How To Get A Sponsorship For A Newbie

[AI James]

ive never won any audio comp ever and can get product from many companies from just builds and installs.

I know winning comps is the way to go but from personal experience its not needed all the time to get people looking

[Tub Asko]

I emailed the editor of Truckin magazine almost the same question and here is the response:

"Hi Chris,

I used to work for a custom truck accessories company, and reviewed sponsorship requests. My best advice would be to check and see if they have a formal sponsorship process and procedure. A lot of companies will have a standard checklist of items they require for sponsorship consideration. Make sure your sponsorship packet has all those items at a MINIMUM. However, don’t overwhelm them with a 10-pound packet with every personal photo, magazine clipping etc. you’ve ever had. Make the presentation manageable and easy to read and review. If you do have some sample clippings, I’d suggest color copies rather than loose clippings or even black & white copies. Some copy places won’t duplicate copyrighted material. Look for a place that has self-serve color copiers.

List pertinent show appearances, web coverage, magazine appearances, other sponsorships, trophies, awards, etc. Be selective. Choose items that BEST represent you and your truck. Don’t come across like you’re “begging.” You want to present yourself professionally, and in a way that conveys you’re offering the company an opportunity to sponsor you that would be their interest. Also, if the company initially offers you “good guy” or “cost plus 10” pricing, don’t completely shut them out. Thank them for their time and tell them you’ll get back to them. Companies have often been burned by lofty promises but no returns. Obviously, look for the companies that offer the most favorable terms for sponsorship, but don’t compromise on how you want your truck to turn out. If you want high-quality parts on your truck, be prepared to initially pay a little out-of-pocket. Down the road, the company may offer full sponsorship to you based on their positive initial experience with you.

If you have any friends that are talented in video production and editing, maybe have them do a short 3-5 minute video on you and your truck. Make sure you use a wired or wireless microphone where your voice is clear. You can either post it on a community networking site, or burn it onto a DVD and send it with your packet.

Try to develop a relationship with the companies you’re approaching for sponsorship. If at all possible, get a specific name of a contact person. Don’t E-mail or call them every day or even every week. Every other week would be appropriate, and end each message with “Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any additional questions.” And give them your E-mail or phone number where they can reliably contact you, if needed. Be prompt in replying to them. Treat them like a client, because in essence, sponsorship is a business transaction.

Once you’ve established some relationships with companies, ask them if you can list them as references for sponsorship when approaching other companies. Most will say yes, some will say no. Please respect the companies’ wishes either way.

Finally, BE PATIENT! Successfully building a custom truck with sponsorship support can be a long process. But often the result of your patience and professionalism will prove well worth the wait. A positive, professional reputation will serve you far better in the long run than a reputation as a greedy pest that’s just trying to “scam” parts. Sure, you might accomplish the same goal with both methods, but if you leave unhappy, dissatisfied people in your wake, the bad reputation could come back to haunt you.

Hope this helps,

Edward A. Sanchez"

Edited March 31, 2008 by Tub Asko

[SPL2K]

ive never won any audio comp ever and can get product from many companies from just builds and installs.

thats great but most companies wont hand out amps / subs / batts / video / etc for free to just anyone without seeing what they are capable of with their product.

[AI James]

thats great but most companies wont hand out amps / subs / batts / video / etc for free to just anyone without seeing what they are capable of with their product.

agreed. just didnt want new people to think that was the only way to go. Either way its not somethign thats going to happen overnight.

[IH8PunkRok]

tub asko: that letter actually helps alot. it has good advice