2022 MX Sponsorship Summit: Decks & Proposals

A deck is an attention-getter used to start a conversation and begin developing a relationship with a brand. It can be colorful, eye-catching, include videos, be a website or PDF - essentially visual 'eye candy' that shows how you can help the company. A proposal, on the other hand, is used after a relationship has been established and proposes a specific business relationship with detailed deliverables. It can be a Word document listing exactly what you'll do (logo placement sizes, number of posts, specific campaigns) and can serve as a legal document. The key rule: don't propose to somebody you don't know. Wait until the company knows your name and picks up when you call before sending a proposal.

The biggest mistake is sending the same generic deck or proposal to every company without customization. All panelists emphasized that blanket-sent proposals that aren't personalized show a lack of research and effort. Brands want to see that you understand their company's DNA, brand identity, and what they stand for. They also want to see that you've identified how you specifically fit a need they have. As one panelist noted, 'We expect people when they're asking for money and support that they know who we are.'