While I can’t really tell you how to go get sponsored (as it really comes down to selling yourself and a companies products/services), I can help you put a sponsorship proposal together that would assist you in your hunt. This is something that should be sent to any company that asks for more information from you, and can be emailed out to potential sponsors. You can even organize your proposal into a brochure to hand out at tournaments and industry events!
You can use this same outline for many sponsors, just remember that there are some areas that need to be tailored specifically for each company so edit those every time. While this should be done in a Word document for easy emailing, PowerPoint also works great, too. It works especially well if you have a lot of images you want to include, but I HIGHLY suggest you convert it into a .pdf file so the information can’t be changed by others, as it provides security. Be sure to keep the file size down and keep image size small so that there are no issues sending it via email.
A basic sponsorship proposal should contain the following:
1.) Cover Page- Contain Title with Team Name (i.e. Green Team 2008 Sponsorship Package) and images of team at LAN events. Visually appealing.
Intro to Team:
a) Biography and short history on Team
b) Team Mission
2.) Why Green Team?
What you can do for sponsors above and beyond wearing a logo on a chest. Can you work at industry shows doing shootouts? Can you do interviews and naturally tie in sponsor product? Do you have other media outlets or upcoming opportunities? Do you have a trafficked site where you can put logos and links? Can you show traffic and hits to those sites? Can you talk people into using the company’s products?
A specific paragraph on why YOU believe in this product/service and how it will tie into your team. How does this sponsor gain overall by sponsoring YOUR Team, other than just wearing a logo? Why is your team unique over others (i.e. top placements, special interests that promotes more media coverage, special community or ties to them, anything that would create more exposure than most other teams).
3.) Tournament History: List all tournament placements.
CPL Dallas 2007- Halo 2- 4th Place
WSVG New York- Halo 2- 2nd Place 2005
4.) 2008 Events- Complete list of tournaments planning/wanting to attend for the year.
MLG:
New York, NY-June 10
San Diego, CA- July 18
Orlando, FL- August 17
5.) Sponsorship Packages- Companies want a ballpark of what you are asking for, and you need to be specific. Here you would create a table of sponsorship levels and money requested as well as increasing EXTRA things you can offer for the higher levels. Or you can ask for one set dollar amount that encompasses everything you are able to do for the company. Just think about some of the extras you can do for a sponsor and add them to the higher packages if you go this route. Be creative!
(i.e.)
Bronze Sponsorship- Should includes the basics only. Average of flight, hotel, and possibly per diem cost.
What it entails- Logo on sleeve, small Logo/Link on bottom site.
Silver Sponsor- All of the above plus a little pocket padding.
What it entails- Logo on sleeve, medium Logo/Link on main site.
Gold Sponsor- All of the above plus A LOT of pocket padding.
What it entails- Logo on shirt back, Large banner Logo/link on Website, Logo on all Personal Profile Pages such as MySpace/Facebook, promotion of sponsor in specific forums and communities. Anything else you can think of, add it!
6.) Summary- Here just write a paragraph summarizing why your team would be a great fit with this sponsor’s product/services and how much you think they would benefit by sponsoring you, as well as why you would benefit from their sponsorship. Go over key points you want to recap and tie it into a closing.
Good luck sponsor hunting!
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KABOOM
Posted By: Devon Marshall
Monday, October 20th 2008 at 2:57PM
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