Pro Staff??

[mattman]

what exactly does the "pro staff" do? always wondered this. I am sure some of you are on the "pro staff", if you dont mind sharing, i would love to know. I was a HS football/ basketball coach for 15 years, (in Texas that is an 80 hr a week job)  and I quit coaching so I could coach my own kids and watch them grow up, as well as chase my dreams in the fishing arena. My first year fishing tournaments regularly has gone quite well and I am probably going to move up to one of the bigger trails next year.  How does someone become a "pro staffer", and what do they do?

[Brian_Reeves]

I think pro-staff is just a term coined for sponsored anglers that help in the testing and development as well as endorsement of lures.  

A sponsored angler is someone that helps advertise for the company, but isn't involved in the aforementioned.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's how I understand it.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Different companies interpret the term differentlty.  Fully communicate both sides expectations and get it in writing.

[Volman482]

Most companies now relate the Pro-Staff positiion not to professional but promotional staff. Ya gotta buy so much of thier product and then provide contacts for sales reps. to gain more perks from them.

Just the way it is nowdays!

Volman

[fishfordollars]

Most companies now relate the Pro-Staff positiion not to professional but promotional staff. Ya gotta buy so much of thier product and then provide contacts for sales reps. to gain more perks from them.

Just the way it is nowdays!

Volman

The key words are BUY and PROVIDE. It is a shame but some want the distinction so bad they are willing to buy it. And that is exactly what they are doing. They are really only very good customers.

[warmer]

consider this:  

tackle companies work on margins they need dollars.  they dont need to give away tackle to every tom, dick, and harry that asks.  instead of lining up on the side of the aisle with the 6 million other people begging for "sponsorship", why dont you call up the companies you love and offer up tweaks for their baits?  tell them what you do to modify them, etc.  if they like your ideas, im betting you will be testing their tackle in no time, for free.  now you are on their side of the table and "pro staff" unofficially, but without any "what have you done for me lately?" business.  from there it can evolve based on the value you bring.

just a thought.

[The_Natural]

Most companies now relate the Pro-Staff positiion not to professional but promotional staff. Ya gotta buy so much of thier product and then provide contacts for sales reps. to gain more perks from them.

Just the way it is nowdays!

Volman

The key words are BUY and PROVIDE. It is a shame but some want the distinction so bad they are willing to buy it. And that is exactly what they are doing. They are really only very good customers.

+1, albeit if you already use the product...it's nice to get a discount.  Basically...pro-staff means you sometimes you get a few free baits, but most of the time you just get them at a discount.  Everyone that is 'sponsored' by a rod or reel company is paying for their reels (except for true professionals).  

[earthworm77]

Volman, Fishfordollars and Warmer, those were three very good posts about this subject.

Vol- 100% right promotional staff is the term...your only a Pro if it says that on your W-2 or 1099. People get really caught up in that.

Fish- Unfortunately, every Tom, Dick and Harry who owns a rod and reel feels they are entitled to something for free or a discount because of that. In this day and age, it is hard for a manufacturer to weed these people out from the ones who are willing to do honest work. So, many have resorted to offering field staff positions where a guy can buy in. I do that with my custom tackle company and it works for me.

Warmer- that is a great idea about modifications/applications etc. It slams home the point that you are out on the water using company X's baits and looking beyond to improve those baits.    

It is obvious that a few people understand that selling baits is a business, just like whatever they do for employment is. Imagine walking into a car dealership and saying, hey, I drive, wanna sponsor me and give me a brand new truck? It is a joke. Within the past 5 years or so I have witnessed the shrinking of the pro staff programs and what they offer the entry level angler.

I truly believe that very few people can convince a staff manager to provide them with a spectacular deal. Companies aren't willing to take chances on Joe Shmoe anymore. It probably is not good to actually make any type of demand unless you really have something to offer. To clear this up, wearing a hat, patch or shirt with the company name is not impressive. I have 100 guys wearing my hat or shirt because they actually fish my baits. It doesn't get you any street cred. You need to have a well thought out approach consisting of your game plan on how you will provide promotional opportunities for the target company.

All I can say is this- Prepare a resume that has correct grammar and punctuation. Then proof read it at least 6 times. It says alot to the person reading it when there are mistakes and the writer can't even spell sponsor. It says you do things half A-ed and will likely take that approach when you are involved with Company X.

Make sure you have experience with the product. Don't cold solicit, it seems too generic. I almost never accept anyone into my program who I know has no experience with my companies products.

Just a couple of tips. I read close to 100 applications sometimes on a weekly basis. I'm at the point where I get offended by what I read because it is obvious most people are just looking for hand outs. Don't be one of those guys.