Does Event Sponsorship Really Work and How Do You Choose the Right Kind?
Sponsorship is key to elevate and promote brands, as well as for the growth of a business. However, the right kind of sponsorship is crucial to ensure that your marketing budget is allocated wisely. There are two types of company when it comes to budget allocation. The first usually denotes a large business, which plans ahead (often at least 12 months in advance) and the second are those smaller businesses, who can afford to be a little more spontaneous with their marketing spends.
Do Your Research
Attracting the right kind of business from your sponsorship is essential for all business types, be it small or large. Much will depend upon how you wish people to perceive your brand. Sponsoring a late-night party with acrobats and models may not suit a company who provides banking facilities, in equal measure, a cam site trying to attract new models may not gain much from sponsoring the lanyards at a B2B event.
Understanding the event is the most important aspect, particularly finding out whether it is purely B2B, or mainly B2C. If you are looking to keep up with the latest trends and industry news, then an event which has a lot of seminars and speakers is fundamental to your choice. Take a good look at previous reviews for events and speak to others about their experiences of the individual events.
Follow speakers and events on social media and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The more informed you are, the more benefits you’ll receive.
Global Metrics
The location is also important, as companies will have different interests in the global market. If the event is based in the US and they have no business in that part of the world, they will not want to sponsor. However, if they are looking to expand into different economies, they might be interested in some of the larger events in other areas.
It’s important to have the right kind of information for companies who need to provide key metrics for budgeting. The marketing team will need to be convinced that the finance is being spent in the right areas. If the business is looking for new customers in the US, there is little point in spending on a B2B event in the EU. By the same token, if the event coverage is primarily in the EU, the US division will have virtually zero interest in participating.
If your business requires your sales and marketing team to reach out to new business, then having a booth or a stand is extremely important, as it allows attendees to find you easily. Flyers and business cards are crucial to ensure everyone can take something away with them for future reference.
What Kind of Swag Works?
You should provide swag which associates with your business and branding wherever possible. T-Shirts and Caps are great for promoting your logo or brand, but pens, notebooks and mousepads can often provide a more personal and direct connection (as they are normally placed in or around the workspace).
If you have a more Adult orientated brand, then think about the fact that a relatively large proportion of your swag won’t appear in public. It’s certainly true that more corporate brands tend to offer swag that is more commercial. Banking and payment companies for example might offer power banks, or card protectors. Whereas cam studios and dating sites prefer T-Shirts and Caps.
Providing worthwhile items do tend to be more noteworthy and provide your clients and potential customers with a meaningful reminder of your business.
The Importance of Being Ready
Ensure that your business plans align with the expectations. There is little point in spending on sponsorship, if you can’t handle the new business it will bring. Consider splitting your team so that only your top salespeople attend the conference, leaving enough staff ‘in the office’ to deal with the possible new business. This attention to detail will be appreciated and allow the focus on your new clients to be maintained 100%.
Ensuring that your salespeople take notes of all the relevant details surrounding the potential new business is an absolute must, especially when the event has 100’s or thousands of attendees. Notebooks or tablets are a great way to keep tabs on meetings and make summaries for future reference. You may think that you are going to recall everything you discussed but even after a couple of hours, you’ll be surprised how it all starts to meld!
Making Your Plans Crystal Clear
Business plans and schedules are crucial to ensure smooth running and correct budgeting. That doesn’t mean to say that plans cannot be altered but it does mean that at least 75% to 80% should be defined well ahead of time. The larger the company, the further into the future they forecast and plan. If things go well during the first quarter of your financial year, then you can always look to increase the budget for the second and third quarter. However, if things don’t work out as well as anticipated and you have no schedule, you cannot revise moving forward. It’s all too easy to overspend (especially in areas that do not bring benefits). Every event should have a cost plan and post event a summary which contains your profit and loss.
Some of the benefits may not be apparent right away as leads have to followed up and the real business done but you should have a fair idea of how many potential leads, customers and new business you have obtained. Take stock and be prepared!
Contact PayOutMag for more information on sponsoring events in your area.
The 3. Edition about Affiliate Management in cooperation with Affpal. In this episode we talk about incents that Affiliates prefer to stay motivated. Need more free education about Account management? Check out the Affpal YT channel https://www.youtube.com/@affpal
What are affiliate incents?
The biggest motivation for the jobs of an affiliate is besides the freedom that comes with it, also the big earning opportunities. That’s a pretty straightforward agreement between the affiliate and the program or network. Nowadays that is often not enough, and that is when incents come into play. These are special agreements that are given out to certain affiliates or even all affiliates for extra motivation. In this article we look at the different types of options and what works best for what affiliate types.
-Employed Affiliates
15 years ago when I started, the vast majority of Affiliates were self-employed. That is nowadays quite different. There are no statistics around about how many people are sending traffic that works independently and how many are employed, but by looking into the statistics of Masters in Cash (https://www.mastersincash.com) I would say it’s pretty balanced. Employed Affiliates are part of media buyer teams, traffic Managers of networks, Advertiser Managers, and some more combinations of all of that. Often the incentive is money and this does not work here as a big kicker!
When you make an incent that is money-based, the bonus is paid to the affiliate itself which is the company. So it does not arrive directly as a benefit to the person working for that affiliate. Yes, in many cases they get a cut from the bonus, but that’s often very small or not even applicable for example if other KPIs are not reached or there is not even a commission or bonus system set up. It’s different when you are giving out gadgets. Gadgets can be shipped directly to the person on the other side. Usually, they are allowed to keep it. I saw here everything happening from 50 € Amazon vouchers to 12000 € Hublot watches. So my recommendation for the extra motivation for these partners is to have items or vouchers.
Another popular incent is events and trips. It is getting more and more popular and usually, it’s also the person in charge that is sent and not the company owner or the CEO. If you are reading this as an employed affiliate, I would always recommend speaking with your supervisor about everything you receive. Also don’t win content on costs of the company, at the end of the day, they pay your salary.
-Self Employed Affiliates
It’s usually a 1 man show or a small team, where the owner deals directly with the program or network. As they operate on their own money, often with small margins, money is often their main motivation. A full-time Affiliate should be able to buy the phone that they want to have and don’t need a partner to send it over. Often the items are even sold or just gifted away without having a direct motivating impact. Here we can differentiate between different methods to scale them with incents:
-Bonus: A certain amount is added for every conversion or on the total payout. That can be either done from the first event or with a certain target that needs to be defined. From my experience, newer partners prefer to have a small bonus from the first lead or € and older partners are ok with a higher bonus connected to certain targets.
-Special offers: Great offers and exclusivity make usually more money for a partner than just a bonus. Keep Affiliates motivated to give them offers firsthand before others or create exclusive landers or even Offers for them. Keep in mind that you should not use Affiliates as Guinea pigs with offer types that have no proven track record.
-Access to special promotion methods. Some promotions like API are connected with a bigger workload or even risk for the Advertiser. Grant Affiliates access to special methods to keep them motivated. This video here gives quite some good insights into the Affiliate’s Mind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guif8ISB6wE)
-Better Payout Frequency. Especially for Media buyers, the cash flow can be a critical factor. Many programs or networks pay out Monthly with Net30 on top of that. In the worst case, the affiliate has to wait 60 days to get the money. Change that for extra motivating trusted affiliates. The frequency should be defined by your business model (risk and your cash flow) and the trust you have in the affiliate. Often you “lose” affiliates to networks just because they offer a more attractive payout frequency.
-Insights and Time: Giving insights to the affiliate about details can be a total game-changer. Keep your best partners live with you and motivated to scale with insights. That can be related to your offers but also feedback about market changes. Invest time to develop landers for the affiliates that match his style and traffic perfect
-Experiences and Events: Affiliates spent 1000s of € on Education and Masterminds (I wish Affiliate Managers would do the same on my courses lol) form a circle of elite affiliates and bring them together for partnership and masterminds. This elite group of partners will be a desirable place to join.
You can see that many of the mentioned methods for individual affiliates would be also to a certain degree motivating for employed affiliates. At the end of the day, it’s also your job as a professional affiliate manager to find out what keeps them connected to you. You can test the water with a so-called Lead Rallye as well. Here you give out the same bonuses or prices for all affiliates public. Play around with different contests and see what matches the majority of your best partners.
Good luck scaling your partners to the moon. If you have more questions? Hit us up at info@affpal.net
As remote work continues to become an integral part of many organizations, managers find themselves navigating a landscape filled with both opportunity and challenge. The shift to working from home has transformed conventional workplace dynamics, making it essential to develop new approaches to monitor staff performance and conduct. The challenge lies not only in ensuring productivity but also in fostering a culture of trust and accountability that encourages employees to thrive in a virtual environment. Striking the right balance between oversight and autonomy is crucial, and it starts with setting clear expectations from the outset.
One of the most effective ways to monitor performance in a remote setting is by establishing clear expectations. This involves outlining specific goals, deadlines, and performance metrics for each role. By creating a shared understanding of what success looks like, employees are empowered to take ownership of their work. Regular check-ins, whether weekly or bi-weekly, can provide opportunities for managers to discuss progress, address challenges, and recalibrate objectives if needed. This proactive communication builds a sense of accountability and encourages open dialogue, which can lead to a more engaged and productive workforce.
In the digital age, technology offers valuable tools for monitoring performance without being invasive. Project management platforms like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com can help track individual and team progress on tasks. Additionally, team collaboration tools such as Slack or Microsoft Teams facilitate instant communication, ensuring that employees remain connected to their colleagues. While these tools are beneficial for oversight, it’s essential to use them judiciously. Managers should be mindful not to create a culture of micromanagement, focusing instead on the outputs rather than the hours logged. By emphasizing results, employees can maintain a sense of autonomy while still being held accountable for their contributions.
Trust is the foundation of successful remote work. Establishing an environment where staff feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns is essential for monitoring conduct and performance. Regular one-on-one check-ins provide a personal touch, allowing managers to gauge employee morale, discuss challenges, and celebrate achievements. These conversations can also uncover underlying issues before they escalate, ensuring that employees feel supported and valued. Additionally, fostering an open communication policy encourages staff to seek guidance or communicate their workload, ultimately reducing the burden on management and promoting a more positive workplace culture.
To effectively monitor staff performance, it’s vital to recognize and reward employees for their hard work and contributions. Recognition can take many forms—whether it’s a shout-out in a team meeting, a personalized email of appreciation, or even formal awards for outstanding performance. Celebrating successes not only boosts morale but also reinforces the behaviors and accomplishments that align with company values. Furthermore, implementing regular feedback mechanisms helps employees understand their strengths and areas for improvement, guiding them towards personal and professional growth and driving overall team performance.
Monitoring staff performance and conduct in a remote environment is a balancing act that requires empathy, communication, and the right tools. By setting clear expectations, leveraging technology, fostering trust through open dialogue, and recognizing achievements, managers can create a supportive atmosphere that empowers employees while still holding them accountable. As remote work continues to evolve, the focus should not solely be on oversight but rather on building a culture that values collaboration and individual contributions. Ultimately, empowering staff in their work-from-home experience can lead to enhanced performance, increased job satisfaction, and a more resilient organization as a whole.
The New Normal of Remote Work
As remote work continues to become an integral part of many organizations, managers find themselves navigating a landscape filled with both opportunity and challenge. The shift to working from home has transformed conventional workplace dynamics, making it essential to develop new approaches to monitor staff performance and conduct. The challenge lies not only in ensuring productivity but also in fostering a culture of trust and accountability that encourages employees to thrive in a virtual environment. Striking the right balance between oversight and autonomy is crucial, and it starts with setting clear expectations from the outset.
Establishing Clear Expectations
One of the most effective ways to monitor performance in a remote setting is by establishing clear expectations. This involves outlining specific goals, deadlines, and performance metrics for each role. By creating a shared understanding of what success looks like, employees are empowered to take ownership of their work. Regular check-ins, whether weekly or bi-weekly, can provide opportunities for managers to discuss progress, address challenges, and recalibrate objectives if needed. This proactive communication builds a sense of accountability and encourages open dialogue, which can lead to a more engaged and productive workforce.
Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Visibility
In the digital age, technology offers valuable tools for monitoring performance without being invasive. Project management platforms like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com can help track individual and team progress on tasks. Additionally, team collaboration tools such as Slack or Microsoft Teams facilitate instant communication, ensuring that employees remain connected to their colleagues. While these tools are beneficial for oversight, it’s essential to use them judiciously. Managers should be mindful not to create a culture of micromanagement, focusing instead on the outputs rather than the hours logged. By emphasizing results, employees can maintain a sense of autonomy while still being held accountable for their contributions.
Fostering Trust Through Open Communication
Trust is the foundation of successful remote work. Establishing an environment where staff feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns is essential for monitoring conduct and performance. Regular one-on-one check-ins provide a personal touch, allowing managers to gauge employee morale, discuss challenges, and celebrate achievements. These conversations can also uncover underlying issues before they escalate, ensuring that employees feel supported and valued. Additionally, fostering an open communication policy encourages staff to seek guidance or communicate their workload, ultimately reducing the burden on management and promoting a more positive workplace culture.
Recognizing and Rewarding Performance
To effectively monitor staff performance, it’s vital to recognize and reward employees for their hard work and contributions. Recognition can take many forms—whether it’s a shout-out in a team meeting, a personalized email of appreciation, or even formal awards for outstanding performance. Celebrating successes not only boosts morale but also reinforces the behaviors and accomplishments that align with company values. Furthermore, implementing regular feedback mechanisms helps employees understand their strengths and areas for improvement, guiding them towards personal and professional growth and driving overall team performance.
Monitoring staff performance and conduct in a remote environment is a balancing act that requires empathy, communication, and the right tools. By setting clear expectations, leveraging technology, fostering trust through open dialogue, and recognizing achievements, managers can create a supportive atmosphere that empowers employees while still holding them accountable. As remote work continues to evolve, the focus should not solely be on oversight but rather on building a culture that values collaboration and individual contributions. Ultimately, empowering staff in their work-from-home experience can lead to enhanced performance, increased job satisfaction, and a more resilient organization as a whole.
In recent years, the conversation surrounding sex toys and pleasure products has shifted dramatically. No longer relegated to the shadows or taboo discussions, these items are now celebrated for their ability to enhance intimacy and contribute to personal pleasure. With a plethora of options available on the market, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re exploring on your own or looking to enhance your shared experiences. From sleek vibrators to elaborate fantasy items, the diversity of pleasure products today reflects a growing acceptance and understanding of human sexuality.
With a wide assortment of products available, finding the perfect one can feel overwhelming. Here are some standout categories of pleasure products that you might wish you’d unwrapped this past Christmas:
When it comes to purchasing sex toys, quality and safety should always be a priority. Look for products made from body-safe materials such as silicone, glass, or stainless steel, which are not only easier to clean but also safer for your body. Brands that prioritize transparency in their manufacturing processes, such as Fun Factory and Womanizer, often carry items that are both trusted and well-reviewed. Before buying, it’s worth investigating product specifications and customer reviews to ensure you’re investing in something that will meet your needs.
Integrating pleasure products into your life can be both exciting and empowering. Consider setting aside specific times to explore these toys, whether solo or with a partner, to create a ritual that fosters intimacy and self-exploration. This dedicated time can enhance anticipation and allow for deeper connections with your own desires and those of your partner. Furthermore, surrounding yourself with visually appealing products can turn your space into a more inviting and sensual environment. Don’t hesitate to make your collection a point of pride!
As the holiday season approaches, or perhaps for upcoming special occasions, consider gifting these delightful tools to yourself or a partner. Make a wish list of your top picks—whether it’s the chic design of a Vibe from Dame Products or the playful charm of sexual wellness items from Tantus. By discussing openly about these desires, you not only encourage healthy conversations around intimacy but also promote a culture of comfort and joy that celebrates personal pleasure.
The diverse array of sex toys and pleasure products available today allows individuals to fully embrace their sexuality and explore their desires in healthy, fulfilling ways. Whether you’re new to the world of pleasure products or a seasoned enthusiast, there’s always something new to discover. So, if you woke up this Christmas wishing for a little extra joy in your life, remember that the perfect product could still become a reality. As society continues to evolve in its understanding of sexual well-being, it’s an exciting time to delve into this realm and celebrate the myriad ways to experience pleasure.
