Sponsorship giving...

[jp455]

Hello all...there's been a bunch of threads about how to obtain sponsorship, but I haven't seen a single one about companies looking to give sponsorship. For that matter, Ive never heard of companies offering sponsorship. I assume this is because they contact specific builders and such directly?

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

dammit... all of you just damn SAVE UP YOUR MONEY!.. and BUY THE PARTS YOURSELF!.. OR BUILD IT YOURSELF!

man...stop looking for handouts.. the reason you dont see companies wanting to give away parts is because they arent sure if they do that folks will show them off
other than the local cruise night... companies want to put their parts on big builds that are gonna be seen.

thats for everyone on here.

[jp455]

I completely understand where you're coming from. Except I think you misunderstood my post, or I wasn't clear enough. I'm looking to GIVE parts, not RECEIVE parts. Hence why I'm curious as to who gets in touch with who.

[tellyv]

what ya giving away, I like free stuff!

[jjordan]

I wouldn't be very good at my job if I didn't know who the guys are that are going to get the most exposure. We tend to contact builders direct and say: " We want to be involved with this." You build personal/business relationships over time. But then there is always that guy who comes outa nowhere with just the right car. What I am saying is, goes both ways. Now there is a high-powered marketing philosophy, huh?

[srh3trinity]

I am not necessarily interested in a hand out (wouldn't turn it down either), but based on your signature, are you building parts for a second gen Firebird? I am building a 74 and I am always glad to see more aftermarket support.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

Then that post wasnt aimed at you.. but still answers MANY of posts of this nature.

you are a rarity.. if you are indeed looking to do that.. you might be the first to ask ive seen.
normally they dont ask.. and if they do.. its a really really REALLY serious build.

the problem you dont understand is that the site gets parallel posts of this subject.. and even though you are looking to giving parts
the IDEA that folks can just go on the site.. make a thread about how to get free parts(sponsorship) is something im sure MOST of us are tired of looking at.. when what it means is (to get free parts you have to spend a GRIP on parts to prove your worth the free one!)

AND insure that the parts will be seen in something with high exposure (which in turn brings in sales) which in turn PAYS for you free part.
and you constantly owe them something..

might as well get a credit card.. cause you gonna owe no matter what..

nothing is for free.. NOTHING.. so even you.. looking to give parts.. still is in the same category when the days over.



I completely understand where you're coming from. Except I think you misunderstood my post, or I wasn't clear enough. I'm looking to GIVE parts, not RECEIVE parts. Hence why I'm curious as to who gets in touch with who.

[sniper]

I would think it would help to show the parts on it's intended application and then find out if there are any builds in progress that will attend a long list of shows and or get magazine coverage. Because, what is the point of giving some guy who attends the cruise show night, 5 times a year with all the same attendees?

Start a, check out these parts, thread. If the parts are catchy enough, hopefully you can produce and sell them fast enough before another shop jacks your idea and starts selling them. Because if people have a choice between a "no name" shop and one that they are familiar with, the no name might lose a few sales.

[jp455]

See Mark, this is my point exactly. The little guys don't get that chance to show something and have people be interested in them since more often than not those people will go to the name brand places. So, to get a heads up a small manufacturer HAS to get the jump and offer parts instead of wait till they get asked or risk getting those parts copied. There are tons of shops out there and we don't cater to any single car brand and/or style so if I got some idea of what the best place to search for projects needing parts that would be a big plus. Problem is by the time one hears about a project 99% of the times all the parts have already been sourced.

Mr. V. I TOTALLY understand that a part has to get exposure or else its not worth giving. I decided to ask this question because like you said, all other threads on this subject only talk about people asking for parts, and many times its random people that don't plan on doing all the work to give the parts they get the exposure they need. So we can skip that whole subject, I understand it irks you (as it does me to see people get something for nothing), but this is a different conversation. We are talking about making bespoke parts here for a specific project that will give brand exposure, not rack up sales of an existing product line. I'm certainly NOT looking to give parts away fro free with nothing in return.

Jeff, I appreciate your comment. But like I said to Mark, the issue most times is that when a project comes along (that some sort of news is known about) almost every time it already has the parts for it. I guess the way to do it would be to contact companies/builders/shops and say, hey, next project you have in the pipe line I can provide X for.

[DynoDon]

WOW Vengeance, what a cynical view. :hmm:
I have been on both sides of this street. I have built vehicles for magazines that were done exclusively with sponsored parts, not to mention SEMA vehicles with specific parts. After I fulfilled my obligation of getting the magazine article done, or the car displayed in a real booth or feature spot at SEMA as versus stuck outside with a million other cars) I have never felt as though I owed the companies anything, nor have I been asked for more. Simple agreement fulfilled by both parties.
I am also the guy who decides whether or not to give product for those requesting from our companies. I weigh the exposure versus the cost of product and make an agreement with the shop, car owner, or magazine. It almost always goes very smooth and both parties are happy with the result.
AS for Advertising that we want to give away product 'X' we don't do that because every bottom feeder on earth comes out of the woodwork looking for freebies, and that is usually a waste of time. This year we were on the SEMA list for companies that were willing to sponsor vehicles for the show and we did get a lot of terrible proposals, but we got some good ones and we happy with the exposure.
Just another view/opinion of how this can shake out

[jp455]

See now this is information I can use! I wasn't aware there was a SEMA list for companies willing to sponsor projects. That´s EXACTLY what I was talking about. Ill look that up. Thanks Don!

[DynoDon]

Manuel, PM sent about this.
Don

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

well, then i hope the best for you and whoever reps your stuff, its good to see some companies try and get at the new guy out.

Cynical?... how about doing a search on the sponsorship subject.. and how the subject goes south pretty easily.
ask anyone who has BEEN sponsored and ask them if they could would they have just bought the part on their own..

I have been on here a while now and seen quite a few of those threads.. and dont want this one to turn into another clean up for the mods.
And also its not a (i hate them cause i secretly want free parts) thing.. some know my build on here and know im not talking shizz to be talking shizz.. im trying to help the new guys understand that it doesnt happen like that.

if you do get sponsored, im happy for you.. but be sure to read the fine print.

so yea, im outta here yall.. good luck to ya.. and post up pics of your products Manuel.

i just might want to spend my sponsorship money on your parts!

[bret]

For whoever wants to know for whatever reason...
I do not give my parts away. I do, however, trade parts to certain trusted hotrodders who have proven over the years to offer us relevant, accurate feedback on our systems, and/or credible exposure for our products. These realtionships always start with an in-person conversation at a show or race, proceed with a purchase for a current project, and then with a working relationship on a future project. At that point we repeat as often as feasible. I feel that if these people will take their time to evaluate my product, give me constructive feedback, and possibly get us some exposure for the product, then the least I can do is compensate them for their time in the form of no cost product. No one likes to work for free.
Although we sell parts to a wide variety of music and sports "celebrities", we rarely expose who they are out of respect for their privacy and their chosen hobby. Those people are typically famous enough in their chosen profession and mostly like to remain anonymous in their hobby.
It is an easy thing to give parts away...makes everyone feel real good. Doesn't really accomplish much though...for the manufacturer or the builder. It is much more productive [although more work] to create and nurture an ongoing working relationship that benefits both parties long term.

[srh3trinity]

Bret seems to have the execution of the concept down pretty well.

[jp455]

I would completely agree!

[DynoDon]

Bret, Very similar to what I was saying with different semantics. I used the word give where you used the word trade, but the point was the same, in that we trade exposure (or product feedback) in exchange for product when there is an equal value for both sides.

[BonzoHansen]

So who is giving me what? :)

[xxxturbo6]

Very interesting thread. I must say I am one of the little guy's in this hobby with no where near the money as most but just this year one of the best things ever happened to me! A very well know and TOP company contacted me informing me that they would like to use my car to showcase their new product line and install their product on my car. I was Floored to say the least as this was the first time in my life that anyone of this caliber wanted to use their products on my car. I asked what was expected on my part and it was made clear that all they wanted was honest feedback on their products and to promote/support their products. The instant I got back home I started threads, added their products to my web site for sale and just recently while at the Buick GS Nationals in BG, KY I was approched by GM High Tech Performance magazine for a full feature atrical on my car.... Needless to say this company will get that exposure right along with me and I was just as excited about that as me! I have been so excited that this had happened that I promote and push their products when ever possible and honestly stand behind the products as well.

I don't consider myself as a bottom feeder as mentioned above but I can tell you that I honestly appreciate when someone does something for me and I try to give it back 10 fold! I will continue to promote them as long as I own this car and would do the same for any other company in this business..

PS: Left the company out due to not knowing if they want it publicly known..Please honor this!


Scot W.

[ledslinger]

how about youth discounts? I think its important that the manufactures reach out more to the youth.
kids play video games instead of building things these days. building my project before I went to college cost me so much it pushed college off for a few years.

i grew up being taught the importance of doing things yourself, before being educated on it. I got my project together, and now I'm considering wyotech.

[jp455]

The issue with that is the return we spoke about. A young person will almost never be involved in SEMA, or Cannonball or events like that. Its unfortunate but 99.9 % of times you don't see an 18 year olds car in a magazine.

[MrQuick]

you'd suprised, they are out there.


let us know what you have on the menu always looking for assistance. https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?73444-Finally-ready-to-get-started..1967-Chevelle-Tribute

[Boatmark]

Interesting perspective on an old topic. From some of my past experiences with sponsorship both as the sponsored, and the sponsor I hope I can expand a little on some of Bret's well said advice. I admit this is from a team rather than parts sponsorship, but the concepts are the same.

As Bret said, sponsorship is a two way street. They are trading parts for input, testing, and exposure. Sponsorship seekers need to understand it is a trade, and think from that perspective. Think about what you have to offer, not what I could if you gave me parts. Back in the eighties I was involved with a beer sponsorship. Other competitors would gripe that all our cool equipment and success was because of the sponsorship money. And they could do it too with the same money. And maybe they could. But what got us the sponsorship was first and foremost performance, but just as important was an overal image. How the company saw we could represent them. And that is not about money, its about effort. Before we had the chrome and annodize, we spent untold hours detailing the with krylon. Before they paid for $100 Simpson crew shirts, we made sure the discount store shirts were spotless and freshly pressed. The trucks, trailers, equipment were matching and spotless. And we did everything we could to appear professional and approachable at all times.

This next part is a little touchy, but has to be said. How you conduct your self is just as important as how you perform. Fast forward a few decades and my day job in the boat business involves support to sponsored tournement fishermen. Everyone who ever placed in a tournement wants a free boat. No matter how many tournaments you win, no manufacturer wants to be involved with a jerk. Winning with my product in the national press is great, being the loudmouth in the bar that night while dressed from head to toe in my products colors is not. Towing my 100k sponsored boat with a trashed truck, and driving like an idiot with my name down the doors also does me no good. And finally, never being around when the not so fun stuff needs done is a non-renewal gaurantee.

Show a sponsor why you should be representing him. Don't talk, show. Once you have the sponsorship, be the guy who can be counted on to do the extra stuff. Volunteer to help at an event or a trade show BEFORE you have to be dragged. Be the guy first on the scene to help a competitor. Be the guy who makes his sponsors look good. Other sponsors notice.

[ledslinger]

companies should put more effort in the youth. they will grow up eventually. all these sponsors should help put kids through automotive schools. recruitment.