Community Sponsorships – Step by Step
Your mesh community network needs nodes in high places because height is might in LoRa radio terms, and tall-standing, local businesses may be your best solution. But before you approach a business owner about supporting “the community” with a node sponsorship, you’ll need to be prepared with an elevator sales pitch, and a presentation that includes At-A-Glance Education Materials to quickly answer; Who is The Community?, What is A Mesh?, Why Should I Support It?, How Much Will It Cost Me?, What is My Responsibility?, What Is My Liability?
4 Steps to Pitching and Winning Community Sponsorships
STEP 1: Create a Community (add a community)
Local business owners are highly likely to support local community organizations. Nearly 95% of owners feel that community involvement increases their personal satisfaction according to recent surveys(*1).
Who is The Community?
– Enlist area mesh users to participate in a community listing.
Find like-minded users in your area who are interested in growing the local mesh community.
While internet privacy is important and should be maintained, listing users with complete anonymity, stealthy concealment, hidden or seemingly questionable motives is not your ally and should be avoided for this project. If you’re not willing to include your information for the community, why should a business owner.
– Add your Community to the directory at (add a community).
Name your community with a purpose; neighborhood, club, or organization to be listed in The Directory with the long name MeshMap.Me/com/(MyCommunity) and then list your participating nodes in the description and linked to their listings at MeshMap.Me/node/(shortname).
STEP 2: Prepare Talking Points
First impressions count, and with research showing that a first impression is formed in just 7 seconds, it becomes necessary for you to ‘wow’ prospective sponsors right off the mark with an elevator pitch(*2). Busy small business owners don’t have the time nor the inclination to do a deep-dive into mesh technology, the history of LoRa radio, or other geek-speak 🛠 that may make them dizzy and quickly disinterested.
What is A Mesh?
– Use a visual handout that gets the point across quickly (see sell sheet below)
– Include links to user friendly 🛈 information without all the tech talk (see What is a Mesh? at Mesh101).
STEP 3: Know Your Value Proposition
An interested business owner will quickly move from understanding your proposition to inquiring about the value by asking “What’s In It For Me?”
Why Should I Support It?
– Your business listed in the Mesh Sponsorship Directory
– A custom-configured solar node device provided at cost, at a discount off cost, or completely free based on the the height of node placement (see height is might, community subsidized nodes)
– A custom-configured personal node device provided at cost at a discount off cost, or completely free based on the the height of node placement (see height is might, community subsidized nodes)
STEP 4: Execute An Action Plan
See What Works – The Mesh Community offers examples of real-world experience growing local area mesh networks. Review the communities listed and linked at MeshMap.Me/com to find out what has worked for them, and to learn what steps are necessary to create an action plan to put into action.
Best Practices:
Doing It Right – BuffaLoRa.org Guru demonstrates how to start and grow a mesh community in Buffalo, NY and Western New York State.
MESH MARKETING TOOLKIT
Prepare your marketing tool kit
– Doing It Right – How to Create A Mesh Community
YouTube Audio Presentation by BuffaLoRa.org Community: Meshtastic – Decentralized Community-Wide Off-Grid Messaging (link). Slideshow Presentation by KC9MNE’s (link)
Elevator Pitch (30 seconds to sell your idea)
Elevator Pitch & Why You Should Have One – First impressions count, and with research showing that a first impression is formed in just 7 seconds, it becomes necessary for businesses to ‘wow’ prospects right off the mark (2*).
MARKETING TOOL KIT
– Handout: Attention Business Flyer 1 | Flyer 2 | Flyer 3
– Business Cards: MeshMap.me/com/____ (coming soon)
Real Life Experience posted by Bonlifer at Reddit.
ABSTRACT: “Try reaching out to businesses, friends, family, etc., that are located between the two areas you’re trying to connect. On our network, many members have created multiple solar nodes and found places to put them up with landowner permission. It’s possible to do.“
Elevator Pitch (30 seconds)
“We’re building a community-sponsored solar powered network that helps people stay connected when cell service or internet goes down.
You can help just by letting us place a small, self-powered node device on your property, at no cost to you.
The self-powered node device runs on battery and solar (much like a solar-powered landscape lamp), so it doesn’t touch your power.
We attach the solar node device using small clamps or straps (no drilling, no screws), on a pole, fence, tree, or even on signage. You won’t even know it’s there.
We never show up unannounced. If we ever need access (rarely), it’s only at a time you choose.
You’d be giving your community a free, resilient backup communication link – especially valuable if you’re on a hill, tall building, or have a tower.”
Why They Should Say Yes (Key Benefits)
· Zero cost – You pay nothing.
· Zero work – We install and maintain everything.
· Zero damage – No drilling, bolting, or permanent modification.
· Zero hassle – We access only by appointment, only if needed.
· Minimal presence – Firmware updates happen from street level; you don’t need to do anything.
· Community good – Helps neighbors, hikers, emergency services, and ham radio operators stay connected.
· Ideal spots – Tall buildings, water towers, radio towers, billboards, mountain overlooks, park pavilions.
Access Policy (Clear & Reassuring)
“We need permission to reach the node only if it stops working – which is rare. We will never show up without a prearranged time you’ve agreed to. No 2am visits, no surprises. Most of the time, even firmware updates happen wirelessly from nearby ground level.”
Attachment Methods (Low Friction)
Infrastructure Attachment Pole / streetlight Rubber-lined clamp
Chain-link fence Zip-tie or clamp mount
Tree branch Hanging enclosure (weatherproof)
Existing radio tower Clamp to leg (no welding/bolting)
Billboard / building edge Strap or magnetic mount (non-penetrating)
Water tower Strap around railing or ladder
Who to Ask (Prioritized)
Business owners with prime locations (between sites, tall buildings, tall signage)
Family / friends with elevated property
Local ham radio operators / clubs – they often have towers and understand the value
State or national parks – especially if they have mountain peaks or fire lookouts (offer emergency coms benefit)
Optional One-Liner for Text / Email Subject Line
“No cost. No work. No drilling. Just a solar node that helps the community stay connected.”
* FOOTNOTES
(1) Small business owners are highly likely to support local community organizations, with 75% donating an average of 6% of their profits annually. Nearly 95% of owners feel that community involvement increases their personal satisfaction, and 80% have a mission that includes giving back, frequently supporting local charities (66%), youth organizations (48%), and first responders (42%). SOURCE: U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Small Business Survey.
(2) Elevator Pitch & Why You Should Have One – First impressions count, and with research showing that a first impression is formed in just 7 seconds, it becomes necessary for businesses to ‘wow’ prospects right off the mark. SOURCE: Score.Org The Elevator Pitch .
(3) .
Citations needed. Please send comments to How-To 4-Steps Citations.
Contributors Welcome. Add directory links at Helpful How-To Tips.
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