Sponsorship Troubles

[ghost]

I have been sitting here at work reading through the thousands of posts in all the different categories and I have noticed numerous posts about getting requests for sponsorships.

As a tournament angler, a club president, and a charity fishing circuit founder, and someone who is now making my own lures and baits I thought I would give my point of view on this topic.

I have seeked sponsorship from many companies for myself and for my other activities. Sponsorship is a two way street. As a manufacturer you take on sponsorships to generate business. As a angler you take on sponsorships to help with the costs of fishing, whether that be in free product or monetary compensation.

The internet has made it to easy for people looking for hand outs to get a hold of companies. It also hinders the good people out there who really will promote your product from getting the chance.

I have noticed a lot of companies are going to the "buy from me and I will cut you a percentage of the sales you generate" approach. This is truly a win win situation. You set a preset amount of product the person has to buy at cost. Then when that person generates sales he gets a percentage of the sale price (5%, 10%, etc) and some free product. For instance if I generate $500 worth of sales I get $100 worth of product plus the percentage of the sales. This encourages him to promote your product because it puts something in his pocket as well.

I have two sponsors that work this way, both are small companies that have only been in business for a short while. I take pride in the fact that I am helping them grow.

I also have a couple large companies that give me all the free product I need in exchange for a couple trade show appearances and in store demo's. Which I enjoy most of all.

As for my other activities it is all big name companies. They donate product because they like there name being involved with community events.

When I approach a sponsor I always do it in writing. Email is a bad idea. I always include a resume which in reality is nothing more than a marketing plan for there product. At no point in time do I mention what I am looking for from them, it is all about what I am willing to do for them.

So the point I am making to all this rambling is that out of the 100's of emails you probably generate 5 may be legitimate. If the person can't take the time to write a letter what makes you think he will take the time to promote your product?

I would set strict guidelines on who you take on for sponsorship/pro staff and stick to it. This will help weed out the guys looking for hand outs.

[tater]

good points...i only have two sponsorships, if i dont beleive in a product or service i dont push it. i wont mention their names because i dont feel it is the right thing to do to put a the name of a corporation out there against the guys on this board. its hard to be a sole proprietor competing against mass production. i understand that because im in the same boat.

i do have a business degree which has helped me to understand how to better market myself and what companies are looking for out of me. i dont thnk alot of people out there looking for sponsers understand that they are looking for a face and an image to help promote them in a professional and upstanding way.

on the other side of the coin i also sponsor one fisherman with chowan river lure co. he is an upstanding guy, loves his family, is true to his faith and promotes the kind of face i feel as though my business deserves to have standing behind it. he didnt approach me, i approached him after a long standing relationship and friendship.

i will say i agree that email is the worst way you could approach anyone about anything. it is complete impersonable, not to mention it doesnt show me in anyway that the person can sell themselves or my product in any way. most people that have approached me wanting to be on my "prostaff" have done so in completely the wrong way. they first make what they want a priority. its not what i can do for them that will convince me to sponsor them, its what they can do for me. i dont think many people understand that.

kudo's on a good thought and great post!