Just wondering how anyone on here has gone about approaching sponsors and how you have managed to attract the sponsors you have (if any). Did you go and see them, ring, send a letter, etc?
I am working through the road blocks in regards to starting off roading and obviously finance is a big one so I am looking at ways to lessen the pain. Obviously it is tough to get a sponsor especially when you don't even have a car but thought I would start to work on it either way.
Also, I get the feeling my employer may be interested in sponsoring me and I was thinking of going through that with them in the next little bit as I have a pay discussion coming up too. What are the tax implications of sponsoring an employee and how can you split out what is wage and what is sponsorship? I am thinking that I can off set some wage income for a sponsorship and that can benefit both of us.
With regard to your employer you will need to talk to an accountant. There are some good books on the sponsorship subject but remember this. A companys sponsorship is a form of advertising so you must look at what benefit you can give a potential sponsor for his dollar. Why should he give you a dollar and not spend it in print media, radio etc.? Often it is easier to get a companys product or service for free instead of a dollar. Look at what you need to go racing and what type of companies can help you save money for other things. e.g. a local service station for petrol costs to get to race meetings. Consider it a business transaction and not a donation. Also remember that getting a sponsor is one thing, keeping him is another.
yeah what dusteater said. from personal experience sometimes you start buy phonecall or email, and sometimes you just walk in the door and ask. but you should always start with what you can do for them, research your advantages as far as exposure and product movement for them. sometimes you have to give them something first, photo dvd or otherwise. as for keeping sponsors, i spend almost as much time talking to them as fixing the car. i go to shows with them(car aswell), sell product for some. and always make sure that they know how i went at events, through sometimes long winded emails and event reports. im sure you get the idea, for more ideas check out www.dominationmotorsport.com.au and http://www.myspace.com/dominationmotorsport, just another way i give my sponsors exposure and hunt for new ones.
