Sponsorship - how to go about getting a sponsor?

[firegirl]

Hey All,

I will be competing in my first ever comp in September (Figure). I've been thinking a bit about asking my fave online supplement store to sponsor me... By sponsorship, I don't mean money, just maybe some free or even discounted supplements, like protein, etc.

I have no idea how to go about asking them, though! :shifty: Is it wanky to ask for sponsorship if you're only a novice? :oops: If not, what type of advertising etc should I offer them in return for their support?

Any advice would be appreciated, ta.

[PeterDolan]

Nate is sponsored so he could give better advice her where as I am not but if you don't ask you'll never get. Think about it as a job application, if you are one of their "athletes", how will they benefit from it? What can you do for them?

Would be hard as a novice though :think:

[nate225]

I was lucky and got asked if I wanted the BB.co.nz sponsorship and to be honest I turned down Hennies original offer as I felt he wouldn't get any value out of it.

I then suggested I would take up his offer if he allowed me to do a number of things to add value to his business - as a business minded person I wanted to 'earn my keep' so to speak rather than get a handout for wearing someone's logo.

I would work out what you can do for a potential sponsor, i.e. How can you promote or get exposure for their product or service. What business opportunities can you offer them, who do you know?

This is what I do when I seek event sponsorship (e.g HBSM Comp with Allied Security, HirePool, We Buy Houses, http://www.bodybuilding.co.nz). I create a package that I can offer potential sponsors.

I'm not into taking donations so I've turned potential sponsors away because I felt I could not really add tangible value to their organisation. A charitable donation would be better off being given to the Chch Earthquake fund or Child Cancer.

Your local equivalent of Sport Hawkes Bay will run seminars on gaining sponsorship - hit them up if you need to know more.

Just my view on the world tho!

[firegirl]

Thanks for that guys... Yeah I kinda feel that apart from wearing their logo, I wouldn't be able to give them too much value. I actually just spoke to one of the local supp stores, and they give a pretty good discount on stuff for competitors, so i think I'm just gonna be happy with that for now.

Maybe look at sponsorship further down the line... Thanks again.

[Ronin]

Which supp store is that Firegirl?

I know my trainer is trying to get sponsorship for his team, but is likewise finding it challenging given that only one of us has competed before

[weener lad]

I was lucky and got asked if I wanted the BB.co.nz sponsorship and to be honest I turned down Hennies original offer as I felt he wouldn't get any value out of it.

I had the exact same issue as Nate when the Lads approached me. Personally I think you just need to offer your help when and where they require it. It also helps to train hard and place well when competing. Also help others out with advice and info in your gym and represent the company well any chance you get.

[firegirl]

Which supp store is that Firegirl?

I know my trainer is trying to get sponsorship for his team, but is likewise finding it challenging given that only one of us has competed before

Supplement Me, they will give a good deal to anyone doing the NABBA comp in September and they are also the main sponsor of that comp from what I understand...

[Ronin]

Sweet, that's the comp I'm aiming for. Might have to pop in and see them.

[KatyBea]

I have to agree with Nate and WeenerLad. Sponsorship is a two way thing. I was lucky to spot a request from Hennie on this very forum looking for someone to sponsor. I gave this some thought and put a small Bio (CV) together that showed the type of person I was, my goals and how I could work with him to promote his product. Hennie took me up on it and has been great.

Sponsorship does not just have to be directly from the industry either. By this I mean, are there other areas in your life where a little help would free you up to train? (child care), or free you up in terms of $ so that you can afford to buy your sups? (local veggie shop, machanic...) I also have a little help from my Bank (ASB). The manager of my local branch approached me in the gym after the Nationals one year and said that if I needed any bags, towels etc for backstage to just give him a yell. The following season I did just that and as a result I am now putting tan over their stuff and not mine - no $ wasted on replacing gear. In return for this I have attended a couple of his staff meetings and talked about my motivation for training and competition. Sometimes it takes a little thinking outside the square.

All the very best with your comp!