What's in it for ME??

Swede · March 13, 2008, 03:58:32 PM

This question is running rampant through the minds of many who write resumes requesting sponsorship, and often times gets reflected in what is written on paper.

The question that ought to be running rampant through everyone's mind is "How can I help this company sell product??"

A resume answers this question and how persuasive you are in answering this question is what makes the phone ring.

What's in it for me comes much later in the process. Consider each and every sponsorship offer an opportunity to succeed, an opportunity to prove you are worthy.

Example of a "Bad Attitude" - "Well - if they gave me more - I'd try harder". Actually heard that one time believe it or not. So - do away with "what's in it for me?" and start answering the question "how can I help this company sell product?" Your success depends on the company's success!!

Ron Fogelson · March 13, 2008, 04:04:12 PM

AMEN! Some great words of wisdom there Swede!

kevin dye · August 21, 2009, 11:46:22 PM

Very nicely said. Everyone is looking for hand outs from sponsors. That's not how it works. You still have to work for what you get. Nothing is free. The harder you work the better the out come will be for you and your sponsor.

JayPea2006 · August 22, 2009, 05:38:00 AM

Well said. In a reccession, opportunities abound for creative individuals who can help a company sell product when people, for the most part, aren't buying. Putting your sponsor above all else is paramount.

Don't ever complain about your "deal", you negotiated it, accepted it, and so honor your aggreement with smiles and appreciation.

Dunham Fisher · August 22, 2009, 01:13:54 PM

Quote from: JayPea2006 on August 22, 2009, 05:38:00 AM
Well said. In a reccession, opportunities abound for creative individuals who can help a company sell product when people, for the most part, aren't buying. Putting your sponsor above all else is paramount.

Don't ever complain about your "deal", you negotiated it, accepted it, and so honor your aggreement with smiles and appreciation.

YEP !!!

-Shawn- · August 22, 2009, 01:31:55 PM

Excellent advice!!

Johnmccutchan · August 28, 2009, 10:51:01 AM

Very well said... The past two years I have had more sponsors than ever. Instead of showing what I have done and just telling them I will put their logo on my tournament apparel and boat wrap I came up with pretty much a whole marketing plan showing exactly how I'm going to promote them and generate business for them with statistics and facts. It has worked almost flawlessly. I think companies need to see everything in a marketing/advertising way and back and white, it really helps them make sense of everything. Present a marketing campaign for them instead of basic information. I spent about 3 months to originally create this and it works great. It almost makes it hard for them to say no. You have to get very creative these days. Just a little info on what I did that worked.

skeetercuts · August 28, 2009, 11:04:11 AM

I agree with all that has been said. Me as a new person starting in this area have found that I have to be able to produce for my sponsor. That is key. That is why they want us out in the field. But how do I convey this to the ones looking? I email and phone alot to the ones looking to sponsor but since I am new I don't have alot to show them in numbers way. I don't ask for handouts and don't believe in that. I do ask for alot of info about the company and products because I want to ensure who I am sponsoring is someone I can promote. Just wondering how to put it out there to the sponsors?

debassfishing · August 28, 2009, 11:55:57 AM

I agree totally with that. Last few years i fished alot of local tournaments and a few larger ones. i did have a few sponsor, and recivied some items from the witch was nice but not only did i take fishing serious i also took my sponsors ship serious as a job i would do whatever i could to promote them by telling other fisherman about them decals on truck and boat promoting them on my web page even when spoke to by local newspapers i even made sure my sponsors where mentioned. And i never asked for anything in return. As my sponsors saw i was working hard form them then they helped me. And as I am looking ahead to next year and in search of some sponsors, I know that when i get a chance to promote them its my Job to make sure i do it without strings attached. I even Promoted a company very hard and all they did was send me a couple of hooks a year but i was happy with just that and it saved me a couple of bucks and they got what they wanted. and with the reccession going on it makes a different so as i search for new sponsor for the coming year i know what i have to do for them.

BIG PAPA · August 28, 2009, 10:09:56 PM

OK I have read this thread and have seen nothing about what a sponsor does for you. I know what has been said about working for sponsors and not expecting much but surely no one does the work for free. Someone please tell us what you do get out of it even if it is down the road, at some point you have to be rewarded for your hard work. I am not trying to say anything is wrong with working for sponsor for future rewards that is fine, just curious.

Camden · August 28, 2009, 10:50:32 PM

Quote from: BIG PAPA on August 28, 2009, 10:09:56 PM
OK I have read this thread and have seen nothing about what a sponsor does for you. I know what has been said about working for sponsors and not expecting much but surely no one does the work for free. Someone please tell us what you do get out of it even if it is down the road, at some point you have to be rewarded for your hard work. I am not trying to say anything is wrong with working for sponsor for future rewards that is fine, just curious.

Well the way I see it, its kinda like a work history. if you apply for working with sponsor x and put on your resume that you worked with sponsor y then x is gonna call y and ask them how your relationship was. and i sure dont want them bad mouthing me cause all i was worried about was that i wanted more and more.

Like Swede said the better the company does the better you will do.
Its like I tell my employees. They always want a raise but dont wanna make the extra effort to help the business do better. If the business doesnt do better then there wont be any extra money to give raises.
If you help a company succeed you will see the rewards very quickly. trust me.

BIG PAPA · August 29, 2009, 09:34:16 PM

Thanks Mohunter, but I understand that part as a business owner myself. I was wondering just what the average prostaffer can actually expect from a sponsor, seems most want to give you a discount on product. I am not criticizing just curious as to what the prostaffer expects to receive from the sponsor if he works hard .

denis · August 29, 2009, 10:17:44 PM

Papa. I had it recommended to me to hold off on asking until you have the ability TO ask for something. Or you will get a small amount which hurts you later. This is based on the big Names.

On the other hand if you can find a smaller company you can ask for something like full up baits or dealer cost. Ask for something that is reasonable and offer reasonable.
If you are getting dealer cost I would put a small logo on the shirt and mention the bait if it helps you win. If you are getting free product a bigger logo and more stuff.

I wouldnt be giving a product only sponsor 5,000$ in advertising on your boat and truck, unless you got that in cash.

Lee Smith · August 30, 2009, 03:29:12 AM

Papa, I'm sure it has changed now! But, back in my Real fishing days when I hit the tourny trails real hard I got loaded up by my main sponsors and never asked for a thing. I fished the RedMan Trail mainly and just kept my points up, give a push for the sponsors everytime I could, and they rewarded me grandly. With the new world out there of the internet (hmmmm, guess we're using that now

) I'm sure a person must go beyond and above the average guy out there to really get the "goods" The competition is much more fierce now, not for the fishing and winning, it's always been there, but every company has tons of people out there that are fighting for alittle peice of the cake.

Stand Out! Be Proud of what you use and tell the world! If the company is real, you'll get the rest, or, atleast that's how it was, , , back in the day!

Lee

Camden · August 30, 2009, 11:25:31 AM

I did hear from a buddy once that while he was on a smaller circuit that his main sponsor actually chipped in some of his entry fees. they probably did this cause he was placing in the top 3 regularly. I guess they wanted him on the water promoting them as much as possible. lol