Writing Marketing Proposals for Event Promotions

How I landed a new client with a killer proposal: When I first started freelancing, I had no idea that I had to send out proposals. Let alone what a proposal entailed. Now I’m landing clients thanks to loads of research and doing courses like Eman Ismail’s Like a Boss. A proposal is all about creating a document that sells you. If you’re winging it (like I was) or relying on your natural charm, let me save you some time (and potential lost clients). 𝟭. 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲 You’re not just listing services. You’re selling yourself and addressing every potential objection before it even comes up. Think of it as your highlight reel: 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗢 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮: • 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻: What’s the client struggling with? • 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Why does it matter? • 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: How you’ll fix it. • 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲: What success looks like. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲: • Introduction (brief but punchy: who are you and why should they care?) • Project scope (clear deliverables = no future headaches) • Your process (show them you’ve got a plan) • Client expectations (set boundaries kindly, but firmly) • Timeline (when you’ll deliver, and when they need to deliver their part) • Pricing and options (tiers and upsells. Make it hard for them to say no) • Guarantees (if you offer one, flaunt it) • Next steps (e.g., “Sign here, pay the invoice, and we’re off!”) 𝟮. 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Even if you’ve already had a great chat with the client, write the proposal assuming they’ll forward it to someone who knows nothing about you. This keeps it simple, clear, and persuasive for any decision-maker. • Sprinkle in testimonials or a mini case study for credibility. • Offer 2-3 pricing tiers so their options are between you, you, and you. • Build a reusable template you can tweak for future proposals. Efficiency is your friend. 𝟯. 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 A good proposal doesn’t just sell, it also creates urgency. Keep the momentum going with these steps: • 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆: Tell your prospect when they’ll receive the proposal and stick to it. • 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗶𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: I recommend 7 days. Mention it in the proposal and your follow-ups. Urgency drives action. • 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆: As the expiry date nears, send polite but confident reminders, such as: “Hey, just a heads-up, this offer expires in two days!” • 𝗝𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹: Clarify any in-depth questions on a call to avoid playing email tag. A killer proposal is part strategy, part psychology, and part presentation. Once you nail all three, you’ll be landing the kind of clients you’re actually excited to work with. 

Your event marketing emails aren’t converting …. because they all sound the same. “Unlock insights.” “Power your strategy.” “Join the future of innovation.” What does that even mean? Every event uses the same phrases. It’s generic. They all sound the same. And none of them give readers a reason to click. Or to care. Everything is too conceptual. Make your messaging more concrete. More actionable. Instead of: “A can’t-miss opportunity to network with top leaders.” Try: “Connect with 75+ product and marketing leaders from Salesforce, Figma, and HubSpot over coffee and curated roundtables.” Instead of: “Explore the future of AI-powered customer experiences.” Try: “See how Intercom used AI chat to reduce time to resolution by 13 minutes, then meet the team behind the playbook.” Use the picture test: If your reader can’t visualize what you’re offering, they won’t value it. Before you send your next event promo email, ask: - What exactly will they walk away with? - What speakers, companies, or experiences will they recognize? - What does this event let them do they can’t do elsewhere? Specificity sells. Vagueness doesn’t even get opened. Show them why this event matters. Not just that it exists. With our customers sending millions of emails through Accelevents each month, we get an eye into what's working. And what's not. Open your last invite email. If you wouldn’t RSVP based on it, your buyer won’t either. What's the highest converting subject line you've ever written?

Copywriters: Before you write a single word of copy, make sure you're crystal clear on these 5 crucial questions: This will help ensure your message is clear, compelling, and effective. 1. What is the offer? Clearly define what you are promoting. Is it a product, service, event, or something else? Understand every detail of the offer to communicate its value accurately. 2. Who is the target audience? Identify who you are speaking to. What are their demographics, interests, pain points, and desires? Tailoring your message to resonate with your specific audience is key to capturing their attention. 3. Why should they care? Highlight the benefits and value propositions. Why is this offer relevant to them? How will it solve their problems or enhance their lives? Establishing a strong connection between the offer and the audience's needs is critical. 4. How can they get it? Provide clear and concise instructions on the steps they need to take to get the offer. Whether it's making a purchase, signing up, or any other action, ensure the process is straightforward and easy to follow. 5. How does it work? Explain the mechanics of the offer. How will the product or service be delivered? What can the audience expect after they engage with the offer? Transparency builds trust and reduces any potential friction in the decision-making process. --- Your ability to address these questions throughout your copy will make a HUGE difference in its reception and performance.

How to Craft a Winning Sponsorship Pitch for Your Event Securing event sponsors requires a strategic blend of persuasion, clarity, and mutual value. Here’s how to create a compelling pitch: Key Elements of a Sponsorship Proposal --Eye-catching cover page: Design a visually striking introduction with your event’s name, date, and branding to grab attention. --Personalized sponsorship letter: Address decision-makers directly, highlight shared values, and succinctly explain your event’s purpose. --Event overview: Use vivid language to describe the event’s scale, audience, and unique atmosphere. --Sponsorship benefits: Emphasize brand exposure, audience demographics, and alignment with the sponsor’s goals (e.g., social media mentions, logo placement). --Sponsorship tiers: Offer clear packages (e.g., Gold, Silver, Bronze) with perks like VIP access, speaking opportunities, or exclusive branding. --Audience analytics: Include data on attendee demographics, past attendance, and engagement metrics to showcase reach. --Testimonials/case studies: Feature quotes or success stories from previous sponsors to build credibility. --Terms and timeline: Outline deliverables, deadlines, and legal obligations to set clear expectations. --Call to action: End with contact details, a deadline for response, and a prompt to schedule follow-ups. Pro Tips --Tailor each proposal to the sponsor’s industry and objectives. --Use interactive elements like embedded videos or clickable pricing tables to enhance engagement. --Keep the proposal concise (5–10 pages) and supplement with a detailed sponsorship deck if needed. By focusing on mutual value and professionalism, your pitch will stand out in a competitive sponsorship landscape.