The cost of scoreboards for primary and secondary schools can often be prohibitive. Unless a school deals with broken equipment that must be replaced, finding room in the budget for new scoreboards can be challenging. Even then, it may not be easy to justify the cost of upgrading to newer technology. Video scoreboards provide schools with the unique opportunity to enhance their facilities while generating revenue, the boards essentially paying for themselves.
Here's how to use your video scoreboards to generate revenue for your school.
Understanding the Revenue Opportunity
Video scoreboards provide a year-round revenue opportunity for schools.
Outdoor video boards can be used for multiple sports, such as:
Football
Field Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Indoor video boards can be used for:
Basketball
Volleyball
Wrestling
In addition, video boards can be used during special events held on outdoor fields and in gymnasiums. Sponsorship opportunities can range from sponsoring an entire scoreboard for the purchase price of the board to video advertising and media placements that are played pre- and post-game, at halftime, and during time-outs. This means media sponsors get the maximum value from their investment rather than play during just one sports season.
Selling Sponsorships and Media Packages
Retaining sponsors and donors for video scoreboards is similar to any other fundraising initiative. Here are three quick wins for schools looking to sell sponsorships and media packages for their video scoreboards:
1. Create an opportunity for known donors.
Businesses that often donate to your school and sponsor programs would greatly benefit from the increased coverage and viewership that video scoreboards provide.
2. Engage the community.
Look for local businesses and large corporations doing business with families in your community, such as sports medicine doctors, orthodontists, and tutoring services. The audience for your sporting events is likely the audience they are trying to reach with their advertising.
3. Educate your students.
In addition to the revenue potential and enhanced game-day experience, video scoreboards provide educational opportunities for students interested in media and technology (A/V) and advertising. Students participating in the program can be responsible for creating media, running technology, and selling advertisements.
Considerations for Success
When schools decide to sell advertising for video scoreboards, they should consider several key factors to ensure a successful and beneficial endeavor:
Audience demographics: Schools need to understand the demographics of their event attendees. This involves knowing the audience's age, interests, and geographical location, allowing advertisers to tailor their messages more effectively.
Content appropriateness: It's crucial that the advertisements displayed are appropriate for a school setting. Schools must establish clear guidelines on what type of content is acceptable for their community, prioritizing the well-being and sensitivity of students and families.
Pricing strategy: Determining how to price advertising space involves a careful balance. Prices must be attractive enough for local businesses and sponsors while ensuring they reflect the value offered through exposure to the audience.
Contract terms: Schools should carefully draft contracts that define the length of advertising campaigns, the specific locations of ads on the scoreboard, and any content restrictions. This includes detailing the process for updating or changing advertisements and handling any disputes that may arise.
Impact on school culture: Schools must consider how the introduction of advertising might affect the school culture and the experience of attending games or events. It's important to focus on sportsmanship, education, and community values above commercial interests.
Infrastructure and technology needs: Beyond the initial cost of the scoreboard, schools should assess their capacity to manage and update digital advertising content. This may require investing in additional technology or training for staff and students who might be involved in the operation and content creation for the scoreboard.
Potential conflicts of interest: Schools should be mindful of any potential conflicts of interest that may arise with existing donors, sponsors, or community relationships. Transparent communication and strategic planning can help navigate these challenges.
Considering these factors can help schools create a mutually beneficial advertising program that supports financial goals while maintaining a positive, community-focused environment.
Partner with a Scoreboard Media Specialist
Selling sponsorships and media packages requires time and resources that many schools lack. At MicroframeSPORTS, we partner with sponsorship and media specialists who help our customers maximize the revenue potential of their video scoreboards. Questions?
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