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A free quick start for chapter leaders

Land your next event sponsor on Instagram.

01 / 03

Start with 10 names

Local outfitter

Truck dealership

Sporting goods store

Restaurant or brewery

Financial advisor

Look for businesses already close to your members.

Step one

Start with businesses that already fit.

Do not search for “sponsors.” Make a short list of local businesses whose customers would naturally care about your chapter, event, or mission.

  • Open Instagram and save 10 local accounts.
  • Choose businesses with an active, real local presence.
  • Write down one specific thing you genuinely like about each.
02 / 03
riverbendoutfitters
BUILT FOR
THE WEEKENDGEAR · GUIDES · GOOD COUNTRY
♡   ◯   ↗
That new fall gear setup looks great. Our chapter members would love this.
A familiar name is easier to reply to.

Step two

Be recognizable before you ask.

Give the relationship a little time. A couple of weeks is the minimum; a month is better. Show up as a real member of the local community before you make the ask.

  • Follow the account from your chapter profile and turn on post notifications.
  • For a few weeks, like their posts and leave genuine comments when you have something real to say.
  • Do not use AI to write your responses. Sound like a real person who cares about their business.
  • Reply to a Story when it makes sense, but never force the interaction.
03 / 03
New message
Hey [Name], I’m [Your Name] with [Chapter]. We’re getting ready for [Event] on [Date] and looking for a few local businesses to partner with us. Can I send you the quick details?
Make the first ask easy to answer.

Step three

Send a short, personal invitation.

These are examples, not scripts to copy word for word. Keep the first DM simple and honest. Say it the way you would say it out loud to a local business owner.

You do not need to sound like a professional writer. Personal, imperfect language is often better than a message that feels overly polished or automated.

First outreach

Hey [Name], I’m [Your Name] with [Chapter]. We’re getting ready for [Event] on [Date] and looking for a few local businesses to partner with us. I thought of [Business] because [specific real reason]. We’d love to have you involved if it feels like a fit. Can I send you the quick details?

Friendly follow-up

Hey [Name], just checking back on this. We’re finishing up sponsors for [Event] soon and would still love to include [Business]. No pressure at all, but if you’d like to look at the details, I’m happy to send them over.

This is the quick start: just enough to begin the conversation. A fuller sponsor outreach system is coming to Chapter Lodge. Need help with your event? →