Sponsorship

[jimblanchard]

I have over the years managed to get a modest amount of sponsorship for a few riders . I am also asked on a regular basis if I can help with this personally. I have made several postings on the BSF in depth about this subject, as although I am not expert by any means a certain amount of knowledge and common sense I have acquired on this subject over the years.

I did think about creating a few 'workshops' along those lines that run in conjunction with one or two training school's. On the basis that there seems to be plenty of opportunities for young lads to ride but no tuition on how to present themselves to the media or market them selves as a product . We did some costings on it last year with my daughter as the main speaker. Though we shelved it for various personal reasons.

I today, received a letter inviting me if I would like to contribute to the Nick Simmons testimonial. No disrespect to him but I have never heard of him, but that is my problem I guess. There was a brief history of the guys career in the letter in fairness

However, I will give a bit of advice to the people who sent me this letter for what its worth - and to anyone seeking sponsorship.

Research your prospective benefactor well, and what they do, and something about them and also their name.

A 'Dear Sir or Madam' letter is simply not good enough.

Your basically asking me for money and I do know you or anything about your quest, and you have not gone as far as to establish if I am a man or woman....

Would you give anyone money on that basis?

[Deleted]

No Jim, I wouldn't tho in fairness to the guys who wrote the letter they are probably ordinary fans who simply want to help raise some dosh for a rider they like and have never done anything like this before.
That doesn't mean your idea of researching your subject is not a good one, it is and I'm sure had they referred to your talents as an artist they may well have inspired a better response My guess is that some of them had read on BSF how generous you have been over the years supporting various riders etc and thought "easy money". A lesson I learnt many years ago is you don't get something for nothing in this life, you have to earn it.

[jimblanchard]

Actually, what I was trying to say and maybe referring to me as an artist might have struck a cord as far as I am concerned as you suggest (which only means they have given the idea some thought rather than just bashing out letters...) and not just appealing to my ego, but as I am a small fish to fry in the grand scheme of things, I was really trying to advise them that same approach in whoever they may contact, will result in more positive results.

[Deleted]

Jim

I won't talk in the third party as I know you are aware that that letter is from my daughter.

Whilst I accept what you say about being more personal I feel that is somewhat unfair as over 300 letters have been sent in the last few days.
They have been sent to speedway people, people in Nicks home village, people in the surrounding villages and town and people and businesses in Newport.

Nikki and Lora work full time and I work part time. I dont know how you think we could possibly find the time to find the sex of the recipent AND then personalise the content according to what their trade may be.
On a number of the letters I could have made them very personal BUT I chose to keep them all distant as I did not want people I know thinking I was taking advantage of our friendships in order to get money from them.

Each letter talks about a follow up which needs to be done by telephone (unless its to people at the speedway show at the weekend) which we are willing to pay for in support of Nick.
At least we know we can save 10p here!


I am sorry you feel we have done wrong. And you certainly havent been targeted as an 'easy money' option.
Maybe we shouldnt be so generous in the future. I certainly will think twice now if someone else asks for my support for something like this.

[jimblanchard]

Sandie,

A. I had no idea whom the letter had come from.

B. I did not suggest you targeted me as someone that was good for easy money, as suggested by Star Lady either.

However, I still maintain that if you are are not equipped to at least find out more about the person or company you are requesting some financial support from in a professional manner then don't take it on.

As to your point about not taking advantage of personal relationships: again you are in my experience totally wrong. Its what makes the world go around and the only reason I have been able to secure the sponsorships that I have has been a result of my personal relationships. Have you not heard about what big business deals are done on the Golf Course?

Don't play with other peoples lives Sandie. Know what your doing or leave it alone.

Jim

[Deleted]

I think what Jim says is right, and it is also being taken as harsh critiscism - which I am sure it is not meant as.

It is better to research and target 20 people, than to blanket 300 people in an impersonal manner.

Our company has been approached by a young Sheffield rider's team to sponsor. They researched well, and were well prepared. We would never have considered sponsoring him, but because were approached in such a professional - and personal - manner we are now trying to squeeze a bit more to give him a bit of support.

Do your research and hit a smaller, focused group.

Be prepared - be super prepared.

And you WILL succeed

[jimblanchard]

Thanks for that BigEddie.

What I seemingly was fumbling over you said so eloquently on my behalf.

And for those that do not take as personal criticism of their efforts it does work.

If you stop and think about it.

I do respect all your efforts for others, with the best intentions, though misguided a little.

[Deleted]

Firstly I had no idea who was behind the letters and I stand by what I've said.
During my connection with KREST (for those that don't know it was a support organisation for KL riders a few years back) myself and other members of the committee contacted many organisations asking for sponsorship. In all the cases I had any involvement with at least some research was done. We did approach friends and acquaintances, usually with good results, for which we were extremely grateful, but we never held any grudges if folk refused. That is what I meant by "easy money", no research necessary as you know your target.
Our time was limited as well, from memory of a committee of 10 all but 2 were in full time work and also had families to look out for. As Jim says if you can't commit the time to do something well, maybe your time would be better spent supporting someone else who can.
I wish Nick and all his supporters well and hope a good amount of money is raised but like Jim and Eddie, do think this could have been organised better.
Could I suggest, if you haven't already thought of it, an Auction of Promises as a fundraiser. That was one of our most successful events. Like a normal auction but you get folk to donate 6 hours gardening/4 hours housework/an evening in the pits with a rider etc, the more bizarre the better. Mixed in with memorabilia and riders old equipment (like gloves/kevlars etc) it brings in some cash and you can run raffles even a quiz on the same day, cutting costs in hire of venue. Advertise it on the net and take bids by internet and phone as well as in the hall. It always helps if you can get a professional auctioneer, ours was Welsh and absolutely brilliant (even if he did use a hint of blackmail at times )

[stevehone]

would you go for a job interview and expect to get the job if you hadn't done the research on the company first?

and what Jim says about personal contacts, that's sometimes the best way to go.
that way, the person in question generally knows what you're about, what you stand for, and what the sponsorship might mean.

last season i managed some excellent sponsorship but not with people i didn't know.

[John]

I feel I must comment on this thread,

Nick is a great great guy who thinks of the fans.

I met up with him again on Monday when he took the time to personally drive down to Exeter for a supporters club meeting-

He is a great bloke and even took the time to phone two supporters on my phone that could not be there due to work and tell them what the latest was.-But thats by the by

Ok he is never going to be a world beater-and sure as hell has nothing to do with sponsorship, but he sure as hell is one decent guy from my experience who takes times for the fans every time.

He was the ONLY Newly signed Exeter rider to attend Stoneleigh the year we went buying self designed pens etc to hand out to kids etc.

Nick is a great guy.I Digressed from the thread subject -but he is a really decent bloke and his heart is in the right place and when interviewed on Monday and asked so how is it promoting your testimonial he said Im learning fast.

Hopefully Exeter Lot have managed enough to sponsor a heat.
Like I say Im not on about the sponsorship in any way-but purely what a great guy he was on Monday.

[Deleted]

Just pointing out I posted the post above.

nd to address a misspell cos when nick was at stoneleigh he bought the pens for kids not we as I typed-and here he is at stoneleigh with Ivan ,Mark Loram Vaclav Verner and Lol Hare on the Exeter Stand.

thumb8.webshots.net/s/thumb3/1/4/25/218610425JJYVik_th.jpg

[stevehone]

he may well be a nice guy Nevs, but sometimes you get tarred through association.
if things for the testimonial are not done to people's liking there's only one person that will suffer, and it won't be the people that just move on to the next rider that needs help.

[Deleted]

sponsorship

yes, please ;D

[Deleted]

herman said:

sponsorship

yes, please ;D

Planning another comeback??? ;D

[Deleted]

maccattack said:

herman said:

yes, please ;D

Planning another comeback??? ;D

never been away really

would jump at any chance