Local sponsorship?
2334
Member
2426 days
Tribro posted 3 years ago.
I have heard of people doing this. I haven't done it myself but I think to get started you just have to start knocking on doors. See who might be interested. Put together a resume (so to speak) with your previous race accomplishments and your 2005 schedule and how you could benefit their business. Being local you'll want to show you'll be at many local events. Most I know who have had success are top level age groupers so they get more exposure being on the podium or just being in the front of the pack.
It's basically a selling game, if you can sell yourself then go for it. I know people who had local mortgage brokers, real estate agents, juice bars, and running shops sponsor them.
good luck.
8
Member
1411 days
Ir0nman posted 3 years ago.
For my part, I'm sponsored by a local bike shop (http://www.jhlamontagne.com/). They lend me a bike and give me tri suits with their name on, However, the bike is for sale. I'm trying to sell the bike during the season (usualy at the end). If I sell it, the bike shop give me a new bike, if not, I keep it until I, or they, sell it. They also support all the maintenance and adjustment of the bike during the season.
It allows me to have a new bike season after season. I did not have to ask for that sponsoring. They offered to support me after I got the second place in an Ironman distance race in my city.
I just ask them one thing: Not to put any pressure on me. I dont want to feel forced to participate to any race. I'm doing that sport to have fun. They understood very well and I'm free to participate to any race I want without pressure.
The bike shop is happy because they encourage a local athlete and because their products and their name are seen in many event AND because i'm selling at leat 1 bike each year (mine).
May be you could discuss about that idea with your local bike shop !
(I usualy speak french, sorry for the bad vocabulary)
Tommy Lemay
Ironman
1355
Member
1395 days
christri25 posted 3 years ago.
Hi, I have done this. I was sponsored by a restaurant that I ate at a lot. It was a trendy good restaurant. I approached them with the idea and they seemed to be interested. The idea is to approach them with the idea that you will create more business for them. So, I put together a resume and what service I would provide for them. I offered to hand out coupons and brochures.... to make sure i was wearing a shirt when getting awards and such to get them exposure. You figure most tris in central florida have over 1000 people racing., After the race I would cool down and put flyers on cars. I also had a sponsorship from a hair laser removal place. They gave me some laser treatment and I did the same for them. They had not thought of all the swimmers and triathletes in the area that would take advantage of this service. I was able to score at least 3,000 a year. I have no sponsors currently.
The KEY is to tell them how they benefit not how you benefit. Advertising is expensive and if a couple hundred dollars can create a thousand impression of their business it has a value to them. If you can finish in the top 5 that helps.
Chris
``It's not as if I'm going to sit around and be a fat slob,''
Lance Armstrong 2005
64
Member
1964 days
mike101 posted 3 years ago.
I have a link on the computer at home I'll post when there. It has some good insights on how to obtain sponsorships.
One thing not mentioned yet is when putting together your resume, include goups you are working with. If you lead any training rides or runs. Do you teach a masters swim program. Basically, anything that gets you notice while in the community. The article really sums up how to do it quite well. If I dont rememberto post the link tonight, I'm getting older ya know, drop me an email for a reminder.
Mike "Work is kicking by arse" Morris
"If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it."
Margaret Fuller
210
Member
1464 days
jmcglos posted 3 years ago.
Thanks for all your info! Mike - definitely let me know when you find that article! I have already started talking to a few people - places where I already know the people - the Gold's Gym that I belong to and my apartment building complex - which is owned by Charles E. Smith - who owns about half the buildings in the DC area it seems - and properties in other big cities. So they're willing to help me out. I'm starting to put together a resume and a detailed race calendar. If you have any other advice, I'm all open to it!
Thanks again, I really appreciate the help. This forum has some great people willing to help and give great advice.
64
Member
1964 days
mike101 posted 3 years ago.
Good Luck!
"If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it."
Margaret Fuller
67
Member
1613 days
ibgenaro posted 3 years ago.
If someone is able to find a sponsor, what is a fair exchange! I mean, if a company provides you with apparel with thier logo on it, how long should you wear that apparel. An example would be if you were to compete in a tri with 400-500 participants, you talk to some people afterwards etc, by wearing apparel with their logo how much does that equate to in dollars. I guess if I was to go out and look for sponsorship what is equal trade???
2334
Member
2426 days
Tribro posted 3 years ago.
I think that does depend on the exposure. How many people at the races, how visible you will be - pre, during, post. Most of the age groupers (and pros actually) don't get $$ as much as gear or travel expenses.
For example, except for a few high profile professionals, most I know get bonuses based on podium finishes or media coverage and free gear. Some are salaried as well, but pretty low salaries unless you're top 10 Hawaii Finisher. Other local age groupers have received store discounts, race registration fees, travel expenses, but again they were podium finishers.
Don't know any people personally who have received cash. But it's basically a seller's game. If you're a good salesmen you've got a better shot and getting cash bonuses. There are some age groupers out there with better spnsorship than pros :)
89
Member
1667 days
krbrownabq posted 3 years ago.
Most places just give you a jersey, food, etc. I'm part of a locally sponsored cycling team, but they count my time trials and triathlons toward my competition requirement (10 races per season). Put it to them this way - as an age grouper, you'll take longer to finish. That's more time out there for their logo.
Kelli
64
Member
1964 days
mike101 posted 3 years ago.
Paul is right, most age groupers wont be seeing any cash. When looking at local sponsorship you should be able to answer the question," If I, store owner, give you anything for sponsorship, what am I going to get back as a direct result of the sponsorship?"
I have not been sponsored for triathlons, but have been for other sports. When first establishing a relationship I didnt ask for much. At one point I was a sponsored soccer player and got 2 free pairs of shoes the first year for wearing a local stores t-shirt to all practices and games. Half way through the first year I approached the owner and asked if he felt he was getting the benefits he expected when sponsoring me. He didnt know, how do you track it? We agreed to give anyone that came into the store and used my name a 5 % discount. This allowed him to track the sales generated directly from me. Six months later we discovered I was the second leader in sales, behind only the owner but I never worked inthe store). Now that I had him sold on my benefit the perks I recieved grew substantially.
How does that answer your question? Take whatever they will give you for the first year. Find a way to track sales they generate as a direct result of you. If after a period of time you can demonstrate you have helped their bottom line, then you ask for more. I look at local sponsorships as relationship building. Start slow and small, then build to something equally larger.
"If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it."
Margaret Fuller
210
Member
1464 days
jmcglos posted 3 years ago.
Great advice all! Thanks for all the input. I have also talked to a local bar that I frequent, and a bike shop. Everyone has been really responsive and positive so far. So we'll see where this goes. It's actually kind of fun to be your own salesperson! And it gives you an opportunity to meet more people - not just people in your own field of work (engineering in my case).
mike101 - thanks for the great link. it is definitely extremely helpful - especially in knowing how to word the cover letter!
37
Member
1315 days
ericford70 posted 3 years ago.
I just wanted to bump up this thread to see if there were any other 'Sponsorship' stories. The more info the better. I hope to be sponsored someday.
.jpg "tcrunner07's picture")
350
Member
1421 days
tcrunner07 posted 3 years ago.
i am sponsored by a local bike shop called Locomotion in Winter Park, Fl. THe owner is giving me a tri suit to race in and everything i buy in the store is at cost plus 10%...that great for me...and when i bought my bike...i got a GREAT deal on it and i am gettn ready to buy another bike...a roadie...and he is adding logos to the clothes that i already have..and gives me free maintance and cost plus 10% on parts
its a good deal...and im on part of his small junior team...me and another junior..so its all good.
If you get a flat, and don't have a tube, Suck it up and run it in!!!
I was wondering if any of you have pursued getting local sponsorship for your races. Maybe wearing tri suits with the business name? Or even their providing jerseys for your training rides so that when you ride them on the road people will see their name? If you have done this, where did you start? How did you approach the company? Was it successful?
I read an article on the internet (I think it was the email from Her Sports) that talked about a lady who did this - and I can't find the article anymore. She approached local businesses (I'm thinking even local bars that I frequent) and they now pay for her race registration, travel, and clothes. I have been approached by trainers at the Gold's Gym where my parents live that wanted me to participate in local fitness/physique shows and competitions - being sponsored by them because it looks good for their gym - so I'm thinking maybe doing this with races.
Just wanted your opinions! Thanks!!