mrlegoman

How do I setup a sponsorship proposal?

A potential sponsor has requested a proposal from me. I've never done one before and looking for advice on how to even start one. Do I simply put together a brief track history, experience and planned events? I know any sponsor is looking to get the best bang for their buck. But all my current sponsors have been obtained very casually so to say. Is a proposal as basic as a track resume with simple facts? Or do I need to try to 'sell' myself?

Lo-Buck EF

talk to aahj. i'm sure he's fluent in this now a days.

Autocratic

Don't flame me on this if anyone doesn't completely agree, but I did this quick with the general idea of writing a persuasive message.



You're trying to sell the idea of them giving you money/parts/discounts, etc, so:

1) You need to introduce yourself, your racing history and any records, what you're trying to accomplish with your racing, and where you want to go (the "next 5 years question")

2) You need to let them know what you need from a sponsor. Don't mention specifics like money or parts, but just the general idea of what you're looking for (dedication from the sponsor, racing enthusiasts, etc)

3) They need to know their incentives for giving you money/parts/major discounts, etc. What are they getting out of it? Why should they give you these things.

4) Wrap it all up with your love for racing, and your dedication to performing 110% each weekend and finishing races. Sponsors don't like it when their advertisments aren't on the track.

mrlegoman

^^^^
Good info!!

sidtc

I remember some informative seminar excerpts broadcast on the Road Racers' Podcast.
Check these out:

http://raceremote.com/media/roadrace...a-style-part-1

http://raceremote.com/media/roadrace...a-style-part-2

It's consistent with the points made by Autocratic.

PIC Performance

A company already knows what you're going to try and offer them in return for a sponsorship - "I'll spread the word at the track, and I'll tell my racing friends to buy your stuff, I'm talking to Super Street / D-sport / Honda Tuning / etc to get an article written" etc etc etc....... Any company sponsoring anything will want to make sure, first and foremost, that their name is exposed to their target audience as often as possible. And that means you need to show that you have the means to be at the track as often as possible, as consistently as possible, with a car that runs and a driver that has the ability to make it across the finish line every race. Your name covering the entire rear quarter panel is entirely useless if the car is sitting on/in a trailer for the whole weekend - or worse, not even at the track because the car's driver ran out of funds due to all his money being tied up in 2 sets of TE37's and a turbo kit that keeps setting his engine bay on fire.

What that doesn't mean is rattling off a list of podium finishes, future mods and name-dropping in the hopes that the potential partner (not sponsor...) will be so wow'd by these things that they'll forget that they have not yet even seen your car on the track at a single race. Company's large enough to support one car's entire race season are not dumb, they know that anyone grassroots racing a Honda is more than likely racing on a budget, and will look at any proposal first with skepticism. So convince them that you have a dedication to the sport, that you see it as more than just a hobby that gets dropped as soon as funds run low, that you've put a lot of thought and effort into planning your upcoming season and that they are getting an actual partner in marketing, and not just another name at the track.

JW racing

^^ Well said.

I would like to add, and most racers on here can agree as well, that many of these sponsorships are just discounts.So do not treat the small 30% off guy any less than the big company who actually gave you free parts. It is a part-time job of sort.One agrees to be an outside salesman at the moment a discount or sponsored item is granted.One also needs to be prepared for the time and effort it takes to return the favor to a associate or sponsor,before they persue a partnership. It's like a Girlfriend,sometimes you want to bail and go meet another chick but loyalty and patience will yield great rewards!

So Legoman- Get your notable runs down on paper,what your plans are and who you work with.Show the potential partner you have effort,like a website of your racing, and treat people as you want to be treated and you will get your goals with time and patience.It is all about presentation and backing it up,dont prop yourself up and you cant back up your program. I can vouch from my experiences so far,because it has taken me longer than expected to be at a competitive level and thankfully my partners understood that and now are happy to see the reward of their patience and loyalty.So for that they only deserve the best effort.

Tarmac Junkie

I need to put one of these together also...

KIWI

You mean something like this...?
http://www.specialprojectsms.com/index.php?categoryID=8

Kiwi

realride

well worth the money Kiwi, good job
trust me guys this is the way to go to get results.

Benny

JW racing

It worked for me!

MV99-S

it helps when you have something that no ones ever thought of before