Hackathon Organizer Guide
  • Introduction
  • overview
    • What is a Hackathon?
    • What is MLH?
    • MLH Hackcon
    • MLH Community Values
    • Event Types
      • Digital Events
        • Digital Mini Events
          • Marble Races
          • Pokemon Showdown
          • Wiki Races
          • Hacker Hangouts
        • Streamyard
  • General Information
    • Hackathon Timeline
    • Finding the Date and Purpose
    • Build Your Leadership Team
    • Locking Down a Venue
    • Hackathon Budgeting
      • Legal Considerations
    • Getting Sponsorship
      • Introduction to Fundraising
      • Understanding Your Sponsors
        • Evaluating In-kind Sponsorships
      • Potential Sponsor Perks
      • Sponsorship Prospectus
      • The 5-Step MLH Sponsorship Process
      • Cheat Sheet: Emailing Your Sponsors
    • Hackathon Website
      • Making an Accessible Design
      • Placeholder Website
      • Main Website
    • Marketing Your Event
      • Promoting Your Event
        • Marketing Email Template
      • Marketing Goals & Timelines
    • Managing Registrations
      • Registrations
      • Free Registration Tool - OrganizerHQ (OHQ)
      • Sending Reminders
        • Email Templates
      • Check-in Process
    • Event Logistics
      • Hackathon Communication Platform
      • Project Challenges
      • Ordering Swag and Prizes
      • Set Up Your Event
      • Working with Food Vendors
      • Hosting Hackers with Dietary Restrictions
      • Distributing Meals
      • Transportation/Travel Plans
      • Hardware
      • Prepare Your Emergency Plan
    • Judging and Submissions
      • Rules for Your Hackathon
      • Judging Plan
      • Cheating Check
      • Judges Communication and Recruiting
      • Hackathon Submission Portal
        • Using Devpost
        • Using Devfolio
        • Using DoraHacks
    • Hackathon Scheduling
      • Detailed Run of Show
      • Run-Through with the Team
      • MLH Tips and Templates
    • Mentorship
    • Day of Logistics and Hacker Experience
      • Help Desk Recommendations
      • Fun Mini Events
      • Workshops
      • Opening Ceremony
      • Closing Ceremony
    • After the Event
  • Organizer Resources
    • Template Links
    • Getting Support from Others
    • Leadership Resources
    • Marketing Resources
    • Registrations Resources
      • GDPR in Europe
    • Host Exciting Mini-Events
      • Cup Stacking
      • MLH Mini Events
        • WereWolf
        • Slideshow Karaoke
        • !Light
        • MS Paint Bob Ross
    • Keeping Records
    • Software for Hackathons
  • Contributors
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  1. General Information
  2. Getting Sponsorship

Cheat Sheet: Emailing Your Sponsors

We know that emailing sponsors can be difficult. Below is a guide to help craft your initial email.

Your first email should NEVER contain links, hyperlinks, attachments, or images. Many companies have IT policies that automatically trash new external emails with these to prevent phishing. Do not send your sponsorship prospectus, meeting invite link, website link, image in signature, etc. in your first email. Include them in a follow-up message 1-2 weeks after the initial email!

What should you include?

Why?

Example

Details about the event: size, location, dates

These essential details are some of the first things a potential sponsor is looking for.

LoonHacks will be taking place on April 8-10th at Loon University. We expect over 500 hackers this year!

Overview of what a hackathon is

Remember that your audience might not be familiar with what a hackathon is. It’s important to give some context in case they’re new to hackathons.

A hackathon is a weekend-long invention marathon where High School and College students from the New York City area will spend the weekend building awesome projects.

An engaging angle for the sponsor

Connect your sponsor with an element of your hackathon that they'll be familiar with and interested in hearing more about.

I see that you’ve been working with blockchain integration — we are really excited about a blockchain track we’re incorporating into our hackathon!

What makes your event unique

Some companies will be receiving a ton of requests to sponsor hackathons. Briefly tell them what sets your event apart!

As the largest female-centric event in the east, we strive to provide a space to encourage female and non-binary hackers that they belong in the tech community.

Request to chat

Hopping on a phone call to pitch your event will help your potential sponsor get a better idea of how they can work with your event.

I’d love to chat about how LoonHacks and CompanyName can work together! Do you have any availability for a quick phone call next Tuesday at 3 PM EST? If not, I'd be happy to schedule for another time.

An eye-catching subject line

People get a ton of emails.

“LoonHacks and CompanyName Partnership” vs.

"Meet the Best Students in X Town this February"

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Last updated 2 months ago

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