativity Over Competition™. Creatively build that bridge to yes!

Ideally, your company and event generate multiple sources of revenue; one important source for many events is corporate sponsorship. Now that you have some defining questions, realize that you are not too small and you have value. Identify those values, your audience, your database, your website and many other options. Take action, get out there and build strong relationships with brands that fit your mission.