If you own a small biz or handle $ for one, I've a question

[rosiebear]

Every swim parent been asked to solicit corporate sponsorships for the swim team from small businesses.  I could ask my gym, one of the guys who works at the gym & runs a race/event business, and another small shop I frequent for these sponosorships.  The sponsorships are available in varying increments, from $250 to $1000.

My question is: do small businesses view requests like this as a good opportunity to get their name out and build community goodwill or just a pain in the butt grab for money they don't really want to spend?  Or something else?  Is there a particular way I could word a request that would make it more appealing? 

[kayakjenn]

I don't own a small business but work every day with people who do. I always ask about the Little League sponsorship plaques and other organizations they seem to sponsor. They all say 1) they have to have a connection through a customer (a parent or family is a customer) 2) they need to have some visibility for sponsoring. Most like to have the opportunity to hand out coupons/flyers to parents and often have a special deal they offer families of players (I work I with Drs and Optical stores.)

[rosiebear]

Thank you for the responses! Very helpful. We do have some visibility to offer them (ads in the swim program, coupon opportunities), and all of the people (all 3 of them, lol) know me well enough as a regular client. I guess I'll screw up some courage and at least ask.

[ax2]

My husband is an electrician and if we were offered as space or visibility somewhere, and you weren't a complete stranger, we'd probably take you up on it.

[zoomzoom]

Honestly, it depends on who's asking. We try to sponsor employee's kids teams when we can but more to support our employees than getting our name out there.