'Sponsorships' for AM players?
- Thread starter D_Lewis
- Start date
It is a 2 way street. Let's say I make a cue for you & give you a shirt to wear, with my logo on it. Now I have lost the cost of the materials to make the Q & I've lost the income, I would have gotten from selling the Q. What do I get out of it???????? I've done this several times & rarely has it ever made a sale for me. You get a Q, I get nothing. It just doesn't work. SORRY...JER
Sponsoring someone or a team is basically charity or giving the money away IMO. I used to work in a bowling alley and they had leagues 6 days/nites a week and they all had a company name on the back. Mine were Berwyn Hardware, and Devicos Gulf station. They did get the sponsor name in the local news paper everyweek with results which was cool, and if you won a trophy you always give it to the sponsor.
As for pool and sponsors?....tough racket unless you are Joe Worldbeater! You need to be a top flight player before anyone wants their name on you. I think the best answer so far is to make your own shirts and put something funny on them like....this space for rent, or sponsor wanted apply within....and have an arrow pointing to your head!
good luck, and think out of the box on this one........its not easy, but when you find one you'll say...that was easy!
As for pool and sponsors?....tough racket unless you are Joe Worldbeater! You need to be a top flight player before anyone wants their name on you. I think the best answer so far is to make your own shirts and put something funny on them like....this space for rent, or sponsor wanted apply within....and have an arrow pointing to your head!
good luck, and think out of the box on this one........its not easy, but when you find one you'll say...that was easy!
BLACKHEARTCUES said:
Sponsorships are hard to come by unless you are a championship caliber player, and they aren't too great then. I have arranged to set a Guinness World Record for most consecutive games played and have yet to find a sponsor other than numerous rooms to host the event. I don't even want to keep anything. My intentions were for all products/cues/memorabilia to be sold in charity auction or returned to the vendor.
Good luck on sponsorship, but I doubt you find any.
D_Lewis...Here's my suggestion. Years ago I had a jr. player that won the opportunity to go to the BCA Jr. Nationals in Las Vegas (from Montana). He had no extra money for the trip, so he and I printed up a nice letter, made copies, and went around to all the local businesses (not just pool-related), telling them about the upcoming trip, and asking for a small donation ($25-$50). He got about 20 businesses to take part. In return, we had a shirt made with all of the "sponsors" logos printed on the back, and he wore the shirt while he was competing in Vegas. Before he left, we wrote a letter to the local newspaper, outlining his upcoming trip to the national tournament, mentioned the generosity of the sponsors, and that we would report back with the results. Again, after returning, he wrote another letter to the paper, mentioning the sponsors, and what had happened in the tournament. Both letters were printed in the paper. Everybody got 'good vibes' from the name mentions, and everyone loves to see their name in the paper! This might work for you too! Best of luck...
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
D_Lewis said:
What's your size D? PoolTees would be more than happy to offer you a complimentary black pocket polo with our very popular "Major League Hustling" design on the front breast.
All we ask in return is that you were it for a few days while you're there and possibly hand a PoolTees flyer to anyone that inquires about it. We could send some flyers along with the shirt. I'd suggest just wearing a t-shirt underneath so that you don't have to deal with a stinky shirt by day 3.
Deal? If so, just send me a PM with your size and mailing address and we'll send it out ASAP.
The picture is a little dark, but its a two button, front breast pocket polo shirt.
All we ask in return is that you were it for a few days while you're there and possibly hand a PoolTees flyer to anyone that inquires about it. We could send some flyers along with the shirt. I'd suggest just wearing a t-shirt underneath so that you don't have to deal with a stinky shirt by day 3.
Deal? If so, just send me a PM with your size and mailing address and we'll send it out ASAP.
The picture is a little dark, but its a two button, front breast pocket polo shirt.
Table Time
Since you are in a league, you could get the room owner to produce discount cards for table time for league members, example: 50% before 8pm. These cards could be sold or free to league members and the profits if there is a charge, could be added money for the league.
Since you are in a league, you could get the room owner to produce discount cards for table time for league members, example: 50% before 8pm. These cards could be sold or free to league members and the profits if there is a charge, could be added money for the league.
Scott Lee said:D_Lewis...Here's my suggestion. Years ago I had a jr. player that won the opportunity to go to the BCA Jr. Nationals in Las Vegas (from Montana). He had no extra money for the trip, so he and I printed up a nice letter, made copies, and went around to all the local businesses (not just pool-related), telling them about the upcoming trip, and asking for a small donation ($25-$50). He got about 20 businesses to take part. In return, we had a shirt made with all of the "sponsors" logos printed on the back, and he wore the shirt while he was competing in Vegas. Before he left, we wrote a letter to the local newspaper, outlining his upcoming trip to the national tournament, mentioned the generosity of the sponsors, and that we would report back with the results. Again, after returning, he wrote another letter to the paper, mentioning the sponsors, and what had happened in the tournament. Both letters were printed in the paper. Everybody got 'good vibes' from the name mentions, and everyone loves to see their name in the paper! This might work for you too! Best of luck...
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Thats a good point Scott.
For everyone else: I think I should be a little more clear when I explain things though, Im not asking for a cue, money, free food or anything really other then a shirt with their logo and maybe some practice time in exchange for wearing the shirt at this MASSIVE North American tournament. Soon enough, its going to be a world tournament with the JPA starting up in Japan.
I am an ok player who has talked to many great players on what they did. I know that many of the champions that are playing now that had someone in there own town who could were wealthy put them up. If you are well liked and people think highly of your game, you will have no problem at all. Then if you do well give them 65 or 70 percent of what you win.
D_Lewis said:
I haven't read the whole thread, so I apologize if I am repeating information. This is, of course, my opinion (from experience)... so here goes.
For all amatuer players, I suggest to stop trying to look at "sponsorship" in the way a pro does. For a pro, the general sponsorship involves cash in exchange for advertising elements (logo on shirt or use of cue) and maybe personal appearances and other things like that, in hopes of that player helping the company to sell more of their product. It's "association", as in a "fan" will feel loyalty towards a product that supports their player/team.
OK, that definition out of the way... For the amateur player who needs funding for practice time and equipment, "sponsorship" means something different. In this case, the "sponsor" isn't looking for anything in return, because, let's face it... no one knows who you are yet
This kind of sponsorship is a variation of a community outreach. Because of this, you should be looking for support from a much larger company (probably not pool related) because most, if not all, large companies have budgets specifically set aside for what they call "grassroots marketing". (Marketing from a very local, amateur level)These funds are out there. Most of these companies have forms you can fill out online to request such money. Write a great story about why you are different and why you deserve the help. Touch their hearts.
I suggest starting with companies that are headquartered in your area. Start wherever you can, and they can help you find the regional or local contact. This stuff happens... it's how Bob's Garage Company Softball team gets sponsored by Bud Light (very bad made up example, but you get my point!) Good luck! Hope this helps.
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lodini said:I haven't read the whole thread, so I apologize if I am repeating information. This is, of course, my opinion (from experience)... so here goes.
For all amatuer players, I suggest to stop trying to look at "sponsorship" in the way a pro does. For a pro, the general sponsorship involves cash in exchange for advertising elements (logo on shirt or use of cue) and maybe personal appearances and other things like that, in hopes of that player helping the company to sell more of their product. It's "association", as in a "fan" will feel loyalty towards a product that supports their player/team.
OK, that definition out of the way... For the amateur player who needs funding for practice time and equipment, "sponsorship" means something different. In this case, the "sponsor" isn't looking for anything in return, because, let's face it... no one knows who you are yet
These funds are out there. Most of these companies have forms you can fill out online to request such money. Write a great story about why you are different and why you deserve the help. Touch their hearts.
I too haven't read the entire thread but the above post is dead on. For example - who did you buy your last car from or what dealership does your family patronize. Also the local beer distributor may help. How about your local sandwich shop or pizza shop. They advertise and people get hungry and remember your logo or tee shirt or whatever. Do you have a local diner that you eat at frequently. How about your local supermarket. All of these types of businesses can and do help on the local level. If all of them gave you $20 bucks a month would pay of about 8 hours play time. They don't have to kick in big time b/c you are a local talent, but it will still help.
Have a goal to get 20 businesses to give you $5 bucks per week. Not such a hard job if you are polite, tell them what you can do for them and how it will help them along with reminding (in a nice way) them you are a regualr customer.
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