If I had a dollar every time I have read, or heard someone talk about the lack of sponsorship money from outside sources I would be rich.  The lack of understanding how to present yourself, your cause, and what your cause will do for that outside service are the biggest reasons most people fail in their goal of landing sponsorship funding.

 You wouldn't go to see Donald Trump wearing blue jeans and an old racing t-shirt, and expect to have him hand over money to a person who looks like he doesn't care enough to as least try and make themselves look a little presentable.  I'm not rich, but if I was going to see a man like that, I would rent a suit if I had to, just so I knew that would hopefully make a good first impression right off the bat.

 Ok, were not talking about Trump, we are talking about your local service station, an apparel company, an insurance agency, etc.  The same principal applies here, put on a decent pair of pants, a nice dress shirt, shoes, and you are already ahead of the last guy who walked through the door looking like he just crawled out from under a garbage truck.

 Watch how you talk to perspective business sponsors, believe it or not, more and more people are going to church these days, and maybe dropping the four lettered curse words aren't the best way of trying to impress someone.  If they do it first, and use them frequently, then you can feel relaxed and use them in the conversation also, but don't over do it, remember, be professional.