Ben Lipiec Posted December 20, 2006 Posted December 20, 2006 Cover Letter Date Company X 743 Bass Street Smallville, PA 1234 Dear : For the past five years, I have been a tournament fisherman in northwest Pennsylvania as well as Ohio and New York. I am an avid user Company X and am contacting you today with a proposal that I feel will be a win/win for both of us. I am requesting sponsorship, and in exchange I will do everything in my power to increase Company X sales in my area. Due to my ability to stand out from the crowd and effective promotional skills, I feel that I would be an excellent representative of your fine products. My ability to stand out from the crowd is unparallel. My youth allows me to communicate with the younger angler, but I am still respected enough to have a quality connection with adults to give in-store seminars for everyone. My educational background also enhances my ability. I have competed in the Academic Sports League which spans across western Pennsylvania. I have done exceptionally well in the areas of speech and essay. I am an extremely energetic and enthusiastic person who holds great excitement for the sport. I believe it will be growing in leaps and bounds. Another part of my background that is to my advantage is my geographical location. Tourism in the greater Erie area is exploding and one major draw is our location on Lake Erie. We have some of the best smallmouth fishing in the country, not to mention the walleye fishing and the steelhead that cram our tributaries each spring and fall. With all our potential, it is surprising that there are not many professional fishermen from this area. I intend to change that. Even though I am a young angler, I have many ideas to move your company forward. One approach is to get more stores to sell Company X. I will do that by contacting all of the stores in my area. I have already listed all of the tackle shops and sporting goods stores and am prepared to check their supply of Company X's products. If the store does not have much of Company X, I will contact the owner or manager, show him a new catalogue and some sample products, and inform him of the great success I am having with them. I will encourage them all to order Company X and leave the catalogue with them. I can also show off new lures at tournaments to the other competitors who I am talking to or see with Company X's decals or stickers. I can refer them to the store and the website. Another great opportunity would be to contact some of my friends who are sports writers for local newspapers and fishing publications, and take them fishing and put Company X's products in their hands. I can also contact radio show hosts and mention Company X on the air. I will also always be able to work a booth at any sports show, or wear patches, shirts, hats, and put decals on my truck. I strongly believe that sponsoring me will benefit both of us. I am confident that I will meet and even surpass your and expectations by winning tournaments and increasing sales and exposure for Company X. Sincerely, Benjamin Lipiec (Address) This is my Resume Ben Lipiec Address City, State Zip code Phone # thebassmaster55@yahoo.com OBJECTIVE Increase sales and exposure for Company X. EDUCATION 1999-2006 Iroquois JR/SR High School, Address City, State Zip 1996-1998 Lawrence Park Elementary School, Address City, State Zip WORK EXPERIENCE 2005-2006 Ponderosa Steakhouse, Address City, State Zip Position: Dishwasher- Cook Responsibilities: wash dishes, prepare and cook food 2003-2005 Patrick's Family Restaurant, Address City, State Zip Positions: Bus Boy Responsibilities: collect dishes and clean tables TOURNAMENT FISHING HISTORY 6th place finish in the 2006 CCB Open Tournament 8th place finish in the 2003 Red Cross Bass Classic 2nd place finish in the 2004 Big Kid lil' Kid Bass Tournament 9th place finish in the 2004 Good Friday Buddy Tournament 14th place finish in the 2005 PIB Open Tournament Many Club Tournaments won PERSONAL INFORMATION Age: 19 years old Birthday: Born on December 30, 1986 Home Town: City, State Height: 6 Feet 2 Inches Weight: Around 210 pounds I have not updated it in a few months, i now work in the fishing dept. at Gander Mountain as well. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. thank you! Quote
CSB Posted December 20, 2006 Posted December 20, 2006 I think you're on the right track. How big is this company? A few things to consider: - Dont request anything in your proposal - those negotiations come after the decision maker has viewed your proposal and has contacted you with a response. - Instead of using "increase sales", use "drive sales". Decision makers like that word. Dont ask me why, because I dont know, but when I talk sales with a decision maker, they look to drive them. Use their lingo to stand out a bit more. - There are some other things such as grammar errors, word usage, etc. that needs a little touching up. Shoot me an email jefflin1@integy.net and I'll write up an edited version of your proposal, and if you like it you can use it. Quote
Super User Sam Posted December 27, 2006 Super User Posted December 27, 2006 CSB is correct in his assessmetenof the letter. I can add that it should be on one page, only. Use short paragraphs and not be too wordy. And if you have a local university near by try to see one of the Business Administration marketing professors and ask him/her to review your letter to help improve your message. Remember, you need to sell the sponsor on what you can do for them to increase their sales so it is to their advantage to have you represent them. You will also need to get your information to companies in the third or fourth quarter of the year so they can include you and your costs within their budgets. With the first quarter of 2007 just around the corner many budgets have already been established so the companies that would consider sponsoring you may not have the money allocated in their budgets. Good luck and let us know how you do. Quote
Banor Posted December 27, 2006 Posted December 27, 2006 Sam and CSB have given you very good advice. Listen to them. I would add one point to Sam. I agree the resume needs to be one page but I think he's included his cover letter for us to review. I do not work for the fishing industry but I know resumes and he's on track by adding the cover letter. I know HRO's that wont even consider resume's without a cover letter. That being said, Sam you are correct about condensing the paragraphs and not being too wordy. Just remember if you are going to throw out the benefits of your education and academics then you better have a gramatically perfect cover letter, otherwise you've just destroyed your credebility. Ben, your cover letter is way too wordy. I like it but you need to condense it and throw out the run on sentences. You want something short and to the point that tells them that you are interested and briefly what your intent is. Let your single page resume tell them about you. If you get an interview I guarantee you they will ask you the questions they want answers to. Dont use phrases such as "even though i am a young angler." This tells them you are conceding that you may have a downside. Declare that you are a young angler and this will benefit them in XYZ ways. Dont tell them you competed in something if you didnt do well or dont intend to tell them you did well. I could say that I competed in college football - if it was a community college and I was the backup water boy for a team that went 0-12 then it really doesnt benefit them. Definately dont include it in the cover letter. Put a bullet statement in your resume. Any positive life events should be bullet statements in the resume, not in the cover letter unless it was something extremely unique or nationally recognized that they can identify with and will jump out at them. Something like "Your product was instrumental in me earning AOY on Tour X this year and for this reason I intend to promote your product." That's a little extreme but you get the point. Delete the last sentence of the cover letter. You have no idea what their expectations are and this is unneccessary fluff in a cover letter. Discuss this in the face to face. Knowing sports writers and the ability to get their product into the media is definately a bonus but again you should be short, to the point and specific. Just mention that you have access to the media and can get their product and website into XYZ local publications. Dont portray it as a distant possibility but something you intend to do. I cant stress enough to ANYONE looking for sponsors. LOVE THEIR PRODUCT!! USE IT!! PROVE TO THEM THAT YOU SUCCEED 'BECAUSE' OF IT!! Wearing patches, shirts, hats and putting decals on your truck are a given. That's probably one of the expectations they'll have that you dont need to highlight in the cover letter. As for the resume... If I were a fishing industry employer I wouldnt care about restaurant experience unless you were bus boy of the year or something extraordinary. Focus on your education - add your GPA if it was good. If you did well in the Academic competition then add that bullet statement. Definately get the Gander Mtn experience in there. In your tournament experience name the club you were a member of - maybe the reps have heard of the club or have a connection there. I have no idea what the PIB tournament is and chances are they might not either. Spell it out. Bottom line - tailor the highlights of your background and experience to reflect something that will benefit your prospective employer or atleast something they identify with. Just a few of my opinions. Positive criticism - no insults here. Take it for what it's worth. I'm not a major player in the fishing industry so my ideas are not based on fishing companies, but I am a manager and have reviewed plenty of resumes. You are definately on the right track! Good luck!! B Quote
Super User Sam Posted December 27, 2006 Super User Posted December 27, 2006 B, Thanks. You are correct. I meant the letter to be one page with the resume and any other supporting documents added. Happy New Year! Quote
CSB Posted December 28, 2006 Posted December 28, 2006 Ben and I are working through his resume to produce an easier to read, more professional looking resume and I think we are going to be putting together a proposal as well. Once it has been finalized I will post it for everyone to use as an example of what a resume and proposal should look like in most cases. Quote
Chug Bug Posted January 5, 2007 Posted January 5, 2007 Good luck to you. Please use caution when posting personal information on a public site. If that is your real DOB, I would xxxx it out, as well as change a few letters in your name. It is very very easy to obtain all of your personal information with just a little researching knowledge. Quote
Ben Lipiec Posted February 8, 2007 Author Posted February 8, 2007 thank you everyone for your help and input! my cover letter and resume look 10 times better already. sorry i havent been able to reply sooner my computer was down for about 3 or 4 weeks. Quote
bassnleo Posted February 9, 2007 Posted February 9, 2007 Hey Ben, you get Kistlers in your Gander Mountain yet? If so I'll be up to see you..... Quote
Ben Lipiec Posted February 21, 2007 Author Posted February 21, 2007 Hey, sorry for the long delay. I've been pretty busy :. No, I don't have the Kistler's in yet. I'm working out a deal with my boss. I'll let you know when they are in(hopefully soooooon). I'm assuming this is the smallie king Eric Heil, am I correct? Quote
earthworm77 Posted February 21, 2007 Posted February 21, 2007 You are correct, that is Eric. The letter looks pretty good, a lot better than most of the resumes I see and that is a plus. Quote
Ben Lipiec Posted February 21, 2007 Author Posted February 21, 2007 This is the updated version. Much thanks to CSB! Date Company X 743 Bass Street Smallville, PA 1234 Dear : For the past five years, I have been a tournament fisherman in northwest Pennsylvania, as well as Ohio and New York. I am an avid user of Company X and feel I can help drive sales and increase brand loyalty through my program Due to my ability to stand out from the crowd and effective promotional skills, I feel that I would be an excellent representative of Company X products. My ability to stand out from the crowd is unparalleled. My youth allows me to communicate with the younger angler, but I am still respected enough to have a quality connection with adults to give in-store seminars for everyone. My educational background also enhances my ability. I have competed in the Academic Sports League which spans across western Pennsylvania. I have done exceptionally well in the areas of speech and essay. I am an extremely energetic and enthusiastic person who holds great excitement for the sport. Another part of my background that is to my advantage is my geographical location. Tourism in the greater Erie area is exploding and one major draw is our location on Lake Erie. We have some of the best smallmouth fishing in the country, not to mention the walleye fishing and the steelhead that cram our tributaries each spring and fall. Because of this expansion, we can reach a new customer base, as well as maintain brand loyalty. Being a young angler, I have many promotional ideas to move your company forward. One simple approach is to get more stores to sell Company X. I have already listed all of the tackle shops and sporting goods stores and am prepared to check their supply of Company X's products. If the store does not stock the products of Company X, I will contact the owner or manager, and present him/her sales literature along with my personal testimonials. Company X will also have premier signage on clothing, boats, personal vehicles, and all related equipment. In addition to these services, I am available for sales promotions, print, tv, and radio advertisement, trade shows, and any additional personal appearances. My final and possibly most important promotion is my web site, www.benlipiec.com , where the Company X name and logo will be strategically placed to increase exposure. I am confident that Company X can establish a strong customer base and drive sales by marketing with me. I look forward to working with you. Sincerely, Benjamin Lipiec (Address) Ben Lipiec Address phone thebassmaster55@yahoo.com OBJECTIVE Establish a strong customer base, improve brand loyalty, and drive sales. EDUCATION 1999-2006 Iroquois JR/SR High School, 4301 Main Street Erie, PA 16511 1996-1998 Lawrence Park Elementary School, 4231 Morse Street Erie, PA 16511 RETAIL EXPERIENCE 2006-2007 Gander Mountain, 2088 Interchange Road Millcreek, PA 16565 Position: Fishing Associate Responsibilities: Deliver high quality customer service by building a picture of each customer's ultimate objective. Assist customers in selecting products for their next fishing trip. Build loyal Gander Mountain customers by providing outstanding customer service through, asking questions, listening, recommending products and closing the sale TOURNAMENT FISHING HISTORY 5th place finish in the 2006 Big Kid lil' Kid Bass Tournament 6th place finish in the 2006 CCB Open Tournament 8th place finish in the 2003 Red Cross Bass Classic 2nd place finish in the 2004 Big Kid lil' Kid Bass Tournament 9th place finish in the 2004 Good Friday Buddy Tournament Numerous Club Tournament wins PERSONAL INFORMATION Birthday: Home Town: Height: Weight: Quote
bassnleo Posted March 6, 2007 Posted March 6, 2007 Hi Ben, looks good bud! Just a note of caution, I would consider removing your birthdate when posting on a public site. Too much identity theft going around these days.... Give me a shout when the Kistlers come in and hope you smoke the PIB boys this year! Quote
deerhuneter02 Posted August 16, 2007 Posted August 16, 2007 Two things.... First include your club wins individually and state, them people don't know how much numerous is. Second if you don't already have Gander Mountains sponsorship it would probably be pretty easy to get since you work their and they know you, your work ethic, and your talent already. Quote
Ben Lipiec Posted December 6, 2007 Author Posted December 6, 2007 Hi Ben, looks good bud! Just a note of caution, I would consider removing your birthdate when posting on a public site. Too much identity theft going around these days.... Give me a shout when the Kistlers come in and hope you smoke the PIB boys this year! Eric, I left Gander Mountain in July and never got the Kistlers in there. They were trying to go to more of a walleye and steelhead store. I really left because we were going in different directions, they told me i was fishing too many tournaments. I worked out a sponsorship deal with the Erie Sports Store where i will be able spend more time promoting them through guiding, seminars, and tournaments. I am, however, talking to a few other local tackle shops and stores about stocking a good selection of kistler rods and Gamma line. Give me a selection of rods you are interested in seeing. thanks, Ben Quote
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