Writing to Request Support - Points to Remember
If you are organising an event you may wish to write to companies in your area and
ask them for support. When approaching companies you should first write a letter,
and then follow up with a phone call shortly afterwards. When writing a letter to
request support it is important to keep the following in mind:
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Be very clear when describing your event - ask yourself the following:
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What are the main aims of the event?
What is the format of your event?
Who are your target audience?
How many people will be attending?
Make sure you clarify exactly what kind of support you are asking for. Some
examples might be:
 Financial support
 Products the company sells which are things you will need to run the
event e.g. chocolates to run a ‘Chemistry of Chocolate’ event
 A venue to host your event
 A speaker for your event
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You need to sell your event to the company, making it very clear as to how
the company can expect to benefit from supporting it. For example:
 Displaying their brand or logo on all promotional materials for the
event is good advertising for the company - tell them who and how
many people will see it
 As well as supporting the event they could get involved e.g. at a
careers event the company could have their own exhibit that would
also allow them to promote possible vacancies, summer placements
etc., as well as their brand
 Using a company’s products as part of the activities at your event is
an excellent opportunity to advertise them to people
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It’s not what you know, it’s who you know - use your network of contacts and
colleagues. You should ALWAYS write a letter requesting support to a
named person. Think about how you might be connected to people working
for a company, for example:
 Alumni from your university
 People who used to be in your year at university and went on to work
in industry
 An RSC Representative (RSC members who work in industry and act
as the main point of contact between the RSC and other members
working at their company). Contact details for RSC Reps in your area
can be obtained by emailing networks@rsc.org