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== Background ==
[[File:Nathan UIF Profile.JPG|thumb|Nathan UIF Profile.JPG]]
<div>'''[[Nathan LaWarre|Nathan LaWarre]] '''is a University Innovation Fellow and an undergrad at '''[[Western Michigan University|Western Michigan University]]'''. He is majoring in electrical engineering with a minor in environmental studies and sustainability. He has many interests including but not limited to experimenting with his Arduino, tackling difficult problems, and working with solar panels. He is on the leadership board of The Innovation Club at his school. Nathan draws inspiration and motivation for leadership from the previous works of the Innovation Club as well as the previous fellows from the University Innovation Fellows at his school.</div><div><br/></div><div>Here is the success story of how his Innovation Club managed to establish a Makerspace at his campus free of charge for students, from forming a team of few Engineering students, finding a space, and raising the funds.</div><div><br/></div><div> </div>
== Introduction ==
<div>The pitch is a critical part in the process of making a free Makerspace. As was discussed above, it is critical to understand who your audience is and how to best convey the value that the Makerspace will provide to students. </div><div><br/></div><div>When designing the pitch, consider what data will be most compelling. Not only does it provide the audience something to hold onto, it impresses on them that work has been put into this proposal. Data points that may be useful include: usage of existing labs on campus, interest in the project, number of people actively working towards this goal, amount of money needed, and what has already been done to reach this goal.</div><div><br/></div><div>Additionally, it is paramount to pitch to the “right” people. In this case, the “right” person is going to be anyone you can talk to, as the best allies and partnerships can result from seemingly unimportant conversations.</div><div><br/></div>
=== ''Funding'' ===
<div>Although the Makerspace you are creating is free to students, running the Makerspace costs money. Ensuring that the space is available and that there are materials and equipment for students to use not only requires a large amount of work but also requires monetary support. In order to keep the space free for students, you need to be persistent in looking for funding. Some good places to start are: club funding, local sponsors, and donations. </div><div><br/></div><div>It pays to be creative to when attracting both sponsors and donations. For example, the Makerspace developed at Western Michigan University uses an incentivized tiered donation system where the sponsors get a different size of sticker for donations within the tiers they developed. These stickers decorate the walls of the Makerspace while promoting the businesses. Local and national businesses love advertising at local universities because it drives businesses through target audiences found at them. Offering wall space or places on flyers or advertisements can go a long way for businesses who are looking to sponsor. </div><div><br/></div>
=== ''Promotion'' ===
<div>To get students to come to your Makerspace, you must develop a marketing campaign. The goal of this campaign should be to get students as interested in and excited about your space as possible. Creating branded posters and business cards for your Makerspace is a great start. Place your posters all around campus, making sure you have permission to do so. Try to place posters in every college, school, and building within your university to maximize the amount of students you reach with your marketing and to ensure students from all majors and disciplines know about and feel welcome to use your Makerspace. Holding events at your Makerspace where there is free food involved is a great way to get people through the door. College students love free food! </div><div><br/></div>
