Rough Draft

[jjonsgaard]

I know this topic gets beat to death but over this winter I have began to seek out possible sponsors for the next season.  I am focusing on local tackle companies whos products I use a often.  Some information has been removed for privacy reasons, but I left my Email.  I plan to tweak it slightly just to make it more personal to the business I am sending it to.  

Dear Sir or Madam,

     My name is Jerry Jonsgaard and I am a current marketing undergraduate at Winona State University.  I am interesting in a meeting with you to discuss a possible pro-staff/sponsorship.  I think that through my extensive knowledge of fishing, and what I have learned and am currently learning in marketing could promote your product in ways a lot of people could not.

     My fishing history extends back to as early as being able to stand on my grandparents dock and watch for a bobber to go under.  My love of the sport has only grown from there.  In my later years of high school I bought my first boat which was an old aluminum with a 30 h.p. motor and began to fish small weekly tournaments.  

     In 2007 I began fishing the BASSMASTER Weekend Series Minnesota Division as a co-angler.  At the age of 18 in my first year on a competitive circuit I finished 2nd overall in the angler of the year standings.  This qualified me for the National championship tournaments on Clarks Hill Reservoir, in Augusta, Georgia.

     In 2008 I returned to the BASSMASTER Weekend Series Minnesota Division as a co-angler.  In 2008 I finished 19th overall.  Although I qualified for the regional championship on Kentucky Lake, I was forced to decline the invitation due to financial issues.   I also fished a couple of smaller local tournaments with average success.  It was my first year to be completely in charge of my game plan and it was definitely a great learning experience.  I took things that I learned from being a co-angler and mixed that with my personal style of fishing.  I concentrated much more on learning than my individual success in the 2008 season.  

     My plan for 2009 is to fish the BASSMASTER Weekend Series Minnesota/Wisconsin Division on the professional side.  Growing up fishing rivers, I felt as though I needed a couple of years on the co-angler side to learn how to better understand lakes.  Spending two seasons in the back of the boat of some very knowledgeable anglers has given me a solid base knowledge of lakes.  I know feel that I can be competitive at a professional level.  I also plan to fish the 11th annual St. Jude Charity tournament out Wabasha, Minnesota, along with as many local tournaments I can considering my finances and work schedule.  I would also like to fish a couple of the BFL Great Lakes division tournaments if I am able to.  In distant future I plan to do what it takes to pursue a career in professional fishing at an elite level.  In the mean time I plan to graduate with a degree in marketing and land a job with a fishing related company.  

     Now that you know a little about my fishing history and plans for the future, I would like to discuss what I feel I could do to promote your business and products. As a marketing major I am continuously learning new up and coming ways to promote and advertise products.  I have had classes in public speaking, economics and many others that would help me not only promote the product, but be able to go a step further and understand what the buyer is thinking and wants to hear.  I have worked in retail and sales for the past 2 years at Menards, so I have a very good knowledge of sales.  I have had to learn about many products and understand the pro and cons of each for when possible buyers have questions.  I also have to be able to walk a potential buyer through the process of the current home improvement project that they are looking to do.  Just as how I could explain why your product is the best and explain how to fish it to be most successful for certain conditions. I have to be knowledgeable and let it show.  Possible customers do not want to buy from somebody stumbling through their sales pitch.  Instead they would rather buy from somebody who is confident and explains why they are better off to go with say a yank em jig rather than a mass produced jig that is $1 cheaper.  

         Being that I am only 21 years old I would like to think that I have a long life of fishing ahead of me.  Many of the other anglers that I associate with are in my age range and have a long life of fishing ahead of them as well.  If I am able to get young fisherman hooked on your product that brings in buyers who are going to be fishing for many years.  Also as a professional angler you always have a co-angler in the back of your boat.  The co-anglers are always looking to learn from the professional and if someone you look up to and are learning from says that a certain product works, you are going to believe them.  In my plans to have a long fishing career I plan to have many co-anglers each of which would be a potential customer.  Most co-anglers are just getting into the sport which means they too will have a long fishing career ahead of them meaning that they are a potential long time customer. On the tournament scene I have made a name for myself as a knowledgeable and respectable young fisherman even as a co-angler.  I built good relationships with many anglers on the professional and amateur side.  

        As a pro-staff/sponsored angler I would be willing to wear you're your logos in tournaments.  Whether that  be a tournament shirt, a sweat shirt, hat, visor or any combination.  I would also be willing to display your logo on my tournament tow vehicle and my boat.  As a college student I have many weekends free when I am not fishing tournaments because I do not have family obligations as an older angler may have.  I would be willing to go to fishing shows and promote your products out of a booth.  I would promote your product at tournaments by talking to other anglers and handing out business cards and showing samples.  I do feel that this season will be a successful one for me seeing as all of the events are on bodies of water that I am familiar with.  I would make sure to mention your business and your products with any successful tournament finishes.  One of the best things that I could offer would be feedback on your products.  Feedback such as how new color combinations work or what I have the best success on in certain conditions.  Seeing as how I am the type of fisherman that likes to play around with the lure and try new things, I would let you know if I find anything that could add to the effectiveness of the products.  That can then be passed on to other potential buyers.    I would be willing to do the above in return for merchandise from your company.  The amount would depend on what you would expect from me.  The more you would like me to do for you and your company the more I would expect in return. If you would like to set up a meeting to discuss possible details for a pro-staff/sponsorship please feel free to call me or e-mail me.   I feel that we could be great partners and with my help I think your sales would definitely increase.  

                                                             Thank you for your time

                                                                         Jerry Jonsgaard

                                                          Ghjonsga0911@winona.edu

[matt metzger]

This does sound cheesy but you need to add more about YOU.... sponsors look for personality, school, and community, just as much as fishing.... just my 2 cents

[fourbizz]

Too long. Should be a highlight reel, not a full feature.

[Tin]

Too many words...

[Bassn Blvd]

I think that through my extensive knowledge of fishing, and what I have learned and am currently learning in marketing could promote your product in ways a lot of people could not.

Replace think with "know."   Be confident and shorten it up.

[tallydude]

Way too long. You can't expect them to read all of this. Shorten it up and keep it to the point. Remove the part about not being able to make the KY lake tourney due to financial reasons.

[Bass Dude]

I agree with the others, it's too long.  Try tweaking a Resume template and a cover letter.  This way you can list your accomplishments rather than creating a short story about yourself.  It will look cleaner and your accomplishments will stand right out.  Remember trying to gain sponsorship is much like trying to get a job, so treat it as such.  You can fill in the rest when you get your phone call from them!!

Remember too that pro-staff and sponsorships mean different things to different companies.  Pro-staff will usually result in product only, which isn't at all bad!  But if your actually looking for monetary gain you may want to stick to just asking for a sponsorship.  

[CaptTodd]

Yep too long, but you have a great opportunity because you are in school for marketing.  Come across and let them know what you can do for their company!  It is all about them!  TRUST ME! ;D

[Bankfisher]

It is very informative but I agree with the others. I think in order for it to be professional it needs to be much shorter and to the point. The person you give this to is not going to want to read all of this. Maybe make it short and sweet and to the point, then ask to meet with them in person to share the rest of the stuff in this letter. Meeting in person to share this is so much more intimate and touches them more on a personal level.

[Disco]

blah blah blah...    You have 15 seconds to capture a sponsors interest.    Shorten it up with key bullet points.  Also create a web site -- you can be a little more verbose there.  

[farmpond1]

To paraphrase Jerry McGuire, "You lost me at hello."  Far too much information.  Cut it down to less than half and use bullet statements if you can.  Get your strong points out there quickly before their eyes glaze over.  But do it without sounding too much like a bullhorn.  JMHO

[bigbaitfisher]

I read about 3 sentences, realized how long the rest was, and stopped.  That's honestly about how long you have to impress someone, too.  No one wants to read 2+ pages.  Make it a resume style, keep it brief.  It should fit onto one page.

[Sam]

Make letter one page.

Make it short and to the point.

Make it so the reader will understand that you can help his bottom line in this time of poor economic conditions.

Add your photo.

This is an introduction letter. You can then give all the the bull s%*t to the individual when you make the SALES CALL.

Here is a sample of your letter than I did for your consideration.

Good luck.

Good Morning,My name is Jerry Jonsgaard and I am a marketing undergraduate at Winona State University and I am requesting a meeting with you to discuss a possible pro-staff/sponsorship.  

Through my extensive knowledge of fishing I am confident that I could successfully promote your product for a small financial investment.

By fishing many tournaments and public appearances, I can reach over ___________ people each year that will see your name.

My plans for 2009 include fishing the BASSMASTER Weekend Series Minnesota/Wisconsin Division where I will be visible by _______ people at the tournaments, in the newspapers, fishing magazines and by personal appearances on TV and radio.    

I plan to pursue a career in professional fishing at an elite level after I graduate with a degree in marketing and my plans include starting a fishing related career and company.  

As a marketing major I am continuously learning new promotion methods and techniques that promote and advertise products.  

I have had classes in public speaking, economics and many others that would help me promote your company.

I would like to speak with you to discuss possible details for a pro-staff/sponsorship and I will call you to discuss my plans and how I can help your bottom line.

Thank you for considering my request.

I am looking forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely,                                                            

Jerry Jonsgaard

[retiredbosn]

I think that through my extensive knowledge of fishing, and what I have learned and am currently learning in marketing could promote your product in ways a lot of people could not.

Replace think with "know." Be confident and shorten it up.

it is very important that you present yourself confidently.  No words that are open for debate, no i think, in my opinion, etc.  Be definitive.  Good luck