How to Successfully Obtain SponsorshipsBy: "The Shaman of Sexxxy" Abel J. G. "Auggie" CarvNo matter the art, be it modeling, music, or MMA, artists need money to support what they are doing. Without shows, gigs, and sales, maybe even with them, these artists need ways to support their passion and give themselves the materials to succeed in the arts. Besides having a full-time or part-time job to support oneself and fund their artisan career, models, musicians, and mixed martial artists often find themselves seeking sponsorships, but they don't know the secrets to obtaining them. In this article, I will enlighten you. Where to Look?This answer should be obvious, but to most it isn't. The answer is: ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE. This is because most places can use some sort of advertisement and if you fit with their brand, can promote a positive image, and can get them exposure which can lead to money, then its logical for them to sponsor you. That being said, not all places will have the same budget. Normally auto dealerships, hospitals, lawyers, and large firms have larger budgets so they maybe good places to look, however; it's better to stick to places and services you use and can represent honestly.
Be KnowledgeableThis is a double ended sword. You should not only be knowledgeable about you art, but on the place/person and the products/services of the potential sponsor. Nobody wants to have someone represent their products if they don't know what they're representing. Nobody also wants their products represented in a field by someone who doesn't even know the field. If you cannot be knowledgeable about both, don't get the sponsorship, it'll surely backfire on you in the end.
Watch Yourself 24/7Everything you do, everything you say is a reflection on not only you, but your sponsors as well. It doesn't matter if you are perfect in the lime-light, if you are a bad person in private, people will know and it hurts your marketability. It doesn't matter if you are perfect in private, but have issues in the lime-light, you still aren't very marketable. You need to be on your best behavior every second of everyday.
Mix Business With Personal"Don't mix business with pleasure/personal." That is cliché nonsense. If you get along with someone, have a friendship with someone, have some sort of relationship with someone, they are more likely to want to invest in you. You should also be more interested in promoting and profiting someone you care about's brand. This, however; is not a card to take advantage of someone due to a relationship or trust.
Realize that You are ReplaceableAlmost everyone that is looking for sponsorships is hungry and passionate about their art. They are trying to be the best at their art and the best representative of the sponsors. You need to be too. If you slip or lose qualities you had when you first got a sponsorship, you are liable to be and probably will be replaced.
I believe in everything I said in this article and hope that many people head my advice and use it to get sponsorships. Please keep me posted, also feel free to comment via the polls and the blog. |
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