Great article originally found here:
http://www.enjoythedrive.com/content/?id=9663

How To Get Sponsored
... from a sponsor’s perspective.
By Bill Bainbridge

Do you want to get sponsorship for your show car, race car or sound-off special? Here’s a quick overview of why sponsorship sometimes works and sometimes fails, with info on what sponsors are looking for.

Bear in mind that sponsors expect something in return for their money or product. They’re not giving you something for nothing. They have sound business reasons for wanting to sponsor a vehicle.

Also remember that sponsorship is not advertising. Advertising is the direct promotion of a company and/or its product through media.

Sponsorship is a mutually beneficial contract.

Why Sponsorship Works

Decreasing efficiency of print, TV, radio and other media.
Direct two-way communication.
High consumer acceptance.
Integrated marketing strategies.
Why companies sponsor vehicles:

To build brand image and awareness.
To shape consumer attitudes.
For focused communication.
To differentiate their company from its competitors.
To merchandise product.
To demonstrate technology and product attributes.
To combat their competitors’ larger ad budgets.

What Sponsors Evaluate

Image compatibility.
Audience composition.
Ability to drive sales.
Ability to leverage.
Advertising/editorial opportunities.
Product showcase.
Efficiency and measurability of results.
Continuity and ease of administration.
Their goal is to achieve a good return on investment (ROI).

How to Present Yourself to a Potential Sponsor

Now is the time to sell yourself, since you will be asking for money, product and/or services. The first step is to develop a proposal. And remember, you're not the only applicant!

This is where you need to communicate your:

Attitude. How much I want to help you.
Commitment. What I'm willing to do to help you.
Follow-up. This is how I will keep you informed of our progress.
The bottom line is to convince a potential sponsor that you provide considerable benefits and a favorable return on investment (ROI).

Specifically, your proposal should include:

A brief description of yourself and your abilities, including your resume.
Your past accomplishments.
Your references, to establish credibility Photographs of yourself and your vehicle.
Your plans and activities. Be specific: what, where, when and why? How the sponsor will benefit from your association, the ROI.How much media coverage can the sponsor expect? What sorts of public relations efforts will you be putting forth (or paying for)?
Your wants and needs, as well as the potential sponsor’s.
Info on other marketing partnerships and associate sponsors, as well as the options for this potential sponsor.
A discussion of your mutual commitments in this relationship, should it come to fruition.
Your "marriage vows."
How you will handle follow-up communications and activities reporting.
The terms of the agreement.
The bottom line: How much and how long?

Why Sponsorships Fail

Greenwashing.
Over-promise and under-deliver.
Failure to commit.
Failure to communicate.
Failure to demonstrate.
Failure to follow up.
In short: Failure to provide a measurable return on investment!

 

awesome info, thanks Mod

 

Excellent info! Thanx! This will help me mucho in the coming months!

 

carsponsorships.com takes almost anyone... though, you do have to pay....

 

What's Greenwashing?

 

thread revival! once again, good job scionlife!

 

old thread but id like to know what Greenwashing is too.