The best way to get sponsors?

[BillyBoy23]

I don't know if this is the right thread but it's my best guess.

I am a new angler that plans on fishing a lot of tournaments as a co-angler and some smaller trails as a boater. I am wondering the best way to approach getting sponsorship. I am not looking for anything huge. I am looking at it as more of a networking tool and opportunity to meet people. I am moving to NC in June/July and would just like to get some general tips so I can start reaching out to sponsors as soon as I get there. Thanks

-Bill

[muddpuppy]

I would get business cards made for your business. Whether you are looking for compensation or not, you are looking to put their name on you. As a business I would want to know that.

1. You mean business and are not a fly by night kind of guy.

2. Your background what qualifies you over that guy asking for the same thing?

3. Where can I see you fish, and what means do you have to enter these tournaments with out sponsorship

A lot like a resume, then go door to door to introduce yourself in a non pressuring way give them your background etc maybe on the back of a 8x10 picture of you and a amazing fish you caught during a tournament with your other endorsements logos etc. after a small chat leave them with a if your interested give me a call.

I would start by just asking for them to fund the logos whether on your hat shirt or boat. After they get some exposure and you qualify in a couple tourneys go back and negotiate compensation.

Good luck to you

[BillyBoy23]

Thanks for the tips Mud. I am more then willing to do all of that stuff. thanks again

-Bill

[Hot_tamale]

The first thing more serious anglers do is become a member of the NPAA. This is probably the best way to network with both companies and other anglers.

Another possibility is that many sponsors now days aren't even fishing related. sort of like a stock car racer at a local quarter mile track. Big bob's heating and air conditioning have nothing to do with racing, but it is exposure.

You will want to place in a few of the tournaments before you go asking for sponsorship. This will not happen over night. It takes years to get them on board. You will need to have many photo's of you with fish, any articles that you can write and get published, as well as any volunteer work in the area you live in.

A sponsor wants to know that their investment is well represented both on and off the water and on a consistent basis. The first several years you will be lucky if you can just get free product to use along with a shirt or their logo.

Remember that most companies have an advertising budget and that is laid out before their fiscal year is over. If you want sponsorship for next year, target them now!!! Tell them your thoughts of possible sponsorship in the future, that you use their products and maybe mention a few of them. Get a picture of you with a fish and hopefully their product in the picture (frabill net or Lindy Rig).

Let them know what tournaments you plan on entering (not as a co angler but as the main angler). What kind of boat you have, motor and possible why they should chose you over thousands of other possible applicants.

When the fishing tourney season is over @ october, send that person another letter or email and let them know how you did in your tournaments. send along that special pic of you and their product with a belly buster fish or stringer. Hopefully one of you on a stage with a winning smile or award!!.

You may need to buy their sweatshirts, t shirts, decals etc, before they will replace them for you.

You do have your work cut out for you and many things have to go right. so good luck to you in your endeavors.

[Ed Carlson]

Developing a relationship with a sponsor is much like a job aplication, you need to sell yourself, stressing not what they can do for you, but what you can contribute to them.

Sponsorship agreements are a tough sell in the present enviroment for the long time pro and increasingly so for the newcomer, so do not take slow reponces or down right denials too badly...it's a tough sell today....highly competitive in a skinny market.

I'm a hard and fast believer in only working with product lines you have 100% confidence in, and confidence in the people behind the line. They will quickly see this too, and they will soon be your core sponsors if you build a relationship and contribute and represent them well.

It takes time, and work, and a lot of skills building....but if you have the heart for it you can do it.

Good luck!