[dsmblack]

Recently, I have had several request for samples or people wanting me to sponsor them. A couple has offered to promote my baits by wearing patches etc. Some have just sent emails requesting samples. I have sent out some samples to a few of the people and never heard back from them. (I think a make a really good product so I would hope it wasn't because they did'nt like them). One guy had said he had used my baits and they outperformed the others he was using, and of the requests, I think I have met only one of them at a hunting and fishing show. Most of these request are from people half way across the country. I am not opposed to sending some baits or lots of bait to the right person, but I would rather it be someone that I know, have met or at least used my baits. Actually I would rather sponsor someone on the local level if I was going to do it. As many of you know hand pouring can be very time consuming and depending on how many molds a person has, several packs of baits can be costly. How do some of you guys handle this? Thanks, Donnie.

[yankee jigger]

I touched on this subject in a different thread.
Im launching a new website in a couple weeks to start my own jig company.
I just secured web hosting($9.95 a month) and am gonna check up on business cards today.
My wife printed up a small label that will go with every jig i sent out with my name and website on it.
Im gonna be giving a few,probably a hundred or so to some friends to give to people they know just to get my name out.
Ill probably never hear from most and dont expect to.Just trying to get my stuff out there.
If you want to just stick with the local guys,i say do it.It all depends on your goals.
Could just be people wanting free baits.

[nova]

Yup; there's nothing like free.

This subject has been touched on before. If I remember correctly the someone came up with a good idea of selling the baits to your sponsors at cost + shipping. That will weed out the "grabbers".

Last year I had a guy ask if I would sponsor him and his partner in a major tourny (not local). I told him I would and what the deal was. In the deal there was 50 packs for him and his partner and another 30 for giveaways; gave him a price of $50 and never heard from him again.

www.novalures.com

[VARick]

When I was playing tournament paintball and before that racing cars and looking for sponsorship, the manufacturers would always ask for a resume. What have you done on a local/national level? If someone is just starting out the only thing they may have to offer is local tournaments or races, which might be ok for you, but always there was a cost involved. Usually cost of the part(s) plus shipping and you had to provide monthly updates on your entries and finishes. Once I moved up to national tournaments or races I had those costs come down and at a major tournament (paintball) the sponsor might be there and give (I was with a team) us free paint for the tournament, and if we went deep into the tournament that got expensive dollar wise. As they say in NASCAR, what wins on Sunday, sells on Monday.
There was always someone out there wanting to be sponsored but did not put in the time to get the results that might benefit the sponsor.
If I were a manufacturer I would certainly be looking for return on investment.. ie results in tournaments, name recognition as well as the small things. What does the person return to the sport? Such as talking at conventions, baitshop seminars etc. where a shirt with your name on it is prominently displayed. You definately need something in return for those countless hours of work and research. Good luck to those make that commitment, I wish you all the success you deserve.
Rick

[alsworms]

Originally Posted by nova

Yup; there's nothing like free.

In the deal there was 50 packs for him and his partner and another 30 for giveaways; gave him a price of $50 and never heard from him again.

www.novalures.com

Great example Nil. God I wish I had a dime for every time I've come across a deal like that! Sadly, most of these requested sponsorships are looking for freebies; nothing more.

Bottom line is this: you send out samples to 50 people and you might hear back from one of them. Doesn't matter how good your product is.

I'm not trying to discourage anyone, but be very careful when sending out freebies. After years of hard-learned lessons, I've finally come up with (what I think) is a pretty good deal. I offer them a 25% discount and free shipping for orders of 50.00 or more. If I don't hear from them in a 4-month period, they're back to full price. I expect to get some kind of feedback at least 3 times per year. If they can't handle those terms, they can find another sponsor!

Oh yeah......lots of those guys will ask for samples before agreeing to those terms. Your answer is simple....."Unfortunately, I'm not able to do that. If you'd like to place an order now, I'll be happy to take the 25% discount off immediately". That should separate the goods and the bads rather quickly.

Sorry for the novel. This is a very touchy subject for me. LOL

[dsmblack]

Hey guys thanks for the input. I've got one guy who I met at a show a year ago and was in the military at the time. He has emailed wanting sponsorship and he seems sincere, however he lives in Florida and fishes mostly in Florida. The problem is, and some of you will agree, that when you pour on a part time basis, like I do, if this guy does promote your baits as he says, and it does turn into alot of order, do I want to spend all my time pouring or fishing. I wouldn't mind doing something with him on a limited basis, but again I would rather do it more on a local level. Thanks again for all the responses. you guys have really helped me alot over the past year or so, with all you knowledge and willingness to help.

[Sammy]

Howdy folks, my question has nothing to do with sponsorship,but samples for a tackle shop.Do you guys that pour get many requests from tackle shops looking for samples of your baits?

Sammy

[Delw]

Like Nove said sponsorship is a big joke. Everything wants something for nothing, they will tell you anything you want to hear just to get free stuff.

No offence to anyone in the military, but when they start playing the military card its just another way to get crap for free.

most guys that are sincere will never play the military card, race card , I am a kid card, I am a firefighter card, I am a cop card etc. they throw that in only to give them an edge into geting something for free.

Same thing goes for pros, if they really want your product they will buy it use it and if it works for them they will but it again.

sorry if it sounds so negitive, but everyone thinks cause you are a manufacturer that you can give everything away for free. Especially friends they are the worse ones.

[basskat]

I've got a solution to this problem, just send all your free baits to me!

[dampeoples]

I'm of the opinion that if someone wants to be sponsored, which is a joint deal between you and the fisherman, then the relationship should start out with you making a good product, and the fisherman finding out about your baits, fishing them, then asking. Why would I want to sponsor someone who just found my site on the net, and now wants me to send them free stuff? I think these folks need to earn what they get, be it a discount or free baits.