📬 Mailbag: How Do I Get a Corporate Partner to “Pay Up” After an Event?
Q. Any suggestions for getting local businesses to “pay up” after an event where we gave permission to use our name/logo in exchange for a set % of sales that day? By no means is this the first time I’ve had to “nudge” for payment. My usual follow-up email works in getting the check. But right now I have 2 places who are dragging their feet. My typical emails say: "Just following up, would like to get something in the next newsletter, or need to report results to the Board" (something along those lines). Meanwhile, I provided pre-event social media coverage, attended the events, even provided some activities for the kids. Oy vey. Help, Joe!
A. My suggestion is to use a little peer pressure to make it happen. Any board directors (current or past) personally connected to the slow payer? Share the situation and ask him/her to reach out. Or, if it’s the type of business that has public traffic (sounds like that’s the case here) then show up on a day when you know the person responsible for writing the check is there and let him/her know that if it’s not ready today you’ll come back for it tomorrow. I would also recommend thinking twice about partnering with that company – or at least that business owner – again; your time is too valuable to chase people down to fulfill their promises to you. Good luck!
- Jennifer, Discovery World, Wisconsin
A. It can be tough to collect payment sometimes. In the past when I have had either a company or an individual that promises money but doesn’t want to pay up, I send them an invoice for the amount due. It’s more difficult for partnerships where you are anticipating x% of sales. But, I would create a “statement” as best you can and send it their way. It might help speed up the process. And then next time on the front end of the partnership have a signed third-party agreement so you can send something and ask for the money by an agreed upon date.
- Katie, Second Helpings, Indiana
A. I did a restaurant promo with 15 participating restaurants last year, and 5 of them stiffed us. I sent polite emails (“perhaps the check had a dba corporate name on it & we missed it,”) and I sent a more forceful letter with a SASE envelope...and got nothing. My CEO told me to just let it go, but it really burns me up! We promoted them & encouraged our supporters to patronize their business. I would love to hear how to avoid this in future partnerships!
- Kimberly, Marion Medical Mission, Illinois
