Sponsor meeting advise

If your talking about motorcycles, then there is very little advantage over cars. $40k is nothing in cars. It isn't much in motorcycles either. There is a system that rates tv coverage for a sponsor. I forget what it is called. With NASCAR you have a huge audience and thus lots of exposure. Cars have large areas for logos. Bikes do not. Without any details of what you are trying to do, it's hard to help. You need to do A LOT MORE research. You need to be Getting help from someone that has experience. You need to know every possible question they will ask an have an answer ready. You need examples of promotional items. Examples of crew gear and posters. Public appearances are part of this? Watch a race and look for every place that has a logo and figure out why. If it doesn't have one, figure out why not. You may want to hire a marketing company to assist you. You've taken on a monumental challenge. Good luck.

 

Brian beat me to the punch.

You have to move your thinking from "what can I ask for from them" to "what can I show them their dollar buys" if you're going to make a half-way successful presentation.

Remember, you are selling something. What if you went in to purchase a car and the dealer only showed you a vague glimpse from across the lot of the car you'd be purchasing, and instead hustled you straight to finance to take your money? You have to spend time demonstrating the benefits of the product you're selling - you.

Also don't rule out local businesses. Focus on social media content for their brand. Trust me, many successful local businesses are looking to create an impact with social media, and updates from "their motorcycle racer" can generate a LOT of attention in comparison to their competitors. Just one idea.

 

I know a few ppl that have aquired sponsership(not in motorcylce industry) one of the key things companies shoot for is advertising. there is a market analysis on advertising , lets say on side of your enclosed trailer. there are numbers that convert average miles traveled to an advertising stand point. for example how many passer bys see this advertisement while you travel. this is a key focus for most buisnesses.

 

For the most part sponsorship, as you desire, does not exist and those that do have good support typically have a relationship outside of racing with their sponsor (employment or friendship). Look at the coverage Speedtv had of Dane Westby's Broaster chicken sponsorship. It was news that an "outside the industry sponsor" has come along for a top pro! As someone with no race experience its going to be that much harder of a sell but you never know....
Good Luck! :cheers:

 

Does anybody know any good links or books on this subject? I am building my race resume and I have won 10 races (Novice) so far this year. Its my first year ever racing and I'm also looking into sponsorship. Any help is appreciated!

 

well ill be sure to tell my friends who pull in thousands and thousands of dollars for sponsership that they are doing it wrong. u right u wont get much for running wera! but advertising dollars is where its at. they may get a.few.hundred dollars of product given to them but what supports them is the advertising dollar. I would be happy to hear a rebutel but prof is in the pudding. ill get more info and some stats for ya, cause ur wrong in this statment. for sure

 

Hit me up at BeaveRun Eric, as I could share some things that have worked for me. You've got a good start on things and if you do it right, can start working with companies to help you (and more importantly, "them") out in the long run.

 

You're not going to find many places that are going to give you sponsorship, especially for amateur race stats.

Contingency or small support in components or services, or discounts on those items is a LOT at this level. As stated, there are many top riders that don't have rides, or are paying so they can ride.

It can be done, but you have to be careful what you promise, especially if you are new to this. You can big eyes and big ambitions. But honestly what can be provided to a sponsor by a team in this industry at anything other then the top level is minimal.

Especially in comparison to other opportunities they may have. ie. Nascar, X-Games, etc.

Your best angle to is to put the pride in the sponsor that they are helping to be a part of something that is as much about support and team work as it is about generating dollars. Have their employess come out and pit crew for you. Let them fell like they are being apart of something special that many other people have never had the chance to do. If they are a retail location, offer to do appearances or have gear and equipment on display in the off season. It's really more about what you can give them to show their appreciation and support of you.

Michael Joradan Motorsports for example. Do you think that team is generating much revenue to it's sponsors based on their support? Doubtful. MJ is a huge name and I'm betting the majority of his sponors, help as a thanks for all he has done with his name in the past. Go to work and ask around how many people know MJ has a motorcycle racing team. Even in the Chicago area hear. It's going to a very very small number. Thus it is clearly not about exposure.

You might do something with Lance Lau to help promote your sponsors. What you have to be knowledgeable. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Then do a bunch more! Know our industry. Compare it to other industries. Become an expert. Then find a niche or an angle. You have to set your self apart.

It's not going to be easy. But be reasonable in your expectations and your abilities. Make sure it stays fun. If it's not fun, it quickly brings you down and isn't worth it. Look at it as a challenge and ask lots of questions.

I've been doing research to run an AMA team for about 5 years, talking with Team owners and crew staff. Trying to learn what works and what doesn't. Where is the cost, what are the challenges. How to do it right. What sponsors expect of you. What can you provide to them. The whole big picture. It is a huge challenge to get a full pro level team up and running AND DO IT RIGHT! Maybe I'll get there someday. But for the time being, I've made some great connections! Some great friend! Gotten quite a few great perks for myself for racing in the past few years. Been given cool opportunities of a lifetime to see or do different things. So all the work isn't wasted. It's a journey and a project, not something you pick off a menu like a video game and make it work.

If you want more ideas or want to bounce some ideas of someone, drop me a private message.

Good luck.

 

Personally I've found some some support from part and equipment manufactures in the form of below wholesale parts. Driven for example has been very good to me on consumable parts and they are open to supporting amateaur level racers. It's nice to get things like sprockets, chains, grips etc for half price, it really adds up over a season.

Good luck

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tOMIpDAVAc&feature=g-u-u

Just watched this on YouTube. Interviews of Chris Ulrich and Dane Westby regarding the Broaster Chicken sponsorship. Included are some details on what the exposure means for Broaster. The stats are all related to AMA, SpeedTV, etc. but should give you an idea of the scale and reach from a marketing perspective this is providing them.

 

Absolutely pays to know someone, in every facet of daily life. For awhile I got my 16oz lattes at the local coffee shop for $1.00!

Those were the days...