I figured this would be a good place to park them.
Greetings, all.
I have a number of ideas about securing sponsorships or
donations for the trip to Poland
For those who do not know me, I am Master Liam St. Liam, an
East Kingdom Pelican, who has worked royal reigns for at least two team
members.
Mundanely, I am Bill Toscano. I am the managing editor at a
group of small, local weekly newspapers on the New York/Vermont border. I have
been in the business for 30 years, and I am a teacher when I am not a
journalist.
These are just ideas. You do not *have* to listen to me. God
knows, Lucan and Andreas didn’t always listen to me. Fast Eddie *never* listens
to me.
To me, publicity is critical. Not all of these suggestions
will result in funds right away, but I believe they will put you out in the
public eye.
1. Put together a press packet. This won’t be just for the press. It will
also be for potential sponsors.
Start with three photos, you fighting in good armor, you
posing in good armor and a head-and shoulders shot of you in the good armor
without a helm. If you know someone with a digital SLR, that’s the best way to
go. Save them at the highest resolution you can.
Write a letter of introduction. Include your mundane name,
where you work, your SCA or Medieval fighting name and background in Medieval
fighting and re-enactment. (Note: I realize this is not an SCA “thing,” but I
think mentioning what you have done in the SCA is important).
Then hit them with something to the effect of, “My passion
for Medieval fighting is going to lead me to Poland
Write about the team and what you’re going to be doing and
include a link to the video of the first 15 minutes of Battle of Nations.
Put it all together, have it proofread, and get ready to
send it.
2. Determine your best bet for local newspapers. I would be
glad to help advise on that. For daily papers, get the name and email for the
city editor. For weeklies, the editor is the best way to go.
Also see if there is a Patch.com or other hyper-local
internet site covering your area.
Part of this will hinge on where you live. If you’re in a
big city, you may have more choices.
3. Expand your approach to local civic groups.
Find contact information for the local Rotary, Lions, etc.
Heck, you may be *in* one of these groups.
Let them know you are available to speak at meetings about
your trip to Poland
At the very least, you will get a free meal and a coffee mug
or pen. If you’re lucky, they may pass the hat or you might get a sponsorship
inquiry.
3. Do at least one or two school visits. Money is unlikely
here, but again your name gets out, the newspaper may come, and you never know.
The library youth group is also another opportunity. Also, Boy Scouts and Girl
Scouts will love every minute of it. They might even make a donation.
4. If you are in the VFW or American Legion, you might want
to pass the word there. Think about any community groups you are in.
5. Set up a PayPal account. Write a post about why you are
going and post it to whatever social-networking sites you use and ask folks to
pass it along. I know some of you won’t want to do this, but some will, and I
can tell you from Special Olympics Polar Plunge fund-raising, it works.
I will come up with other ideas as we go along, and I have
been mulling over the answer to “What benefits do I get from sponsoring you” for
when potential sponsors ask.
In service,
Liam
