Getting sponsors is tough but crucial. Here's how to do it.

 Chances are, your club has no business development. You might have a fund raising committee but they are volunteers. And the big sponsors don't just phone you to ask where to post a cheque.

You need a plan and you need to put it into action.

What can you offer?

Before you start speaking to people, put yourself in the sponsors shoes.

The question most sponsors will ask is: "What's in it for me?"

If you don't know, sponsors are unlikely to do business with you. If you get it right, they will be biting your hand off.

For most clubs, the answer is advertising.

You probably already have some advertising ideas in mind, but these days you have to do more than logos on shirts. Here are some creative ideas:

• Ground, team or event naming rights.
• Ads on your website and social media accounts.
• Ads on your match streaming and highlights.
• Advertising banners in your nets.

The last three are hugely popular with sponsors because you can see the results. You can tell them how many of your players, members and fans saw the ad. It shows them what they get for their money.

You might ask how seeing a banner in nets can be traceable. Easy. With PitchVision in your nets you are grabbing video for analysis anyway. Publish highlights of net sessions on your social media pages and count the views!

(Plus the coach will be very happy that the PV system is paying for itself with sponsorship money so they can use it!)

How to find potential sponsors

All clubs have a large pool of potential sponsors waiting: the organisations your members work for. Ask and then start making calls with your plan ready to deliver.

You can also tap into other places that members frequent: Where do your members drink regularly? What brewery do these pubs use? Where do you shop?

This list can get very long, very quickly. That's good, because every one has the potential to be a sponsor if you give them the right reasons.

You can even expand your search to big companies. This will take more digging to find the right company and the right contact, but large organisations tend to put public facing contact details out there if you look. Add them to the list.

How to turn potential into money

There is one rule to turning your list into cash.

Be prepared to ask.

Most people are frightened of being told "no" or are worried that asking may affect their relationship.

This is exactly the way you get nothing from your efforts. Instead, think of it as good news you want to tell people. You're giving them exposure, you're helping their bottom line and helping them feel good about supporting local sport!

Have a strong, eye catching proposal to back you up and you will stand out. But, the key is still to just start asking with professionalism and confidence.

Don't fear the rejection.

For every acceptance you are going to get rejected many times over. This is not a personal rejection. Organisations might not have the money, they might not like cricket, you might just get someone in a bad mood that day!

Spend time on contacting people, move on if you get a "no". Start talking to people if you get some interest.

Don't stop there!

This plan will get you more sponsors than you ever get just waiting and hoping. But, don't stop there.

Sponsors are hard to get. Don't lose them by failing to look after them. Honour your side of the agreement. Keep them informed on a regular basis. Give them credit for what they have done for you. Get them involved in what you are doing.

A good sponsor will help a club for many years to come if you treat them right.

Good luck.