Am I missing something?

Is it me or is it them?

I’m feeling a bit let down at the moment.

You see I’m running these two marketing workshops in March for Not-For-Profit organisations to learn about traditional and innovative marketing ideas.

Attendance fee is $347 for each session. A session runs for 4-hours. Here’s the info http://theideasguy.com.au/workshops

Getting them to sign up has been slow…but this is expected…they have lines of approval to go through and that takes time.

What I didn’t think would be slow was getting my corporate colleagues and friends to sponsor some of the smaller charities to attend. Those ones that just couldn’t afford to do something like this but would benefit greatly. I’ve provided incentives, discounts etc but I can’t do any more…I do need to maker a buck.

So, I’ve been sending out emails asking these people (mainly in medium to large businesses) to take out a sponsorship.

I even put this package together for the bigger companies http://theideasguy.com.au/nfp-sponsorship

The response…Either “No thanks, we’re committed” or none…silence! “No thanks”  I can deal with but  silence, I’m finding hard. Surely the curtesy of a response is the least they can do. They always respond when I email them something that doesn’t involve an ask for dollars.

Maybe I’m missing something. Maybe times really are tough and they can’t bring themselves to having to decline. Maybe my email got spammed…I don’t think so. Maybe they think I’m trying to line my own pockets…I think they know me better than this. Maybe they’re flat out.

So why don’t they respond?

The objective of this post is actually not to answer that question. I’m actually wanting to understand generally why  people don’t communicate. I actually think it’s really rude. When I was Marketing Manager of a large Travel Agency, I used to say to the staff in the store who had a customer phone inquiry…”If you’ve got nothing to tell them (a customer) ring them up and tell them that you’ve got nothing to tell them!” At least the customer knows that you’re looking in to their inquiry.

Anyway, enough of my bleating. What do you think? Be honest. Are my expectations to high?

2 Responses to “Am I missing something?”

1. Will Johnston Says:
   February 14th, 2009 at 4:45 pm

   When you’re making an ask, I don’t think there’s an obligation to respond. You want something. I don’t think they owe you a response. I’ve done some fundraising. People typically only get back to you when they actually make a donation. They don’t usually decline.

2. Matt Says:
   February 14th, 2009 at 4:49 pm

   I think the issue is the price – you are dealing with not-profits and charities – they need to account for where the money goes – to worthwhile projects, rather than to what can be seen as an expensive 1/2 day event.

   Maybe look at repricing to $345 per organisation for up to 4 people. It’s more bums on seats that way. Not costing you any more…and you are ensured of enough heads for no doubt the group dynamic that you will incorporate into your presentations.

   The truth is these sessions are also perceived as client prospecting by the presenter. (Much like those investment seminars. Why pay that much for you to market yourself, for them to retain you, and pay you even more??

   So maybe 4 for $345 and that fee is taken off the first bill if they retain you for more work.

   Thats how I used to do it for my customer service training sessions.

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