Sponsorship

[Maverickp8tball]

Yo, I am the team captain of my 3 man team and this will be our first year in amature tournament play, although i have been playing paintball for 7 years, i still dont know how to get a sponsor or what i have to do, do i need 1 sponsor that can pay for paint and another for entry which is a hard hit in the pocket. and what are some cool things i can do for them. does any one know of any companies that offer sponsorships. if you could help it would be sweet
Kurt
Captian Maverick Paintball

http://www.geocities.com/maverickpaintball

[talls]

Most companies won't just pay for all of your paint but will give you a certain amount of money per tourney. They are expecting you to do them the service of advertizing for them. Instead of finding a huge company to sponsor you (as this is very hard) try finding a local field or shop. This is usually much easier. But if your set on getting a big name sponsor I would make a portfolio with bios of everyone on the team, placings in previous tourneys, action pictures, future plans, etc. Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

[Maverickp8tball]

Thanks any one else know any thing

[Quiet]

sponsorship

I was a pro snowboarder for several years. Sponsorship can be easy or hard to get, its elusive. This is what I have found to work best.

First you have to build a reputation for yourself/team. This goes beyond just being skilled players. You have to help newbies, help people with their equipment problems, set an example for others on the field. You want people to point to you as an example of how to handle oneself. With a reputation based on these things you can start to influence other people. New players will want to buy the same marker as you, they will follow your advice about what to buy and where to buy it.

Okay, thats step 1

Now you approach a local shop, not an industry rep. You need to start local and build your way up. Sponsorship is a two way deal, they will give you something only if they feel that you will be giving them something they want. This is where your reputation comes into play. It can get them more business if you promote them. So you make a trade, you promote them shamelessly and they help you with loot.

Moving up in the world.

To get the big ticket industry sponsors you have to use your local shop sponsor. Like the local shop they will want something in return.
They will be much more responsive when approached by your local shop on your behalf, then by you. This is for two reasons, the shop is not you so is far more impartial in judging you, and more importantly the shop already has a relationship with them. The rep wants to keep your shop happy because they sell their product, you in turn help your shop sell their product. If by giving you the goods you sell more every one will be happy