If you belong to the right groups, you see requests for contest sponsors on a regular basis. So why should you just give away your businesses products ? What is in it for you?

Exposure for your business at a low cost is one benefit. Whoever you are donating to, should give you credit for your donation, along with your business and web address. This is perfect for "showing off" what you offer on your website.

Gaining a new customers is always a possibility, too. When the winner gets the chance to try out your product, its possible for them to order again from you. They might even just recommend you to their friends!

A few things you should know before committing :

~What the contest is being held for and who is holding it. Make sure the many people that are signing up are your target market.

~Ask if the person holding the contest will give you the names of those entering, or at the very least the title of the winner (you want to follow up on them to see how they liked the item they won!).

~Find out all the details on how the contest is being handled. Know for sure if this particular contest is going to work best for you and the human holding the contest.

If you do not belong to any lists or communication boards where you see requests for contest sponsors, here is are a few:

http://www.mompack.com (subscribe to the Yahoo Group)
http://www.wahm.com (check on the communication boards)
http://www.internetbasedmoms.com (again check the communication board)

Contest sponsoring is just one of many ways that you might get your title out. It should be done in combination with other promoting ideas. Good luck!