How to Package & Price Ballot Sponsorships

by Julie Foley Second Street

Title Sponsorship

A title sponsorship would likely be the most expensive investment tier you offer. This sponsor receives the most prominent logo placement and inclusion on all your ballot’s marketing materials.

Title Sponsorship Package Details:

  • Exclusive branding and ads on the ballot page
  • Online run-of-site ads linking back to their website
  • Email opt-in on the ballot registration page
  • Email campaign to your promotional database with the sponsor’s logo and a coupon to drive foot traffic
  • Logo inclusion or mentions in promotional campaign including elements online, on social media, and in traditional media
  • Social media mentions linking back to their pages
  • Logo inclusion or mentions on any existing initiatives in traditional media

Each year, the Commercial Appeal sells a title sponsorship to their citywide Memphis Most ballot. The title sponsor is included in all the branding for the contest. This year, the title sponsorship was sold to Gossett Motor Cars, a local automotive dealership.

Memphis Most Leverages Title Sponsorship

Ballot Category Sponsorship

As a category sponsor, advertisers will be featured at the top of a specific category of your ballot. To make the sponsorship more valuable, include a variety of additional benefits.

Package Details:

  • Banner ad on the ballot page
  • Exclusive ad embedded into sponsored category on the ballot
  • Email campaign to your promotional database with the sponsor’s logo
  • Logo inclusion or mentions in promotional campaign including elements online, on social media, and in traditional media
  • Logo inclusion or mentions on any existing initiatives in traditional media

Leuning’s Bistro and Cafe paid for a category sponsorship in Seven Daysies‘ Readers’ Choice. Their custom banner clearly displayed their business on multiple categories.

Locals_Pick_the_Best_of_Vermont__Seven_Daysies_2017 2

Enhanced Listing Sponsorships

An enhanced listing is an excellent way for a business to set themselves apart from others on the ballot. These listings include a clickable link to the company’s website, a map of their location, and a short description.

Package Details:

  • Banner ad on the ballot page
  • Upgraded listing if the sponsor is seeded on the ballot including the sponsor’s logo, phone number, address, website, and social media buttons
  • Special Section full color 2 col. x 2” ad (for print publications)
  • At least one on-air mention promoting the sponsor and the ballot (for broadcast media)

Here, Great Awakenings Cafe and OCF Coffee House used enhanced listings to promote their business in Philly.com‘s Readers’ Choice. This was a great way for them to stay top-of-mind for users and get them noticed by others in the community.

Copy of 2017_Readers__Choice_Ballot___Awards

If you’re wanting to make your next ballot a big revenue generator, make sure you’re leveraging all of the different sponsorship tiers to maximize your revenue potential.

Learn more about the Second Street Summit.