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The 6 keys to finding and landing partnerships as women in sports

her Soul Shot
May 15, 2023

Women’s sports are on the rise and so is the investment in women’s sports. People and companies are (finally) realizing what we’ve always known: women in sports are valuable and a smart investment. Whether you’re an athlete at any level, running a business or league in the women’s sports space, or focused on partnerships/sponsorships for women’s sports these 6 keys to finding and landing partnerships as women in sports will help you get it done!

GETTING WOMEN IN SPORTS PAID: PARTNERSHIPS AND SPONSORSHIPS

Our Take Your Shot Series is designed to give women the tools to take their shot in sports and life. Our first segment features herCommunity member and sponsorship consultant Liza-Smith Vedder. In this 2-hour conversation, Liza helps women in sports get paid by sharing:

The harmful narrative around the lack of investment in women’s sports and why it’s important not to buy into it
The basics of sponsorships and partnerships
How to approach potential partners/sponsors (including exactly what to say and include in your communication)
The dos and don’ts of reaching out
The keys to finding and landing partnerships and/or sponsorhips
The world of sponsored content and influencers
Why nos are a good thing
The psychology of why people say yes and how to get more yeses
Feeling more confident in selling and inviting people into what you’re doing

Want to watch the full segment and get access to upcoming resources like pitch templates, sponsorship guide and more? Join herCommunity as a Pro or Rookie level to get access to this segment and so much more!

Get 50% off your first year (as low as $4 per month) PLUS give Liza a kickback of your membership fees to say thanks for the info by using code “SheSaidHockey50” at checkout!

JOIN HERE!

The 6 keys to finding and landing partnerships as women in sports

1. IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS

The first step is figuring out what you need from potential partners/sponsors. Your needs can be anything from financial support to t-shirts and discounted accommodations for your team to free product you use regularly and anything in between.

Create a spreadsheet with everything you need so you’re aware of what you’re asking for when reaching out to potential partners.

2. DEFINE THE ASSETS YOU HAVE + YOUR BANDWIDTH TO EXECUTE

What do you have to offer in return? These offers can be brand visibility, social media promotion, aligning with the women’s sports space, skill set trades, and so much more. Think outside of the box when listing the assets you have to offer.

While thinking of what you have to offer, make sure you’re also being realistic with your bandwidth to execute the offer so you don’t overextend yourself.

3. CREATE A SIMPLE ASK AROUND THOSE THINGS

Using what you’ve determined in the first two steps, solidify the ask you want to make from potential partners so you can initiate communication with a solid game plan for them right off the bat. While there will always be room for conversation and negotiation, it’s important to start with a solid ask rather than making your potential partner brainstorm for you.

Pro tip: Use the 5-step communication approach for potential sponsors in Liza’s TYS segment

4. MAKE A TARGET LIST

Create a spreadsheet with all the potential partners you can reach out to. Again, it’s important to think outside of the box here and not just include the obvious partners. Companies and people want to be invited in to what you’re doing so they can be a part of it – who can you invite in?

5. REACH OUT TO YOUR TARGET LIST

Start reaching out to your target list with your ask.

Pro tip: Make sure you’re following the dos and don’ts of reaching out to potential partners discussed in Liza’s TYS segment

6. CREATE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE OUTREACH PROCESS

Keep track of who you’ve reached out to and make sure you’ve got a plan for accountability, whether it’s for yourself or the team you’ve asked to help you. Without this step to ensure you’re reaching out and following up with the right people, the other steps are meaningless.

Pro tip: Create goals around activity, not results!