I was wondering how some of the guys on here go about getting there foot in the door with local and even the big sponsors? How do I go about building a resume and when I do should I include pictures, education, and since I am in the military how will I put that into resume form as far as training and classes that I have completed? Where should I start to look first, I am going to join a club next year and even fish some of the ABA tournaments so should I start locally? Thanks in advance. "I Got Five"

Visit this link and should you decide to purchase the product it will be helpful in starting out. It will answer alot of your questions that you have posted. Good luck

http://www.fishforfree2.com/

Debra Hengst
http://www.debrahengst.com

in my experiance it ends up being alot more work then it worth......

from someone in the business.

the best way to start out with sponsorship.
1) introduce yourself to potential sponsors
2) use their products and take several of their business cards and when you have the opportunity, give those cards to people with your name on the back. tell those people that when they visit that store and make purchases, have them show the card to the owner with your name on it.
3) visit that store often and see what new products they have.


it doesn't really matter if you fish alot of tournaments or if you do that you win anything.
potential sponsors are interested in only one thing. $$$$$$$
as a sponsored fisherman, you become a sales rep for that business. the more you sell for them the more you'll get back from them.

4)start small and work your way up.

One of my top guys, doesn't fish any tournaments. But, he sells more props and repairs for me than anybody in the country. In return i do most of his repairs for almost nothing.
Even the BASS pro's usually pay for there prop repairs. usually not very much. depending upon who they are.
The point is, if you can send business to owners you will save money on your products.

hope that helps answer your questions.


p.s. be sure to tell them you are in the military. i'm a dessert storm veteran myself. It will definately help to have been in the military. It's a discipline thing. And a pride thing. you know what i mean.

Betcha,

Steve has some good pointers.

I have been bombarded over the years for sponsorship. Even with some pretty big names in fishing.

One thing that always blows my lid off are guys going to companies with a resume, saying what can you do for me and what money can I get from you?

The correct way to approach the company, is one, develop a personal relationship with the person who will be handling the promotional budjet for Pro Staffers. Get to know them and become good friends with them. Just don't BS them just to get product or other stuff from them. They will smell you coming from a mile away if you do that, because they deal with those types all the time.

Secondly, your approach should be, "What can I do for you?, What do you need done?, and do you have anyting I can do for you at this time?

Basically, You should be working for the company, not the company working for you.

Just saying you will put their logos on your shirt, truck, and boat, will not get you anywhere at all.

And lastly, for every resume you send out, they will receive dozens and dozens of resume's just like your's. You have to make yourself the guy they just can't pass up. And unfortunately with the amount of anglers on the water fighting for the Pro Staff positions, the best way is to be-friend the person or people who are in the position to make those decisions.

If you just offer your support, and go the extra mile, don't ask for anything up front, just be there for the company, you will find you will get much more in return later on.

Go to them with a helping hand, not a hand looking for an handout.

Prime example, 3 years ago at the Dallas Boat show, a guy walks up to me and says, "You need me on your Pro Staff." I replied, "Really, who are you?" He looked agasped and said, "Well, I'm so and so."

I looked at him and said, "Well, So and so, nice to meet you"

He continues to say, "Well I would like you to sponsor me in Bass Champs for this up coming year."

I replied, "Why would I do that? What can you do for me"

"Well, I will wear your shirts, put your logo's on my truck and boat, and support your business."

I said, "I have a better idea" and I pulled out five business cards and signed the back of them, 1 through 5 and handed them to them.

I said, "When you refer five people to me, give them these cards to present to me, and when I get 5 jobs from your referals, with each one being at least $2000, I will pay your entry fee into Bass Champs"

He looked at me and said, "Great, I'll get right on that."

So far, I've gotten three of the cards back in, plus his boat when he damaged it. So he sends me one more job, I will cover the entry fees for one year of Bass Champs.

Point to the story, He comes to me looking for a handout, I turn the tables, and put him to work for me. It is a mutually benefitial arrangement, since the revenue he provides, actually covers his entry fees. So now he is actually working and performing a service for me.

That is what companies are looking for. Hauling boats to boat shows, working in a booth, doing promo work at retail stores when they have a big sale on their products, ect.

So there is a lot of time commitment the angler generally has to be willing to do.

Good luck,

Just ask...
I made up my mind 3 weeks ago to get sponsors, non fishing industry sponsors. And it is easy!

It is all PERCEIVED VALUE - what can the sponsor get out of you. what do they get for the money they give you.. Their name on a t-shirt will not work.

You have to be willing work for that sponsor and network for them. They dont car if you can fish at all. That was the 1st point I made to them, "I am not a regualar winner at the tournament, but I can sell the hell out of your product" but be able to back it up. Take them a hot lead or buyer referral when you meet them. you must be able to give before they will return.

The key to my sucess, is I attend a networking meeting every week and represent myself on behalf of my sponsors and their companies.

But it is very easy, all you do is have to know what you can provide to them and then ask. I called the President of Plains Capital Bank last week and asked... without blinking he asked who to make the check out to. And thisa was not a couple hundres I asked for. Just be confident and ask. If I can do...anyone can. If you look around on this board enough you will see I am not a pro, and some very dumb questions. If you need more help shoot me an email.... I can help you prospect.

First off I would like to say thanks for all the info that yall have provided me with and that I will be taking some of these Aapproaches and seeing how they workout for me, and if yall may know of some one that I may be able to talk to give sned me a name and or number. Thanks in advance.

"I Got Five"

yep- it may even be easier to approach non-fishing sponsors. Think of what you use in every day life that you could sell... drinks, food, gas, clothing...... every company needs to sell their product and have budgets set up to cover marketing.

Beware- you will also find some that promise you this and that, and never come through--- all you get are excuses of what "should" be happening ......

Several years ago, one of my best sponsors was Citgo. I had a corporate gas card funished by them. I would attach fuel receipts for the truck and boat, and send in a monthly expense report.

It was one of the best things I had going at the time. Sure wished I had that one back right now with prices like they are!