My Take

[River Rat316]

Here is my take on trying to obtain sponsorships for a new tournament fisherman. You are better off promoting companies that you believe in than going out and trying to obtain sponsors just to be sponsored. What I mean by this is, if you have a product that you truly believe in go ahead and start promoting it, make youtube videos, talk about it at tournaments, put a logo on your boat or jersey if you want, if you do a good job most small or midsized companies will notice you and you might get repaid with a sponsorship or discount on products.

 

 I get anywhere from 2-3 a week to 2-3 a day emails and some time phone calls (please do not do this most smaller companies are way to busy to chit chat on the phone about giving you free product) asking for sponsorship, 99% of the emails I receive I don't recognize the name or do not even know if they have ever fished my product. The only people that are currently or  being considered for pro staff positions I or one of my other pro staff personally know, and I can see the unsolicited promotion they have already done. I, and am pretty sure other companies do it to, do a regular internet search to try and find out what is being said about our products, I take note of those that are promoting product and what is being said (it is how I found this site) if one of my customers is standing on a hill top shouting about my products I am going to take notice and reward that customer, and I am pretty sure most companies would do the same.

 

The whole reason for this post is I am tired of the emails that tell me they would really like to promote my product but want something for free in return before they ever lift a finger, I see it as the other way around, prove to me that you are capable of promoting a product and I will reward you. That "free" product that all new tournament fisherman are looking for is not free, it costs me real money and time to complete, and in the end will cost YOU time to obtain, putting a sticker on your boat or a patch on your jersey is not going to cut it, we need to see something above and beyond before you are going to get something in return.

 

 

And I will also add if you are under the age of 18 most companies (unless they have a jr pro staff program) will not talk to you, its not that you are not a good fisherman or any of the other things, for me personally its that there is no return or little return on the investment, I know you all have friends and your own tournament circuits and what not, but the sad fact is that persons under the age of 18 generally do not have money to spend on product, I might get flamed for this or whatever but it is a business, it is how I feed my family and pay my bills, if I can't get a return on my investment I am not going to throw money out the window.

[J Francho]

it is how I feed my family and pay my bills

 

That says it all.  Nicely put.

[BradGuenette]

+1 it's all about showing said sponsor what you can do for them. It all starts with you the angler. If you believe in a product, use it regularly the sponsor should already know who you are just from you promoting it on your own, when I really find something that works for me I want to share that with others so they can do the same.When looking for looking for a sponsor you want them to already know who you are even before they start reading what I have sent them inquiring about teaming up.

Brad

[Teal]

Good stuff River Rat!

[TheKingFisher]

I've never thought of fishing competitively and so would never need a sponsor, but I can only imagine how many people hit you up once they realize you either own a company or play a major role in one.  

 

That being said I think your message comes through loud and clear and my guess is you were still quite reserved in expressing this frustration.  Hopefully this message helps reduce those type of inquiries if they are coming from the members of this board.

 

Good luck.

[Darren.]

I don't tourney fish, either, and I can appreciate what smaller companies go through especially compared to some of the giants out there. I'm self-employed so when people expect me to freely give of my experience just because I'm a friend or whatever, it can be rather frustrating.

 

Like you said, you've gotta feed your family.

 

Appreciate your stance.

[River Rat316]

Don't get me wrong, it doesn't make me mad when I get a Pro Staff resume, at the very least it means people are noticing my company, I am just trying to persuade peoples perceptions on most small to midsize companies.

[jhoffman]

As with anything its best to let results do the talking. When I obtained my first sponsorship in fly fishing I wasnt even looking for one. I was posting video instructions on forums of how to tie certain fly patterns. The phone rang one day and it was an invite to tie at a national show. At the national show I was invited to dinner and offered the sponsorship.

 

I dont think most people realize just how much work goes into a real sponsorship. At best, you might break even. You need to go to shows, you need to take time to speak wtih store owners and individuals. That traveling is all money... tires, gas, oil changes, hotels, time that could be spent making money all so you can get something for "free'. The quote "Nothing in life is free" rings so true in this industry. Sure you might get a $1000 in free rods, but when you do the math you probably spent more than that promoting the product. Unless you are the best of the best and people are physically paying your entry fees, discounting boats/motors... you really are not getting anything for free.

[Rangerphil]

I do tournament fish and would love to someday work my way up to fish in national tournament trails. With that being said I do not try and gain any type of sponsorship! I feel that I need to work on my fishing ability and build relationships with real people before I would ever ask for anything. I will always live by the moto that if you treat people the right way that in turn good things will happen for you!