What Questions Should You Ask Yourself Before Contacting A Potential Sponsor?

It is always good to go into any situation with a plan. Sponsorship is a big deal, and there are some questions you need to ask yourself before contacting your potential sponsor.

Why It Matters

Sometimes in life we know what we want and just go for it. However, when it is as important as sponsorship, it is always good to jump in with a plan first. I want you to start by asking your self a couple of questions.

First Things First

Asking for sponsorship is so much more than asking for money. You are asking a company to tie themselves to your brand. You are also promising them a return on their investment in your brand. So the first question to ask yourself is, what can you do and what are you willing to do for a sponsor?

Anyone can ask for the sponsorship, how you pay it back is unique to you. Make out a list of what you can offer, such as your audience on social media, special events you are apart of, and anything else that can give you an advantage and by default give your sponsor an advantage. Of course you’ll run their sticker on your racecar, but it has to be much more than that.

Second But Equally Important

This next question may seem completely out there, but hear me out. What can you do for your sponsor that they can’t do for themselves? One thing you can do is give them user based content. For instance, lets say your sponsor sells tools and has a new product coming out. Their company may be putting out ads and videos on this new product, but people know that they are just trying to sell the thing, right?

If you as a racer made a video of how this tool works, and how much you like it, people will be more likely to buy it. The reason for this is because you aren’t selling, just reviewing. In these cases, sponsors get more value from something you can do that they can’t.

Good Luck Out There

Asking yourself these questions is a good start before reaching out to your potential sponsor. I ask these questions every time I am contacted about sponsorship, and generally don’t get a good response. Get creative in your answers, think of outside of the box ways to bring more value to your sponsor. Being prepared to answer these questions before you pick up the phone will give you an advantage.

Are there more questions you ask yourself before you contact a sponsor? Drop them into the comments.

For more sponsorship tips, click here.
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