Sponsorship suggestions?

[freaksister 0]

Hey ya'll, I'm going to post this here because it gets the most views of all the forums.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how a skydiver can pursue sponsorships for their discipline (in this case it would be pond swooping)...but any ideas could be applied, I know base jumpers and freeflyers and skysurfers get sponsored too. Chuck you might drop me a line on this, and I will tell ya what we've done so far.
Thanks everyone,
Sis
Can you Trip like I do?

[AggieDave 6]

The trick would be to get non-skydiving type companies to sponser you. The best would be a good beer company: "You just carved a hard 360 front riser turn and swooped the pond...It's Miller Time!" "ahhhhoo...the little guy hasn't done anything yet and you know its going to be good..."

[freaksister 0]

haha! good idea Dave!! Sis
Can you Trip like I do?

[freeflir29 0]

I would think entering and winning a few PPPB meets would get you a sponsor. I used to race bikes and never got any sponsors until I started winning big races. All of a sudden Red Lobster wanted to dump piles of money on me......."I only have a C license, so I don't know shit..right?"-Clay

[ChromeBoy 0]

I want to be sponsored by Nasa so I can go to space for free. Doubt that will happen.
My guess is you have to be proactive about it Freak. Have videos completed and send it to different companies marketing departments and then a follow up telephone call. Try to set an appointment with someone and determine who is the decision maker for that type of thing in the company. Meet with them and tell them how YOU will assist them in getting their name out and how this is a great cause and attracts a lot of people including spectators. You have to sell them on why they should do it and how it will "sell" their product for them. Also have an idea of what you would like them to supply you with, ie. jump tickets, new gear, etc. Have a budget prepared on how you will run your business. The items you will need and the costs behind them.
If all else fails...show them your boobies. maybe that will help.

[freaksister 0]

LOL its not for me! hehe Its for my guy but I guess I could still show my boobies, it can't hurt!! LOL
Sis
Can you Trip like I do?

[freeflir29 0]

I guess the words I was looking for were "Cost benefit analysis"
"I only have a C license, so I don't know shit..right?"-Clay

[skybytch 273]

Regardless of the comapny you are approaching (skydiving related or non-skydiving related), here are a couple of things to consider...
Make your proposal/presentation as professional as possible; if you speak to them in person present a very professional image. Emphasize what you can/will do for them, not what they can do for you (example - "I jump every weekend at a major drop zone, compete at every swoop meet and am a high visibility skydiver; having your whatever on my back will provide your company with maximum exposure").
pull and flare,
lisa

[ChromeBoy 0]

If you get them to the point in the presentation where they say...
"Well, we have never done this before..."
Yell out, "BEER! This will be your first time!"
Then show them your boobies again.

[bbarnhouse 0]

It is imperative that one continues to contact the prospective sponsor. Get your name in front of them, and yet refrain from being annoying and bothersome. Yes, one does have to have won several meets for the most part before being considered.
It took me a long time and effort to finally get Nike to even consider allowing us to hold tandem courses at thier fitness centers (accomplished just this year).Last summer I managed to get 42 employees out to the DZ to jump, so this is progress. I even have permission to write an article, a huge victory as I see it. Part of the issue I am sorry to say, is that many of the larger manufuctures still view skydivers as anomolies rather than well honed athletes. I have spoken with several of the "innovative appearal" folks about clothing, maybe even a new line of skydiving wear. It's a way out there, but at least skydiving is being talked about and even tried by employees at Nike World Headquarters. It's all about educating folks. You have to make them "need" you. The old bait and switch.....have a couple folks going through AFF and tandem progression. Have a good business plan....and remember that you ARE the business and need to present yourself in a positive way. Best of Luck!
B
It only takes a little pixie dust......

[jfields 0]

Sponsored By:
"Skreamer's Poodle Grooming"
"Clay's Correspondence School"
"Chucky's Culinary College"
"FreakSis' S&M Equipment"
Or something along those lines.... Justin

[ChromeBoy 0]

Quote

and remember that you ARE the business and need to present yourself in a positive way.

BB so she should or should not show them her boobies. I am confused.

[bbarnhouse 0]

Definately NO boobies.......of course Nike is a rather diverse company....I've seen lots of boobies and.....and.....LOL
It only takes a little pixie dust......

[jfields 0]

I would see that as positive, if I was at the company debating the sponsorship. Justin

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

Some of the guys on the circuit, actually the majority of the guys, are sponsored in some manner by their dropzones. Most of the sponsored guys come from either RW teams or Freefly teams, and as such get their entrance money from those sources. Others, those solely sponsored by their canopy manufacturer are only getting deals on equipment and entrance fees paid. Nobody out there is living strictly off swooping, believe me. Bottom line with getting a sponsorship strictly off one's swooping prowess, is having a proven track record and competition history. Your average "Beer Line Billy" isn't going to get a call from a canopy or container manufacturer. Name recognition and experience is what skydiving vendors want, and how you get that is by getting out on the road and competing.
On the local front, what a dropzone wants to see is a good plan and true determination. Most places will cut you deals on jump tickets if you do something in return. I get a good deal on equipment from SkyKat at Raeford. I also get treated very well on the dropzone. They don't ask me too, but I wear SkyKat patches on all of my jumpsuits, outerwear, and competion shorts. I also plug their business shamelessly since they do have fantastic prices.
Same goes with my canopy sponsor. I get a very good deal on equpment through them, plus they pay all my entrance fees at meets. In return, I go out there and swoop my ass off and field questions from the spectators. I also wear their logo on all my equipment. I got asked to join up after already having bought two of their mains anyway.
The main thing here, though, is that I would compete without any sponsorship. It's my nature to compete and be social, so that is what I do. I have an absolute blast on the road and the people are just fantastic. I haven't won anything yet, maybe I never will, but I do make a very strong showing and am proud of my performances. Kind of like NASCAR, you just have to make a good showing to get a following.
My webpage HERE

[bbarnhouse 0]

Good points MonkeyOne. there are those that have NR slots at their DZ's and have major sponsorships from sources other than beer and canopy manufacturers. Additionally they work hard and make some of thier income through coaching services.
It only takes a little pixie dust......