Should I look into an endorsement?

ryanholmesmusic · #1 12-02-2012, 11:08 AM

I've been thinking about this a lot lately and a buddy of mine mentioned he'd just been picked up by a company...got me even more interested.

I'm wondering if fellow TBers could give me a little advice on this, in other words, should I go after endorsements (bass, strings, etc.)? I'm not looking for FREE, I'd love to be able to say I'm involved with a company(s) and be able to give back in that way as well...

Here goes:
-My band was just named Best Band in a state-wide awards show.
-Our debut cd has been named #1 album by one prominent writer for local news and Rolling Stone.
-Worldwide radio airplay (All over europe, Japan, We're being interviewed by a rock station out of South Africa soon, very cool!) A huge presence of internet stations play our stuff...
-Between my personal youtube and the bands we're at around 2 million views and counting
-Facebook/Twitter/Website traffic is absolutely fantastic.
-Exceptional press both over the internet and in local/regional news.
-Just slews of interviews both over Radio and online blogs

The downfall is its hard to really quantify some of these things. Most of them I can definitely give figures in terms of a number, but some not...

Thoughts? Should I go out for a deal?

eyeballkid · #2 12-02-2012, 11:13 AM

I prefer the freedom to play what I choose, when and where I choose it. I play only Ernie ball stingrays, but have no interest in a deal, even if I could.... but your motives are different... look into what's possible, no harm in asking, and if a company you believe in agrees to something you think is cool, why not?

JimmyM · #3 12-02-2012, 11:25 AM

I don't see a reason not to try.

drummer5140 · #4 12-02-2012, 11:33 AM

Go for it.

eyeballkid · #5 12-02-2012, 11:35 AM

you seem, from what you post that you are high visibility, which companies like. why not go ahead and mention in your online presence what you personally endorse even without a partnership? it would really put your money where your mouth is about "giving back" and a company may appreciate that. I'm sure jimmys unflagging support of ampeg prior to his artist deal played a big part in them signing him up.

**smperry** · #6 12-02-2012, 11:35 AM

Not sure whether this would fall under Band Management, but I moved it to Miscellaneous.

JimmyM · #7 12-02-2012, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeballkid

you seem, from what you post that you are high visibility, which companies like. why not go ahead and mention in your online presence what you personally endorse even without a partnership? it would really put your money where your mouth is about "giving back" and a company may appreciate that. I'm sure jimmys unflagging support of ampeg prior to his artist deal played a big part in them signing him up.

My HONEST support played a big part, but there were periods where my support for what they were doing flagged quite a bit

But once they got their act together at LOUD and fired the guy who was ruining the company, the product line got much better as a result, and I said so once I was satisfied with their direction.

So while my online support of what they were doing did help, if I were just some yutz who had no track record for credibility previously, I seriously doubt I'd have gotten my Ampeg deal.

eyeballkid · #8 12-02-2012, 11:51 AM

that is how I should have worded it.

ShoeManiac · #9 12-02-2012, 12:05 PM

Companies are looking for a range of things when it comes to endorsing an artist. Ultimately it comes down to how will their endorsement of you help their brand?

An endorsement deal can also boil down to the player being good at networking with other musicians and people in the business. I know someone with a couple of endorsement deals, and those came about through a couple of things: his visibility as a musician on a variety of projects, his willingness to do some promo/clinic work, and a good working relationship with someone in a brand's artist relations group.

He actually offered to try hooking me up with someone he knows regarding a string endorsement. But I was upfront and said that I tend to pick and choose my strings for each instrument, and that might not be a good fit for me. I didn't want to waste an artist relations person's time on an endorsement for a product with which I might not be completely on board.

So where does this leave you? Well, do you and your band have management? If so, bring it up to them and let them start pursuing it. And be specific with them about which brands you might be interested in endorsing. Strings and accessories might be a good starting point. Strings aren't that expensive. And they're a consumable, with bass players going through them relatively quickly.

BryanC · #10 12-02-2012, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanholmesmusic

I've been thinking about this a lot lately and a buddy of mine mentioned he'd just been picked up by a company...got me even more interested.

I'm wondering if fellow TBers could give me a little advice on this, in other words, should I go after endorsements (bass, strings, etc.)? I'm not looking for FREE, I'd love to be able to say I'm involved with a company(s) and be able to give back in that way as well...

Here goes:
-My band was just named Best Band in a state-wide awards show.
-Our debut cd has been named #1 album by one prominent writer for local news and Rolling Stone.
-Worldwide radio airplay (All over europe, Japan, We're being interviewed by a rock station out of South Africa soon, very cool!) A huge presence of internet stations play our stuff...
-Between my personal youtube and the bands we're at around 2 million views and counting
-Facebook/Twitter/Website traffic is absolutely fantastic.
-Exceptional press both over the internet and in local/regional news.
-Just slews of interviews both over Radio and online blogs

The downfall is its hard to really quantify some of these things. Most of them I can definitely give figures in terms of a number, but some not...

Thoughts? Should I go out for a deal?

What radio station in SA and when will you be interviewed? What is your band's name?
I would like to listen out for the interview.

B

Munjibunga · #11 12-02-2012, 03:29 PM

I endorse a lot of product lines, but they mostly don't know it, so I don't get any free stuff.

One Bad Monkey · #12 12-02-2012, 07:18 PM

Simply put, you have nothing to lose by approaching a company and inquiring about an endorsement. I'd give it a shot.

ryanholmesmusic · #13 12-02-2012, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeballkid

you seem, from what you post that you are high visibility, which companies like. why not go ahead and mention in your online presence what you personally endorse even without a partnership? it would really put your money where your mouth is about "giving back" and a company may appreciate that. I'm sure jimmys unflagging support of ampeg prior to his artist deal played a big part in them signing him up.

I think this seems like really sound advice, thanks! And thanks to everyone who chimed in. I see no reason not to just go for it!

**mjac28** · #14 12-02-2012, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I endorse a lot of product lines, but they mostly don't know it, so I don't get any free stuff.

That's the best post all day !!!!!!!! love it I was thinking the same thing LOL

**mjac28** · #15 12-02-2012, 07:44 PM

I would contact Jauqo he has extensive experience with endorsements.

Jeremy Darrow · #16 12-02-2012, 08:07 PM

Companies want to know that you'll represent them and their products well. You certainly have enough going on to be a good candidate for sponsorship. If you're contacting potential sponsors yourself, be specific with regards to any gear that you may be interested in, show them that you know about their products already. In the case of strings, you may be using their strings now, tell them what you like about those strings. Try to give an artist relations rep a sense of what you'll tell people about the products. Also, give them a clear picture of what you will do for them, clinics, youtube features, blog posts, prominent links on your website, etc.. A well-written email can make a big difference, as can a nice referral. Give them links, tour schedule, whatever you've got. Good luck! I'd be surprised if you're not successful.

Munjibunga · #17 12-02-2012, 10:36 PM

You know, I had a thought. It would be generous to say I'm an average bass player, but I have over 28,000 posts here on TalkBass (I'm number 8 in post count), where there are over 186,000 members. I'd be glad to talk up some products for a little vigorish. Right now a lot of companies are getting good press out of the goodness of my heart (and deep appreciation of their products). I stopped badmouthing products for the most part a long time ago, except for that one we all love to bash, but hey, if they'd give me recompense in the form of other companies' products we could probably work out a deal. Or maybe one of those new Midas Venice digital boards would do.

MrMeacham · #18 12-03-2012, 04:55 AM

A company is looking for sales. How does your situation help them generate income? Do they want to be associated with you? Once you can clear these hurdles your on your way.

JAUQO III-X · #19 12-03-2012, 07:21 AM

Contact the companies that you're interested in and if nothing else you will at least get the seeds to a long lasting relationship started.

6jase5 · #20 12-03-2012, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMeacham

A company is looking for sales. How does your situation help them generate income? Do they want to be associated with you? Once you can clear these hurdles your on your way.

An endorsement is part of an advertising budget so the above rings quite true. What you don't want to do is to contact everyone for the sake of getting free stuff which you already said was not your motive, but it is for many. What products do you stand behind, depend on and believe in? For drummers, sticks and cymbals make a lot of sense and most drummers I knew jumped at any opportunity.