sponsorship

[GuyDawg9]

hey, wondering how do you get either part of full sponsorship from archery companies. as i would like to start to get some sponsors. so if anyone is interest in sponsoring a young junoir archer that is shooting at an international level for cadet compound let me know.:D

[DanceswithDingoes]

Go onto the Archery talk forum and pm a guy with the handle of 'onebowtie' and tell him you think Bowtech bows are the 'duck's nuts' and you may get a sponsorship.

[Kerrie W]

:rofl:

[paulrb]

hey, wondering how do you get either part of full sponsorship from archery companies. as i would like to start to get some sponsors. so if anyone is interest in sponsoring a young junoir archer that is shooting at an international level for cadet compound let me know.:D

Also send in a list of your achievments..... That usually does it.

Mine is so short that I aint gonna bother... 'beat those with equipment failure at the states'

"Got as wet as Jim Park at the state short course"

If yours is more impressive.... it is worth a try.

Also pick companies like ROSS that are trying to break into the OZ market with their bows. They are likely to want name shooters on board.

[Marcus]

hey, wondering how do you get either part of full sponsorship from archery companies. as i would like to start to get some sponsors. so if anyone is interest in sponsoring a young junoir archer that is shooting at an international level for cadet compound let me know.:D
Well done in Mexico Guy. ;) You did awesome.

First thing is you need to get picked up by a shop. Few companies will notice you if the local dealers don't. This is tough because your geographical location will play a huge part in it.
Urban for example sponsors some archers outside of Victoria, but our main market is here. If you were in Vic, chances are you'ld be picked up by someone.

Secondly is resumes. When you apply to a company send in a well presented resume. Remember it's like going for a job. They get heaps of BS sponsorship requests all the time. Especially the US market. Send in a resume with pictures and that will help.

Thirdly keep it real. If you BS them you will be found out. (you should be fine there, but have to say for others who are reading)

Finally don't shoot stuff unless you believe in the product. If you think drop aways are crap and then get sponsored for one you will lose creditbility. Also don't slam opposition gear. You never know who may buy out who.
;)

Good luck.

[Eberbachl]

Good luck indeed Guy,

I second Marcus' comments - particularly in believing in the gear you're using.

Don't take gear just for free, unless you'd be happy to pay to use it.

Too many people get caught up in the "gee I'm sponsored now" caper, and forget why they're there in the first place.

Believe in the gear you use, and represent the companies well.

And, as Marcus said - never bag somebody else's product to make yours look good. Sell it on it's own merits - ie: point out it's good points rather than your competitor's bad points. It's a much classier, and respectful way to go.

;)

[ninevalleys]

welcome to the forum Guy!, you finally got round to making an account eh?? ROFL

NV

[Progen]

Begging usually helps. Worked for me. ;)

[kae]

Begging usually helps. Worked for me. ;)


Only because beatings are illegal.

[James Park]

The advice from Marcus and Eberbachl is excellent.

I think it is important to knbow WHY archers get sponsored.
Manufacturers are in business to make a profit for their owners. They are not in it to be simply phillanthropists. The manufacturers that stay around for a while are usually clever businessmen who know how to extract sufficient money from the sport to keep their revenue above their expenses.
That is: if they are to spend some of that money on providing gear for an archer it is definitely not because they want to reduce their profit. Any sponsored gear must be seen by the manufacturer as likely to provide a very significantly greater financial return than its cost. Similarly, providing that gear to archer A instead of to archer B will be on the basis that archer A is going to provide a greater financial return than archer B.

Hence, to be successfully sponsored, you certainly need to know the value proposition you are providing for your sponsor. That is: by sponsoring you, exactly how do you help them make more money than they would if they did not sponsor you, or if they sponsored someone else instead? If you have a good answer for that one, then sponsorship is obvious and will happen.

If you seek sponsorship simply because you are a good shot or because "you deserve it", will most likely not lead to a useful relationship, or to one that is sustainable.

That is: it is exactly the same as applying for a job - by employing YOU, the firm needs to make more profit. Otherwise they should not do it.

It is also of key importance to remember that it is the best value in the eyes of the business that matters, not as seen by you. That is: there may be some archer who, as you see it, is nowhere near as worthy as yourself, but he is nevertheless sponsored. You need to accept that, as that is how it is seen as best value by the sponsor, and your task is to behave in such a manner, and to have a value proposition that IN HIS EYES is better value than alternatives.

Once you are sponsored, it is still then exactly like a job. Virtually all employees have regular performance appraisals (and in some successful organisations, they automatically drop off the bottom 25% of employees each year, even if that 25% are still doing a reasonable job - pretty brutal, but keeps them with top performing staff). As a sponsored archer, you have pressure to keep your value to your sponsor up as high as possible, or you can expect it to pretty quickly be turned off (which is right and proper).

I think it is also important to very carefully understand why it is that you want to be sponsored. It definitely comes with a set of responsibilities and a reduction in freedom - you are no longer free to do things that might otherwise have been possible. Also, definitely do not accept a sponsorship to use a product that you would not have been prepared to use in an un-sponsored situation.

For example: I am sponsored by PSE and they kindly provided me with my current bow, an AR34. I think if I were to go and purchase a new compound bow, I would want to buy an AR34 (were they still manufactured). Hence, a good and useful deal. If PSE were to insist that I shoot a bow that did not strongly appeal to me, the relationship would not work, either for them or for me.