Partnerships
Partnerships provide many benefits, such as promoting your event to a new audience. You may have some partnerships in place already – with certain organisations, services, local networks, venues etc. or you may want to develop some specifically for your event.
Some points to consider when establishing partnerships:
Identify what you are trying to achieve
- Do you want to link with other venues or events locally, and start signposting local audiences to each other’s events?
- Do you want to grow a new audience demographic – for example work with small children? If so, you may want to forge partnerships with people already working in this area.
What you can offer/what you can ask for
Partnerships need to be mutually beneficial so make sure that the perceived value of what you offer matches what you ask for.
Ideas include:
- Coverage in print communications (flyers/posters, etc.)
- Coverage on website
- Promotion on social media
- Access to third party database
- Coverage on e-newsletters
- Branding at venue/event
Identify your potential partners, including:
- A media partner - This can bring significant mutual benefits, such as access to each other’s audiences. Talk to them about what they would like to achieve and how you can access their audience.
- A venue - A venue could provide you with press contacts, access to their mailing list, inclusion in their programme as well as knowledge of the potential audience.
- Other London Borough of Culture Participants - Linking with other LBOC participants is vital – you can share knowledge, good practice, audiences and marketing distribution.
Establish mutual communication
- Allow time to create your relationship. Have meetings early on to establish a joint campaign. Learn about each others’ work.
- Be flexible! Flexibility of time and objectives are key to a successful partnership.
Establish Time and budget for all partners
- Agree your timelines and any projected costs that may be incurred so you can set expectations