My name is Jordan and I'm currently competing for a spot on a DVD that will consist of 10 teams. In order to be able to be voted in, you have to come up with sponsor(s)to represent your team. I have made a lot of contacts with a variety of companies and all they say is we will look into your contest and they haven't got back to me. I know this is going to be a hard process,since our website just started running this last September and there is not a whole lot of advertising on it currently, but I believe that is this contest turns out, this website will be booming. Do any of you guys have any info/tips you can give me to try and make this work for my teammate and I. I will post a link to our website so you can check it out for yourself. I know some of you on this website are currently members, and it is great to see you there. Thanks for your time. Jordan www.wisconsinoutdoorsnetwork.org
I looked over the site and while I do like the idea, it's going to be very hard for unproven hunter/cameramen teams to gain monetary sponsorship for a contest that hasn't proven itself, on a site that doesn't really get that much traffic. IMO they would be much better off having this open to anyone who wants to enter. Trying to find people to pay you for "advertising" on an unproven site with unproven people is going to be very tough. As for advice on how to get sponsors - all I can tell you is that in this industry it's all about who you know. Network with as many people as possible, put together an official sponsorship letter or media kit, a DVD highlight reel if possible, and start making phonecalls and sending emails. Good luck with things, keep us informed on how they unfold!
I know getting sponsors can be rough.....a preview of the footage you are producing or how YOU would benefit them as a sponsor can go a really long way.....They get calls daily asking for a money or product sponsorship, but few actually prove how the said sponsorship would benefit them as a company. Because of the volume of these requests, many companies have to assume that you are just looking for free gear or money, until you prove otherwise. Be persistent, be professional, be courteous, and above all....show them how YOU can help them by them helping you. Tell them where the show will air, what kind of advertisement will they be getting, where will you be representing them, are you producing DVDs, etc.... Just some thoughts that you may already have covered. If you need sponsors just for the sake of having X number of sponsors (rather than needing them to help front the money needed to make the cut), pursuing a product sponsorship can go a LONG way over a monetary sponsorship...as a company owner, they are MUCH more willing to give you free/discounted merchandise than actual money and still be listed as a sponsor. What are you needing from a sponsor?
Here are the Sponsor(s) options. Sponsorship: The participating businesses will benefit by receiving valuable ad space and exposure, (this is not an entry fee or donation, businesses will be purchasing advertising). They will receive their paid for advertising space regardless of how their team does. We think that this is a great opportunity for hunters and for sponsors. The website has drawn fans and viewers from 44 states across the U.S. since its creation in September, and is growing rapidly across the state. We urge anyone interested to review our google analytics to see the amount of exposure the site has received. We look forward to future opportunities as the popularity of the Network grows. Teams will receive brochures that will explain this opportunity to potential sponsors. Option 1: Main sponsor - $500.00 Package includes: a. Team named after company b. Advertising on the Wisconsin Outdoors Network throughout the contest c. Banner ad on contributing team page d. Advertising space at the beginning of the DVD Secondary sponsor - $250.00 Package includes: a. Banner ad on the Wisconsin Outdoors Network b. Ad space credits at the end of the DVD c. Banner ad on the team page Option 2: Split Sponsor - $375 Split Sponsor - $375 a. Split team name between 2 sponsors b. Split banner ad on Wisconsin Outdoors Network c. Split Advertising Space at the beginning of the DVD
You need to get yourself a sweet leather vest, then put all kinds of product stickers and patches all over it. You'll need to project the image of bowhunting success. Buy a couple big racks on ebay. Hang out at bow shows and deer festivals. Talk about people "in the business." If you don't know the answers, make something up. The key is to look and sound like you are a deer hunting celebrity. Make a self-promotion website. Use buzzwords like "Tecomate," "Soil PH," "Leases," and "Iowa." Before you know it, you'll be the next Ted Barta. You will never have to work. Just hunt all the time. j/k Seriously. I'll throw $10 into the pot if you'll promise to wear a hat that says "Sponsored by the Undisputed King of Archery."
You should check out www.xtremehunterschallenge.com This is going to be someones ticket to being a professional hunter for life.
