Charlotte Nsubuga-Mukasa’s Top Sponsorship Tips

With the rise of social media, athletes around the world are finding ways on how to use their platforms in order to build their brands.

Athletes not only use the platform to interact with their fans but to also raise awareness about themselves in the hopes of securing sponsorship deals.

Charlotte Nsubuga-Mukasa, who is the Head of Brand Marketing at Momentum, shares her tips on how athletes can build their brands in order to attract sponsors:

1.You need to develop a clear and compelling brand identity for yourself:

These include small things such as a unique logo that embodies your values or even build a small micro site if you can afford it, using the free tools you find online. We need to know who you are

2.Build your social media presence:

Use platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and other platforms that still provide free verification because of the people who are following you. We want to see some of your interviews and some of your on and off pitch moments. We want to see the highlights of your life being shared on your personal pages. Who are you targeting with the content you are putting out?

3.Share your accomplishments:

Sponsors want to know what you have achieved in life on and off the field. Tell people what your dreams and aspirations are because all of that matters. You are not just building your brand for today; you are building brand for the next decade. We want to know what matters to you and what you hold dear to you.

4.Make a list of potential sponsors that align with your mission and values:

Look for companies that have a history of supporting women in sports. Also research whether these companies these companies interested in promoting gender equality. In that regard you can develop something that outlines your achievements, goals, uniqueness and your needs. Sponsors want to know how many followers you have and whether you’ve been acknowledged by your peers in any way, shape or form.

5.Be clear about your sponsorship proposal you put together:

Make sure you are clear about the target audience that follow you versus the target audience that you want to acquire through the partnership with the sponsor. Mention all the plans you have to build your brand visibility, for example, if you’ll move from Facebook to Tik Tok. In this proposal you can also mention what women’s sports means to you. We want to know all the good and the bad because contrary to popular belief, we do have hearts as corporate people. We do get moved by people who can’t necessarily articulate themselves but we can see something raw and beautiful inside you.

6.Reach out to the identified sponsors:

You can reach out to these sponsors with your proposal by email or calls but also be prepared to provide additional information if they ask more questions beyond the proposal. Always be deliberate in your actions and be ready for action at any given moment. Remember to always follow up, this shows that you are serious about partnering up with them.

7.Once you’ve secured the sponsorship deal:

Build a strong relationship with them. This includes regular communication such as WhatsApp or even going out for coffee or lunch.  Be sure to always update them on your development because these things matter. Make sure you find someone who can help you with your sponsorship agreement so you understand what it is that you are agreeing too and how you can fulfill your obligations. When you have all of this you can also how to hold your sponsor accountable for their part. Always look to sign up and support any movement that is driving women’s sport forward, such as the #SheOwnsHerSuccess and #OneMoreFan. This will only better the athlete’s success going forward because that’s when the sponsor will want to do more work with you. This will help you generate reoccurring income, making your side hustle a little more profitable beyond the pitch.

Photo 1 Caption: Charlotte Nsubuga-Mukasa, who is the Head of Brand Marketing at Momentum, shares her tips on how athletes can build their brands in order to attract sponsors. Photo: Charlotte Nsubuga-Mukasa (Instagram)