Here is some advise on how to get sponsers

[Mattlures]

I get asked on a weekly basis for free baits. Guys want me to sponser them or their events. They usualy send some sort of resume listing all their fishing acomplishments. They usualy say they won this one and that one and how they like my baits and how they tell their frinds about them etc. If they only knew how many of these I (And I am sure every other fishing business and Co.) get. I will be honest, The only thing a business cares about is will you make them money. Unless you are one of the top 10 anglers in the world I have nodesire to sponser you for your fishing abilities. I relay dont care how good you are. BUT.............. I recently recieved an email from one of the members here. He said he talked my baits up durring a seminar he gave. He used a slide show and showed them on the screen to his audience. He also sent me pictures from the seminar showing my baits up on the screen with a packed room watching. Guess what That impressed me. I am sure he is a good fisherman but I still dont care if he is or isnt. The point is he did this with out asking for anything. AND HE DID IT FIRST!!!!!!!! I plan on sending him some baits just as a thank you. When your deeling with small companies like mine use his  example. do something first. Go to some stores and get them to call the manufactures about carring the product you wish to be sponserd by. For example you get 3 stores to call Robo Worrm and palce orders. have the stores mention your name as the one that told them about the product. then send your email and resume to the company. Tell them How great of a fisherman you are but stress how you already got them a couple of new accounts. Then ask for some freebies. At that point you have already sold your self and made them money. They arent realy freebies anymore. Also dont be greedy. just ask for a little. i am sure when you show that you are an aset to them they will be more generous. Another thing you should do is make sure you know the product. If I ask a bunch of questions I am going to have a pretty good idea if my potential sponserees even know how to fish my baits. This will aply with all fishing related goods. Know your stuff!

I hope I have not affendid anybody by sounding harsh but its just the way it is. If you use some of these tips you will get a lot more willing sponsers. just remember you have to do somthing for them before they will be willing to sponser you. One more thing. make sure you have proof. I have gotten tons of emails from guys saying they did this and they told them etc    But how do I know there telling me the truth?

look on the bright side, you dont have to be a pro to get sponsered, but you do have to work for it.

[BASS fisherman]

Matt, I don't think your post sounds harsh at all.  It is an excellent tip for those of us who choose to try and make a living from bass fishing.  I think it is a great idea to get ahead of the game in anyway possible and you just gave me another way.  You made several pertinent points as well, regarding a sponser.  It is a must that you know the companies products, and how each product performs.  If a sponser sends you to a trade show to represent them, you better have a good presentation to give, or else what it boils down to is less revenue for that company.  A pro fisherman is simply a walking billboard, whois a dime a dozen, and has sponsers to help pay the way, in return for product placement.  I really love your blue gill swim bait, and I recommended it to all my friends Matt.  I have caught so many big pigs on it, I lost track around 20.  Do you suppose I could have a few for free to try out?  I can't but feel guilt when asking you for free products.  A sponsership is a mutual relationship.  You bring them money from product placement, and they help you with gear,  lures, entry fees, etc..  It is just that simple.  Great post! I love it.

[fourbizz]

I don't think that a company that is run by, and supporting one man should be pestered for free baits. I work construction and if everyone that I met was constantly asking me to work on their house for free I would be pizzed. If someone loves them sooo much, then pay the man what he is due for his hardwork. I have had baitmakers try and give me baits, but it makes me feel guilty, so I kick them back some money. Of course I tell people how great I think certain baits are (Matt's being one) but I do it because the baits ARE great, not just to weasel baits out of people. I have had at least 12 of Matt's baits and have been happy to pay for all of them. We start talking about tungsten weights, or certain other swimbaits and my happiness quickly fades. If you are an angler on a tight budget, earn your freebies. Or at least swindle a big company out of them . I sure would like Shimano to never see another cent of mine!

[earthworm77]

I agree with these posts 100% Good job Matt, B-F, 4-Biz

[Banor]

Cant agree more.   I'm sure you remember the "Seeking people to sponsor" post that got responses months after it was dead.  I dont know why but I couldnt stop reading the response, I read the entire thread.  I didnt know whether to laugh, cry or puke the entire time.

I have never tried a Mattlures lure (sorry Matt) so I'll use him as an example.  I know he wouldnt but if he did advertise that he's looking for someone to sponsor I wouldnt bother to respond.  Why?  Because I've never used his lures!!!  

Why is this so hard of a concept for people to grasp???  When I hear a pro or pro-am for that matter talk up a lure and I even get a hit of insincerity I will not even give that lure a second look.  Why?  My integrity/ethics just wont allow me to.  Could have been my best lure if I'd have given it a try, I'll never know.

Back to the point... if you are dead set on sponsors, seek out the companies in whom you have the most confidence in their products and will genuinely promote them because they work for you!  Being genuine is much easier and more productive than selling out.  

Great post and one that cannot be stressed or beat to death enough.

B

[Sam]

One of my friends is a "retired" pro bass fisherman and he now guides in Virginia.

He always wears his red and white Berkley shirt and always takes photos of what he and I catch.

The photos always have a Berkley bait plus something Berkley in the background.

Get the picture??????

He sends the photos to Berkley and others at the end of each month.

Now, what does he get in return?  Discounts.  That's all.  Discounts on fishing products.

Every once in a while he will recieve something to try (like the new Abu Garcia baitcaster) and then keep or the sponsors will send him a few lures or a new lure to try.

But he has been in the business for over 20 years and is a known quanity by the manufacturers so he can command the respect of the sponsors.

And he is grateful for everything he receives, including the discounted equipment.

P.S.  He is a fish magnet.  It drives me crazy when I go fishing with him.  And if I catch a bass before him or if my bass is bigger than his bass he gets upset.   I just love it!

[Bass Magnet]

Thanks for the tips... Great site..... I'll see you in 07...

Ken Kirk comming from Cali

[JayPea2005]

You nailed it right on the head. As a matter of fact I was able to get support from one of my current sponsors the exact same way. I used them for the better part of a lifetime and convinced my local tackle shop (also a sponsor) to bring in the line. Once a stocking order was placed, I called the lure manufacturer and talked to the owners. The rest is history.  

Excellent post mattlures!