How to Get Sponsored

Getting Sponsored: The Holy Grail

You might have be the best back player in the world, surrounded by the best teammates you could possibly wish for. You guys click with each other, play to each others strengths, and cover up each others weaknesses. You guys are unstoppable. Unfortunately, you guys can’t afford to play tournament paintball on a professional level. Most people can’t. The cost of paint alone is more than enough to drive most people to bankruptcy, let alone the cost of transportation, lodging, food, and tournament entry cost. Let’s not factor in the opportunity cost of practicing (meaning you can’t be working if you’re practicing for the next tournament).

So you have this great idea of finding a sponsor. You and the other 5000 teams out there. How do you differentiate yourself? How do you actually FIND a sponsor?

The first thing you need to realize is that businesses are looking to PROFIT. They will sponsor you ONLY if they have something to gain. In other words, you must first GIVE to RECEIVE. Many teams begin a massive email campaign to every single paintball shop/distributor they can. Odds of being successful, practically zero. While this is not true for everybody, your best bet of finding a sponsor is a local store. Find out what you can do for THEM first – approach them using a strategy similar to this:

“My name is blahblah, and I’m team captain of the blah’s. We’re an up and coming team and we’re looking to build a relationship with a few local stores. Here is what we can do for you: we can wear your stickers on all our gear, promote your shop at local tournaments, and give you a plug on our website. All we ask for in return is some stickers for our equipment”

Now, what does this do? It gives you an EASY in to this company. How could they say no? Free promotion at practically no cost to them. This is your stepping stone. BUILD ON IT. Go to tournaments, play, and take pictures. Lots of pictures. Send them reports/portfolio’s, how you did and how you promoted their company. Have the pictures to back this up – this shows that you are SERIOUS. Oh yeah, ALWAYS conduct yourself in a professional manner. This is not an article about how you should act – but if you need to ask yourself, “am I acting professionally?, you’re probably not.

At this point, you should have a portfolio. While the company never actually gave you anything, they are still your sponsor. It is now, after you have developed a relationship, that you can ask for things. Start slow, ask for wholesale pricing or similar. As you get better, and get more publicity (always keeping them informed, correct?), you get more clout and can ask for deeper discounts. Wholesale pricing on paint, tournament admission cost, etc. Depending on how willing this company is to donate to your cause, you can begin looking for other sponsors. You have your portfolio already – use it in your presentation to these companies. Always try for a face to face, or a phone communication if possible. Email as a last resort.

Remember – give them something of value first, and they will return the favor.