sponsorship proposals; input needed and appreciated

[Lilfish]

Greetings fellow anglers. I am a 30 year old wanna-be pro from Wi. As many of you also; i eat, breath and sleep fish! I want to make the plunge and go full steam this year. And as many of you also, money is the limiting factor. I am working on a proposal to send out to various potential backers. What would be GREATLY appreciated is any input you can give which you might think will help in ANY way! My intention is to purchase a new 620 and qualify for the RCL on Green Bay this year (my home water). Like I said, any info you can give would be appreciated....anything from structure of the proposal itself to selling points of the target markets and/or tour/championship itself !

Thanx.....and may your 2001 have much Fishslime!

Lilfish

[Mike Michalak]

I can't tell you how many inquiries we get here. It's also interesting how many posts end up on message boards across the net on this same subject.

Whenever asked, I respond the same way. Your fishing matters only 10%. Now, that's the blunt way of saying it does matter but not nearly as much as how you sell yourself and the sponsor.

Clearly, you are entering the toughest part of seeking sponsorship. You want to build a name, and there are hundreds of guys ahead of you that have been doing it a while and still haven't cracked into the "big time" of corporate sponsorship. How do you build a resume' if no one gives you a shot? That's the 24-thousand dollar question and I can only provide pocket change for an answer.

How many sport shows are you hitting this season? How many of those are you speaking in? What's the area of expertise? Do you actually use the product and or service of the potential sponsor? Are you free to travel? Can you speak and write intelligently? Have you done in-store demonstrations or conducted seminars on fishing? Can you handle media interviews? Where do you get your fishing equipment from now? What tournament circuits do you frequent? Placed in any? These are just SOME of the questions you'll encounter. The name of the game here is marketing, not fishing. Yeah, you win the Bassmaster Classic, take the RCL crown or snag a PWT or MWC tourney and it makes life a little easier, but not for long.

We sponsor Carey Bever, a 15-year pro who just entered the "bigs" and his first B.A.S.S. regional tournament last September. He has a number of "local" sponsors, but through his marketing efforts was able to score a great deal for a boat. Long story short, he won the thing on his first try...Old Hickory Lake in Tennessee. 53-grand. He got swamped. Pressure is another thing you have to worry about. His life changed and he'll be the first to admit it. It took him that long to pay his dues, and he's a great angler! He's also finding out how demanding the sport is, not only on the water, but on his time, which in some regard is no longer his.

What's all this leading up to? Sell the company you're going after on what you can do for them first. They could really care less that you finished 2nd two times in a tournament, have a new rig with a new truck or whatever. Also, think regional first. If we get a ton of these requests, and we only have one product, just think what the boat/lure/motor/rod guys get.

It's going to take time and some concentrated effort on your part to dedicate the time to honing the communication skills and being able to sell not only yourself, but the products you end up representing. People do listen to these sponsored pros, and quickly spot when they're getting snowed by a guy who may just be getting "paid" to be there.

Many others have a spin on this issue, and have lived through this and/or still are. They can offer a tremendous insight into it. I've read many such postings over the years and these people are willing to share their experiences.

Good luck to you...be patient and keep the faith. Good luck on the water too!

Mike Michalak
President
Fishing Hot Spots, Inc.

[Eye Catcher]

Well said Mike.


Just remember every thing you do and say from now on...

Somebody will and they might call you on it some day.
It's a dogy dog world and your wearing milk bone underware.

It can be alot of fun but it is alot more work than peoplr think.
Good Luck
Eye Catcher

[Backwater Eddy]

Dabble before you dive.

It is HARD to break into the game without learning and listening, a whole lot!

Like Mike and many others here who know have said, build people skills and as many industry based skills as possable, than a sponsor may need what you have to offer.

I am dabbling and it is a day to day learning experance. I now know it takes tons of hours just to get a peek into the game.

Good luck and I am all for chasing a dream, I know the feeling very well!

BE...><ND>

[Peluso]

Mike from another Mike well said! I have been at the game of promoting walleyes for a long time now. I know this sounds funny coming from a 26 year old, but believe me when I say long, and dedicated time. Mike is right on with being able to sell yourself to your sponsors. Many times it is a positional type thing where certain people have a background or reputation as being sellable. What I mean by this is, what this person backs, people believe, respect and trust he is not using a certain product because of money. This does not happen over night and nor should it. Many companies are very happy telling you they will give you product as a trade off for some advertising. The money sponsors are a lot tougher! I have some but would love to have more of course. :) Advertising can be a number of different things from seminars, articles, radio, TV, sports shows etc. In my case I am able to lay claim to TV, articles, in-store promotions, tournaments, radio, hockey schools, and of course my Pro Hockey and fishing careers. Doing both for a living I am able to utilize this to help generate another audience or name recognition and exposure. I am not saying I am a well known person, but I know my name gets recognized many times as being the Fishing/Hockey guy. A tag I am very willing to accept responsibility for. I can't even begin to tell you how many little kids come up to me in the summer to tell me they saw my fishing program on TV. What a thrill for me to know my words are being absorbed by our future outdoors people. Something that I feel a lot of people are forgetting in the fishing and hunting world. Hockey has trained me to be a marketable person in so many ways it would be impossible to tell you all of them. We are always in the public eye, TV, radio and newspapers are around asking for quotes or interviews. Schools and hospital appearences are done weekly, with visits to other places all year round. I can say I am very comfortable talking with people and being in the public eye. For that I have to thank hockey and my parents for how they raised me. I know this has gotten long winded, but what I am saying is you need to figure out your special angle in this area. Mine is hockey, fishing and being able to communicate with people of all age groups. Look for yours and try to sell it to your potential backers. Good fishing and don't forget to shoot the puck. Mike Peluso www.mikepeluso.net

[Fuzzy]

Best of luck - there's some really good advice here.

Ever hear the old addage, 'be careful what you wish for, you just might get it'? Maybe take some smaller steps before jumping in head first. Try a partner tour or the Am side of a Pro Am tour. See what it's like. Maybe you've done that already, but it may be important for you to understand that a week of tournament fishing(pre-fish, trave, prep, compete) is very different from serious fishing. Remember the movie "Forrest Gump";

"Bubba never told me this, but SHRIMPIN IS TOUGH" ;)

Hope all works out for ya.

[Ericak]

Lilfish-

Feel free to review my website, otdrs1.com for more information about my agency regarding marketing planning, trading cards, and portfolio creation. We also review portfolios to give you an idea of your strengths, weaknesses, and recommended strategies. We can help you develop your image, proposals, letters of inquiries, and other aspects related to becoming a Professional Angler.

What I can recommend to anyone interested in pursuing a professional sportfishing career is a class in writing and public speaking, even if you have great presentation skills. To impress a potential sponsor you will need to get the media exposure. Making the reporter's job easier by providing a well written, accurate bio, as well as well constructed sound bites, will garner considerable favor.

I look forward to hearing from you and working with you in the near future. Good luck. Remember, for every time someone says, no, the budget just isn't there, there are five other companies wondering how they can make an impact in the sportfishing community. -Erica Kalkofen

[Hooks]

Mike and Mike great answers! I wish some of these companies (not all most) would spend a little money to help generate more interest in the fishing business. I think they fail to realize in order to keep growing the sport of walleye fishing they need to advertise more! Pay more top guys rather then just give up product for a hat and a T-shirt. I think I got paid by someone I would be out trying to sell more product for whoever paid me. Just a thought? Hooks

[Lilfish]

Thanx for the great reply guys! I do appreciate it.

In response to a couple replys.......My feet are a lil wet. (lol)
I know of the commitment and grind that may be coming if things fall in place. I have had some experience. In my first year (1999) of pro circuit fishing; my partner and I were able to capture the points championship (dare i say it here) for the Wi division of the Basschampions tour. And i have had some successes here on the Bay in the walleye tourneys.....am good friends w/ many guys doin the grind full time. Suffice to say I know what I am in for; and am also quite confident in my abilities to get the fish in the boat.
But it is becoming more and more apparent that skills on the water are only a small part of the picture. But that is not to imply that I'm discouraged by that fact. For I think I can bring far more than any recognition that might follow a high-profile victory or crown....but now I'm getting beyond myself.....
Thank you very much for the replies and advice! It didnt fall on deaf ears...and i will be contacting a couple of you...Thanks again!

Carl Grunwaldt
Groony@aol.com


I am ready willing and able to make the commitment necessary...(though my savings account may beg to differ)!