What I expect from a sponsor....

[Hale]

We read hundreds of articles and posts that tell us that its all about what we can do for our sponsors. It needs to be addressed what sponsors are to do for us. Im not going to rant and rave about what products or payouts are to be given. Its simplier than that:

I have a very busy life; I have 30+ employees, a marriage, and a heavy tournament schedule. When I decide to take on a sponsor I have decided to create even more of a workload. With this being said I expect something in return from my sponsor that far exceeds products/cash. I expect the communication to be two-way. Here are some of the basics:

1. When you seen a increase in sales from my local area let me know. I dont need a kick back or an atta boy. Just let me know so I know what Im doing is effective.

2. I understand that everyone is busy, so when I drop you an email in regards to bettering your product or company I expect a reply. I showed you enough courtesy to not call...do the same and hit reply.

3. Dont send me product with out company literature (brochures, decals, business cards, etc). Samples are also required if you want me to setup new accounts. Do you really think Im going to walk into my local shop with out company info and samples? Do you really want your company represented by a guy who just walks in and talks about how good xyz product is?

4. A lot of companies are now trying to get pro-staffers to buy their way in. Most of these companies are legite and the principle behind them doing this makes sense...except on thing. If someone just bought your product they are now a customer not just a staffer. Treat them with the same respect as you would a customer. And where do these companyies really get off by requiring a certain amount of product to be purchased and then not really offer anything but a discount on future orders? (by the way for those of you looking into a sponosr that requires an upfront order..if they want you bad enough you can get them to drop that b.s.).

I would like to see everyones additions to this list.

Just to clarify; my sponsors are good for the most part so this wasnt a personal bashing...ive just had a bad run with local shops/new companies that just dont have a clue. I think those guys have some kind of power trip that they can 'sponsor' someone. When in reality they suck at fishing, cant run a business, and most importantly dont really care about what they can do to help their #1 advertisement.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Some good points there, especially the follow up. We need to know if we are doing our job. It's not about an atta boy, if we are, then we would keep doing what we do, but if not, perhaps it's time to get together and propose a new attack. Point being, WE NEED TO KNOW EITHER WAY!!

[BillyBob]

You both have a good point! Feedback; good or bad; is a form of good comunication. But the biggest problem with good sponsors for me is two-fold. I live in the north and bass fishing sports-wise takes a back seat to everyother sport, its not as easy to get good  fish related sponsors as it is in the south.

But the worst reason, the one I usually stay off this thread because of...is all the guys doing stuff for FREE!!! Stop it!!!If you don't get money for wearing something...DON'T! If you don't get paid for advertising DON'T! Its a joke to have to pay to be a Pro-staffer...you're the one that gets paid!!!!! If tackle and bait stores didn't have shirts and hats being bought...guess what? They'de give em to you!  The biggest joke in the world is buying a $100 tournament shirt. Think about it...why would anyone pay someone to wear a TRITON Shirt, when they can't keep them in stock at $90 a piece? And I don't even want to get into wraps. ... Whew!!! glad thats off my chest...been dying to say that here for a year ;D

PS. Has or does anyone here get a 1099misc from their sponsor? Entries aren't but everything else is. That the norm?

[topwtr81]

billy bob you hit the nail on the head brother 8-)

I was one of those twenty year's ago as a seventeen yr old. and have sense learned what it's about, I like the approach some of the companies are taking by having prospective staffer's compete for one or two spot's. it make's sense almost like a try out,

I have turned down several deals that i just didn't feel comfortable with. wheither I felt I couldn't do justice or they where not holding up their part. I am about to end a sponsorship that I've been in for a year because I simply have lost some faith in the product. communication is key both way's not just angler to co but company to angler as well

[George Welcome]

First: if you haven't gotten 1099 don't feel like you are off the hook with the IRS if they decide to audit. You are responsible for your tax situation.

Product labeling, (visible) is common on many products and proudly displayed by purchasers. Clothing is just one area that comes to mind. It's not something new nor unique to fishing.

[scooter]

Hale,

Exactly what I expect.

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Companies ask for quarterly or annual reports when you send them in you get no response. (Am I doing enough for you)

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I can not promote your company without samples and literature.

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Give me something that allows you to track any sales I am sending your way. Promo codes, coupons etc.

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Sellable products

I am in a Northern market which does not get the tv exposure or the actual tournaments rollong through town.

I truly believe companies can use mid level anglers to promote at grass roots level.

The campany can put product ad literture out at a local level and monitor how well your "prostaffer" is doing by tracking his efforts with promotional codes and redeemable coupons.

What better wat to get your name out there then offering a coupon for free decals or Hats t shirts etc (I mean cool ones, not the kind that get hung in the garage) with a purchase.

I may take a break from chasing sponsors and just focus on fishing. If I can't do it right I won't do it.

Don't work for free!!!!!

[eyedabassman]

I had a sponsor for 5 years and they took good care of me and I busted my tail for them. They payed me for seminars and payed for how many miles I had to drive. they closed there doors about two years ago too bad they had a great product. Now i am with another sponsor and they are real hard to work for, it is all about them and what can I do for them and not what can I do for me! They want $2.500 in sales from me, and I have buy there product for me to use at cost. And they want me to buy there product to had out to stores at my cost ( I don't think so ). I did do a one year contract with them. And I will not be back next year!! > They have done nothing for me and I feel it is a two way steet ! :'(

[Hale]

Thats how so many companies are getting nowadays...its b.s. But a lot of companies will have a rude awakening over the next few years. Especially once the outside industry sponsors become more prevalent...we will laugh at some rod manfacturer offering us a 20% discount after we sold 1000.00 worth of their crap.

[earthworm77]

I totally agree with that rod thing...what crap. Anyway guys, you have to understand some things about thisindustry and who you are targetting for sponsorships. First, the bigger the company, usually the the more difficult is to get in but the payoff might be bigger than a smaller company. Next, there are so many anglers out there that think they deserve a sponsorship just because they compete...that is itself is crazy, you must understand the game totally in order to be successful in this area. I run a small handpour operation out of my home. It has grown larger every year since i started. I'm more apt to really pick and choose my staffers and I do. In a perfect world, I'd love to reallyu be able to take care of my guys so that everything they need is worked out through my compnay but in reality, unless you are a multi million dollar corporation that can't be real. I adopted a membership fee type of program for my field staffers starting this past winter. It has eliminated deadbeats and set me up with some quality people who may infact work out and become full Pro staffers for my company in time. It is no risk for me so I let them worry about there responsibilities and progress. So far I've signed up a bunch of guys and a few have stood out. It is a good thing. Again though, the problem is that almost all of the guys who fish think they are entitled to something and that just isn't the case.

[actionbaits]

I totally agree with that rod thing...what crap. Anyway guys, you have to understand some things about thisindustry and who you are targetting for sponsorships. First, the bigger the company, usually the the more difficult is to get in but the payoff might be bigger than a smaller company. Next, there are so many anglers out there that think they deserve a sponsorship just because they compete...that is itself is crazy, you must understand the game totally in order to be successful in this area. I run a small handpour operation out of my home. It has grown larger every year since i started. I'm more apt to really pick and choose my staffers and I do. In a perfect world, I'd love to reallyu be able to take care of my guys so that everything they need is worked out through my compnay but in reality, unless you are a multi million dollar corporation that can't be real. I adopted a membership fee type of program for my field staffers starting this past winter. It has eliminated deadbeats and set me up with some quality people who may infact work out and become full Pro staffers for my company in time. It is no risk for me so I let them worry about there responsibilities and progress. So far I've signed up a bunch of guys and a few have stood out. It is a good thing. Again thodid enact a "performance"ugh, the problem is that almost all of the guys who fish think they are entitled to something and that just isn't the case.

Great reply earthwom77 I'm in the same boat as you. I get 30-40 e-mails a day that say basicly the same thing " I fish tournament's give me some free product and I'll try to promote it for you" The first thing I do is check the name against my customer list, if their not a customer I delete the e-mail. I don't see how a person could do a good job promoting ANY product they have never used.  I just read somewhere "a GOOD angler can win a tournament on a zara spook , a GREAT angler can SELL a zara spook".  The simple fact is, you who fish tournaments are MY target market, if I gave away product to you just because you fished tournaments , WHO WOULD I HAVE TO SELL IT TO ?  Think about that before you approach a company with a "GIMMIE" attitude.

Joe

[bassnleo]

I totally agree with that rod thing...what crap. Anyway guys, you have to understand some things about thisindustry and who you are targetting for sponsorships. First, the bigger the company, usually the the more difficult is to get in but the payoff might be bigger than a smaller company. Next, there are so many anglers out there that think they deserve a sponsorship just because they compete...that is itself is crazy, you must understand the game totally in order to be successful in this area. I run a small handpour operation out of my home. It has grown larger every year since i started. I'm more apt to really pick and choose my staffers and I do. In a perfect world, I'd love to reallyu be able to take care of my guys so that everything they need is worked out through my compnay but in reality, unless you are a multi million dollar corporation that can't be real. I adopted a membership fee type of program for my field staffers starting this past winter. It has eliminated deadbeats and set me up with some quality people who may infact work out and become full Pro staffers for my company in time. It is no risk for me so I let them worry about there responsibilities and progress. So far I've signed up a bunch of guys and a few have stood out. It is a good thing. Again though, the problem is that almost all of the guys who fish think they are entitled to something and that just isn't the case.

"In a perfect world, I'd love to reallyu be able to take care of my guys so that everything they need is worked out through my compnay but in reality, unless you are a multi million dollar corporation that can't be real.

Don't sell yourself short, you do a REALLY nice job for your staffers, Micro Munch may not be as big as a company like Berkley but your product and service is top notch...

[earthworm77]

I appreciate that Eric. My point was that many of the bigger companies can give a certain few guys financial support. I would really like to be able to do that as well. I do what I can now, perhaps in the future I'll be able to. Of course, guys who deserve it are few and far between, I mean, only the best, most dedicated staffers should even qualify for that with any company.....I guess for the larger companies that also translates to the guys who have the drawing power like the big names.