Marketing yourself the intelligent way part 2

[earthworm77]

OK, in part 1 we looked at what you should consider doing when you are starting out looking for potential sponsors. I focussed mainly on building your rep and your resume. Remember that your resume is the first impression you give to a sponsor and if it is garbage, well, you know what they say about first impressions.

I can't reiterate this enough, check your spelling and grammar, people want to see that you care about your work. Remember there are so many people competing with you for a select number of spots. If you leave a bad impression, you will get circle filed quickly. I hit the delete key more often than not before I ever finish reading a resume, not because I'm a hard sell, but because if people don't seem to care about their work, they can't care about mine.

OK, let's suppose you get through the first leg of the journey. You submit a very good resume, with a phone number which is key. If you have positive feedback from this, follow it up with a hard copy. I kind of recommend a hard copy over an email because emails are so generic. It might impress someone that you put the effort in and spent the 42 cents on the stamp.

The next thing is that you better have something to say if this Staff Coordinator decides to call you. Let's hold on here for a second and consider a few things. What could this person ask me? Maybe for one, you might get a few follow up questions about your resume....make sure whatever you wrote is the truth, you don't want to be caught out there misinforming people about yourself. Next, you might be asked about your experiences with the company's products. This is a great time to let this person know about any facet of info you have about the baits etc that they market. Remember we talked about modifications, tweaks, ideas for improvement. Don't shoot your wad in one phone call, but you can say something like "I have some ideas about how to fish this bait more effectively"....or something to that extent.

This call is your chance to prove that you are worthy of holding a conversation with a stranger about fishing and the products you intend to represent. Show your knowledge, articulate your thoughts and put them together. You are still trying to sell yourself. It is not the time to ask what they will offer you. Get your foot in the door. If a position is offered to you, you will be made well aware of the perks it will bring.

Most importantly be prepared to say something, dead silence won't go over well. This is just common sense but I can tell you that there have been times when I called a person back and they didn't have anything to say. Make a little plan, an outline of things you might want to elaborate on if you get the chance to speak to a Sponsor on the phone. This is the time where you will help yourself by re iterating how you can help promote this company's products by...........???? You do an internship for school or college at a newspaper or for a radio station? Your buddy has a public access show and will give you air time? Again, shy away from the I'll wear your patch and shirt thing. That is pretty much expected of you and not a bonus to them.

If you have any background in marketing or sales, it may be of interest to them as well.

digest this for now, I'll be back later.

[Brian_Reeves]

Another good post.  I just bookmarked both of these for future reference.

[Daiwa]

I gave up on looking for a sponsorship. All I want to do is fish.

[Brian_Reeves]

Now you're ready to start winning tournaments. ;D

[senko_77]

GREAT info Earthworm.  I learned a ton in the last 2 posts you made.

I gave up on looking for a sponsorship. All I want to do is fish.

You are well on your way my friend.

[earthworm77]

Perhaps on eof the first things you should do, even before you write a resume is ask yourself this........Do I need to pursue sponsors and if I do, what do I hope to accomplish once I get some?

The cold hard truth is that unless you are a Professional Tour angler, you will not make enough money from a sponsor for it to matter. I mean that you may swing a deal for a few bucks but nobody is paying your way.

The most common things you can hope to get out of this are either discounted products or free products. Here is where this is important....

....make sure you solicit a sponsor whose products you actually use. If you use Gamakatsu hooks and your sponsor makes gill nets and snelled hooks, it isn't helping you out. Your savings won't work in that instance. If you land Gamakatsu, you can cut your overall fishing costs and that will help you out.

I guess, once you get your plan of action figured out, step back and review it. Don't make unrealistic expectations on yourself because if you can't live up to them, you will become less motivated.

Part 3 coming this weekend

[Brian_Reeves]

If you can get a few companies to pitch in for either travel costs or tournament entry fees, then that is a BIG plus.  Even if it's for co-angler.  I doubt very many companies will take Joe Smoe off of the streets and pay 1,000 or more for a boater's entry fee, but getting a few smaller companies to chip in for the 350 or so for a co-angler deposit might work.  It all depends on the relationship that you build with the company.

For example, if I went out and started fishing BFL or Stren tournaments as a Co-Angler with a decent reputation from local club tournaments, I'd have a good starting resume for a few tackle companies.  I doubt you'd convince Strike King or Lucky Craft to pay your tournament fees, but maybe one of the smaller guys that you have a good working relationship with will help out.  Even if they give 50 bucks, it helps.  Set your initial goals low.  Never despise meager beginnings.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Lower, realistic expectations are easier to achieve and exceed.  In the beginning, exceeding your own expectations leads to confidence.  We all know what confidence tends to lead to...

BTW, always have a contingency plan.  It has been said numerous times on here before; there are thousands of guys/gals who dont make it big for every single one that does.  Make sure you have a plan to put food on your table if you dont make it to the big leagues.

In other words, "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst."

[BadKarma42]

Lower, realistic expectations are easier to achieve and exceed. In the beginning, exceeding your own expectations leads to confidence. We all know what confidence tends to lead to...

BTW, always have a contingency plan. It has been said numerous times on here before; there are thousands of guys/gals who dont make it big for every single one that does. Make sure you have a plan to put food on your table if you dont make it to the big leagues.

In other words, "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst."

Kinda like this past weekend!