Defining a sponsorship...

[Kathryn]

I wish I had a dollar for every time I gave someone advice on sponsorships.

It's very easy

1. Write a proposal (what do you have done, what do you want to do, what events are you attending and have pictures of the car)-and not ones in your driveway.

2. On your list of events..make sure they are ligit (they will check) and that the events are realistic (if you live in GA and all your events are in CA, that might waive a red flag)

3. Pictures: keep them simple, clean, but show different angles- make your pictures stand out (Steve Kubon was great at this)

4. Decide what parts you need. Make a list and figure out what companies offer them. The worst is when a company gets a call asking if soemone can get an intake for their car and the company only makes wheels. You can kiss a shot at the wheels goodbye too.

5. Do your research. Look online, find out what companies sponsor and how much off they give. If you know AEM will give you 50%, but Injen will give you 100%. Start at Injen first. Sponsors hate bending over backwards to get you a special deal and then you don't take it.

6. Who to call? Everyone always ask me "Do you know anyone over at ________?" How do you think I got the name? I called, emailed, researched who the marketing directors were and did sales pitches. I told them who I was, what I was doing and convinced them that sponsorsing me would have a return investment. Some believed me, most didn't. You gotta pick up the phone and try.

7. Ok so you created a proposal, got pictures and emailed it out. But why haven't they called me? Why because you are the one looking for the free parts. Follow-up is key here and if I had to say what is most important- IT'S FOLLOW UP. Don't harass them, but do send follow-up emails, maybe even leave a voicemail. Make them remember your name. Also, even if they do tell you no, keep in touch with them, they will remember all your emails and say wow this guy is persistant.

8. Ok so they finally said yes- Now what? get the parts, put them on your car, get vinyl showing their logos, take pictures and get your car and their product out there! Otherwise, new product and next years budget will look right over your name.

Be honest, be detailed, but don't annoy.

You don't need a fully modded car in order to get sponsored. You just need ambition and confidence. A nice personality would be nice too

[IntegraXTR]

I wish I had a dollar for every time I gave someone advice on sponsorships.

It's very easy

1. Write a proposal (what do you have done, what do you want to do, what events are you attending and have pictures of the car)-and not ones in your driveway.

2. On your list of events..make sure they are ligit (they will check) and that the events are realistic (if you live in GA and all your events are in CA, that might waive a red flag)

3. Pictures: keep them simple, clean, but show different angles- make your pictures stand out (Steve Kubon was great at this)

4. Decide what parts you need. Make a list and figure out what companies offer them. The worst is when a company gets a call asking if soemone can get an intake for their car and the company only makes wheels. You can kiss a shot at the wheels goodbye too.

5. Do your research. Look online, find out what companies sponsor and how much off they give. If you know AEM will give you 50%, but Injen will give you 100%. Start at Injen first. Sponsors hate bending over backwards to get you a special deal and then you don't take it.

6. Who to call? Everyone always ask me "Do you know anyone over at ________?" How do you think I got the name? I called, emailed, researched who the marketing directors were and did sales pitches. I told them who I was, what I was doing and convinced them that sponsorsing me would have a return investment. Some believed me, most didn't. You gotta pick up the phone and try.

7. Ok so you created a proposal, got pictures and emailed it out. But why haven't they called me? Why because you are the one looking for the free parts. Follow-up is key here and if I had to say what is most important- IT'S FOLLOW UP. Don't harass them, but do send follow-up emails, maybe even leave a voicemail. Make them remember your name. Also, even if they do tell you no, keep in touch with them, they will remember all your emails and say wow this guy is persistant.

8. Ok so they finally said yes- Now what? get the parts, put them on your car, get vinyl showing their logos, take pictures and get your car and their product out there! Otherwise, new product and next years budget will look right over your name.

Be honest, be detailed, but don't annoy.

You don't need a fully modded car in order to get sponsored. You just need ambition and confidence. A nice personality would be nice too

great write up, that should answer alot of questions

[Tracy]

I wish I had a dollar for every time I gave someone advice on sponsorships.

It's very easy

1. Write a proposal (what do you have done, what do you want to do, what events are you attending and have pictures of the car)-and not ones in your driveway.

2. On your list of events..make sure they are ligit (they will check) and that the events are realistic (if you live in GA and all your events are in CA, that might waive a red flag)

3. Pictures: keep them simple, clean, but show different angles- make your pictures stand out (Steve Kubon was great at this)

4. Decide what parts you need. Make a list and figure out what companies offer them. The worst is when a company gets a call asking if soemone can get an intake for their car and the company only makes wheels. You can kiss a shot at the wheels goodbye too.

5. Do your research. Look online, find out what companies sponsor and how much off they give. If you know AEM will give you 50%, but Injen will give you 100%. Start at Injen first. Sponsors hate bending over backwards to get you a special deal and then you don't take it.

6. Who to call? Everyone always ask me "Do you know anyone over at ________?" How do you think I got the name? I called, emailed, researched who the marketing directors were and did sales pitches. I told them who I was, what I was doing and convinced them that sponsorsing me would have a return investment. Some believed me, most didn't. You gotta pick up the phone and try.

7. Ok so you created a proposal, got pictures and emailed it out. But why haven't they called me? Why because you are the one looking for the free parts. Follow-up is key here and if I had to say what is most important- IT'S FOLLOW UP. Don't harass them, but do send follow-up emails, maybe even leave a voicemail. Make them remember your name. Also, even if they do tell you no, keep in touch with them, they will remember all your emails and say wow this guy is persistant.

8. Ok so they finally said yes- Now what? get the parts, put them on your car, get vinyl showing their logos, take pictures and get your car and their product out there! Otherwise, new product and next years budget will look right over your name.

Be honest, be detailed, but don't annoy.

You don't need a fully modded car in order to get sponsored. You just need ambition and confidence. A nice personality would be nice too

Too bad it hasn't been as easy as you say for us I do all of these....it only started working when I got to know people in the industry.

[Kathryn]

Too bad it hasn't been as easy as you say for us I do all of these....it only started working when I got to know people in the industry.

I started with a stock car and knew no one. You just have to be persistant and keep trying. My first sponsorship was only 50% off. I had to work for the freebies. Now years down the road I know people- but still I have to produce results to get the product.