Marketing Help

[Kevin Seamans]

I race motocross nationally and am in search of someone to handle getting corporate sponsorship deals in place for me. He or she would have to be willing to work on commission only at 20-25%. Any help would be greatly appreciated, even if it is just pointing me in the right direction.

Thank you

[Jay Kemp]

Dude! Start by asking for small contributions (even in-kind contributions) with your local frequented establishments. It is hard to ask for help, when you have not gotten anything yourself. With those, you can build a small portfolio of "Supporters", publishing on your bikes, gear, equipment.

My company is sponsoring a small bike team and that is how the owner started. I then built his website. He had his logo, website, and sponsors put onto his boxtruck. It has only grown from there.

[Kevin Seamans]

Thanks Jay. The problem with me going to local businesses is that I live in a very small farming community in Southeast Arkansas. They are more likely to ask me for contributions! :) I have quite a few "In Sport" sponsors, but I am wanting to step outside of the motocross industry and pick up one or two corporate sponsors. Since my knowledge of marketing isn't too well, I hoped to find someone willing to do this for me and take 25% of whatever he/she obtains for me. I do very well at all of my races, whether nationally or locally, so I have results. I have a resume for my racing, and I also do other things to promote my sponsors. I cook catfish one day at each of the nationals I attend and give it all away to help push the U.S. farm raised catfish industry, which is in very bad shape right now because of fish coming in from overseas. I constantly meet people at the races and meet people when traveling, so any company supporting me is seen all over the country.

[Jay Kemp]

A resume is good, but develop somewhat of a business plan, with short-term and long-term goals. That is important to sell to anyone. First, you have to sell yourself to that manager, who can in turn believe in your vision and sell you to potential sponsors. Of course, everyone wants to have the best and be the best, but how do you get there. You cannot expect a company to just give money with a plan.

[Aileen McManamon]

Hello Kevin -

I know this can be frustrating...my company is actually launching an online mini-course in just a couple of weeks called "Sponsorship 101" to help athletes get up & running. In the meantime, there are some nice resources at this site http://www.bcathletevoice.ca/Content/Athlete-Resources/Athlete-Reso...

This is primarily aimed at Olympic (or aspiring Olympic) athletes from Canada but has some great content in it which could be of help.

There is also a site called SponsorPitch where you can upload your presentation for free, so at least it's out there for someone to discover. www.sponsorpitch.com

It will likely be difficult to get someone to work on commission -- even a high commission -- without some of the groundwork handled by you or someone in your circle (friend, parent) since there's a bit of upfront info gathering and prep of presentation materials to be done. We don't routinely provide this service, but we do from time to time as a promo when we participate in athletes' conferences, and we typically charge $1500 to do it.

The good news is that none of that is rocket science and can be done by you. There is some guidance within the site above, and once Sponsorship 101 is up & running I will post to this site. It's designed so that you, or someone close to you who is able/interested in helping you, can create and pitch for you.

Sounds like one of the first groups to hit up is the Catfish Farmers' Association since you're already promoting them they should return the favor!!

Cheers-
Aileen