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Sponsorship is a funny thing.
We as racers need support. We participate in activities that challenge our skill levels and make us better competitors or in some instances kill and maim us.
Most of us started out competing in our various sports as amateurs. It was a way to use up our spare time and see what we were really made of.
Along the way some of us took it a little more serious than a hobby or past time. We started to win and get in newspapers, show up on websites and for the lucky ones get some TV time. (For the unlucky ones we filed for divorce or watch a girlfriend leave.)
We also realized that in order to become a winner it took practice, a lot of it. Practice equates to another word that most of us do not have large extra amounts of… Money. (Hence, the reason for the previously mentioned divorce. Women typically would rather have a new kitchen set than a ported and polished cylinder head.)
So we seek out sponsorship. Asking for sponsorship equates to a concept. Begging.
The goal is to find someone who has a product, that is somehow related to the audience you are winning in front of. The ideal sponsor understands what you do, how difficult it is and exactly how much it costs. In reality no sponsor understands this. What most potential sponsors see is a person who is trying to find away to support his or her addiction. Because in reality that is what we are, addicts.
That fact being pointed out, an addict has to support their habit.
Sponsorhouse is an innovative way to do this, although it is not without its own issues. Most of the potential sponsors here have found a way to hawk their wares. Fortunately in my instance I have become selective and use the ones whose products actually work for my chosen sport. I am grateful for the discounts I am given.
The problem is the ones that have no intention of sponsorship, they sell products in order to build their “Network” or “Team” or as I like to call it “Pyramid”. They offer products that cure pretty much all ailments. I have been approached by one that has a product which will, sharpen my focus, reduce my cholesterol, keep me alert, help me sleep, reduce my weight, make me more relaxed, boost my immune system and alleviate all my aches and pains. I am pretty sure it can heal ingrown toenails also. The reason it can do this is because of some past cataclysmic event which wiped out a forest in another country, probably killed a lot of small furry animals and enriched the soil with its comet dust along with the animal’s remains. May they rest in peace.
For those of us who are semi-professional, winning in national events, large local events, getting magazine time and website time. This kind of sponsor offer is in short, lame. Offering a product at reduced rate which is still higher than you would pay for a product of this sort is ridiculous. If it were my company I would pick competitors that seemed to be serious and give them the product to try. If it works great, you have a person who will promote it for you, if not, no love lost. Both sides win.
Now if a company or individual is approaching athletes to try and sell them a product, the company should tell the athlete that up front. Do not hide it as a sponsorship offer and we will not hide our begging for their money as asking for sponsorship.
Most companies on Sponsorhouse have a very good program. Obviously a company is not able to give everyone product. So offering it to everyone at a reduced rate is a fantastic deal. This is why some sponsors have a tiered program; I can assure you there are plenty of people on this site who do not have to pay for product.
My point is to watch out for the “predator” sponsors. Chose the ones that closely match the sport you are competing in. This way when you get good at your sport, you will grow with the products you actually used. You will also save money by not buying items which do not work and are not from companies or individuals that will help promote you to higher levels of sponsorship later.
Now I have got that off my chest, next I have to figure out if I can cure the Asian bird flu with the 144.00 worth of miracle juice I have left.
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