I am writing this new thread here in conjunction with the other thread
that was started on LBS sponsorships. I just didn't want to have this
lost in the mix somewhere else. I am 30 years old, and I love
marketing myself as well as other people. Here are a few things that I
would try this winter to get your unicycling moving this next year. I
hope you have fun with this.
Be as straight forward as you can. Try not to have a tone of voice
that makes you sound desperate, or would take anything. All you might
end up with that way is a few free t-shirts, or at best a set of set of
platform pedals just to get you to leave the bikeshop.
I would recommend starting off something like this if you're at the
LBS...
1. Introduce yourself, and inform them that you are an accomplished
unicyclist...even if you're not, what the hell do they know, they're
bicyclists, and they most likely can't ride a uni at all.
2. Let them know that you attend events, competitions, gatherings,
parades, and are interested in representing their bike shop as a
sponsored rider.
3. Now you should let them know what you're looking for. State that
you are interested in financial help with competiton entry fees,
promotional wear, discounted products.
*** This might get you a good start.
***I WOULD TRY THIS ROUTE THOUGH***
I would also highly recommend making yourself a professional looking
flyer/postcard at least that might even be laminated with a couple good
pics of yourself unicycling. Include a short biography of your riding.
Do not forget several types of contact info. Then have different
types of sponsorship ideas listed. Maybe list them as levels 1-5.
*For example...
(Your Name Here) is now accepting different levels of sponsorship for
the upcoming 2008 unicycle activities.
Sponsorships include...
-Level one sponsor (bike shops) = Discounted uni gear, apparel
-Level one sponsor (individual) =$100 towards uni gear, apparel with
advertisement listing on jersey
-Level two sponsor = $250 towards event entry fees w/ advert. on jersey
-Level three sponsor = $500 towards uni events w/ advert on jersey.
-Level four = $750 etc.
-Level five = $1000 exclusive logo printed on jersey
You can get highly creative with this. This strategy will allow you to
have custom jerseys/shirts made with logos for sponsors. This will
also not limit you to just attacking the local LBS's with a miniscule
attempt at getting some discounted gear. You can now take these
laminated flyers around to different businesses of all different sorts.
Do not approach a chain store with this. Ideas include: any locally
run business, hardware store, music shop, restaurant, etc... If you
are under 18, I would even consider having your parents take you into a
bar to drop them off for sponsorship attempts.
With any luck you will have a few hundred if not a few thousand dollars
to buy gear, custom clothing, or use to travel during the next season.
Have a plan to write professional looking receipts to the sponsors as
well because this is also a tax deduction for them as well. This is
the primary reason that this is a better attempt than trying to get
discounted gear from the LBS. It's easier to deduct a cash donation
than it is to write-off given discounted items from a catalog.
***Go to a bookstore and buy some sales books. FED-EX Kinko's usually
has some good ones on their shelves as well.
--
SARIN
http://www.SarinArt.com
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