Sponsorships & Endorsements???

[Snerek]

what tips or companies do you guys have on this topic?

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...ogID=249273430

i knew bass player mag did this

[mutedeity]

This thread probably belongs in band management and performance. My advice would be to start by getting a reputable manager who can approach companies and so on for you.

[Eli M.]

Originally Posted by mutedeity

This thread probably belongs in band management and performance.

Moved

[Moe Monsarrat]

As usual there's more than one way to get this done. Your band may not be world famous, but you don't have to tell the companies that. Tell them you play to large audiences & people are always asking you what gear you use. Tell them you have always admired their products (you must be truthful about this) & would be happy to tell other players about it. If you play with a well known artist, it's fairly easy to get some action on this. If you don't you have to be creative. Ask them to send you some schwag....T-shirts, hats....etc. If you talk to someone else about their gear, have that person call & use your name when they talk to the company. Then they know you're pushing their stuff even before you're on the roster. Make them believe you are working for them anyway & the sponsorship will be their idea. In other words develop a relationship with someone in their A&R department. Their whole job revolves around finding someone to give stuff to. Make their job easy.

[Spoiled Grape]

Using the search function is a great first step!

Second, get a press pack together.

Third, get touring.

Fourth, release something on a small label.

Fifth, profit.

[Snerek]

Originally Posted by Moe Monsarrat

As usual there's more than one way to get this done. Your band may not be world famous, but you don't have to tell the companies that. Tell them you play to large audiences & people are always asking you what gear you use. Tell them you have always admired their products (you must be truthful about this) & would be happy to tell other players about it. If you play with a well known artist, it's fairly easy to get some action on this. If you don't you have to be creative. Ask them to send you some schwag....T-shirts, hats....etc. If you talk to someone else about their gear, have that person call & use your name when they talk to the company. Then they know you're pushing their stuff even before you're on the roster. Make them believe you are working for them anyway & the sponsorship will be their idea. In other words develop a relationship with someone in their A&R department. Their whole job revolves around finding someone to give stuff to. Make their job easy.

thanks this are good tips

[gweimer]

I don't if they're still doing it, but Sam Ash was offering sponsorships. All you needed was a website, steady gig calendar (4 dates/mo.) and a CD for sale. We did it the first year, and got $3000 worth of expendable gear (basically anything but the actual instruments, amps or mics. Drummers make out like bandits), spread out over 12 months. We also got a 1099 form at the end of the year, so prepare for that.

I know that some companies, liquor companies in particular, offer limited sponsorships to local/regional acts. One of my old band mates was in a band that had a sponsorship from Seagrams a few years back. I don't know what all they got, but there was at least some promo support, and bringing the Seagrams girls to their shows.

The bottom line, as has already been posted, is to be professional and courteous in all this. If you approach a potential sponsor in a positive manner, and give them the facts, you stand a better chance of them giving you a shot.