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Gaining Endorsements
- Thread starter Low-end_Wes
- Start date
I asked Traben how to go around getting an endorsement, since I play Trabens and I love thier basses, and they told me I had to be in a touring band supporting an international release
Well, I tried
It saddens me to hear that. I was about to look into that exact same thing.
- Sep 9, 2007
- 5,309
- 4,977
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
I have a myriad of endorsements (of various degrees in terms of what I get out of it), and it holds true that it helps immensely if you believe in the product that you are endorsing, and not just looking to get discounted gear.
You're basically their frontline for marketing, so if you're not really into their gear, emailing them about an endorsement is only going to waste some time on both ends.
In regards to great PR people, I have to give props to Chris at GHS (I've had the chance to hang out with him a number of times, and he's a real cool cat), Dana at Levy's (who always makes jokes via email), Steve at Visual Sound and Chris at Warwick (who really takes care of me).
You're basically their frontline for marketing, so if you're not really into their gear, emailing them about an endorsement is only going to waste some time on both ends.
In regards to great PR people, I have to give props to Chris at GHS (I've had the chance to hang out with him a number of times, and he's a real cool cat), Dana at Levy's (who always makes jokes via email), Steve at Visual Sound and Chris at Warwick (who really takes care of me).
- Sep 9, 2007
- 5,309
- 4,977
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
I asked Traben how to go around getting an endorsement, since I play Trabens and I love thier basses, and they told me I had to be in a touring band supporting an international release
Well, I tried
That's how some companies do it. I know Seymour-Duncan is the same way; when I contacted them a couple years back, they told me the same thing. I gig around 200+ times a year, but for SD, they wanted that touring experience.
And, please, let's get the terminology right. The company isn't looking to endorse the artists at all. YOU do the endorsing, not them. Understanding the verb is part and parcel of understanding what an endorsement deal entails. They don't help you out because they think you're great 'n' all. They want YOU to help them sell their stuff, and help them improve it.
So, look at it the way the correct usage of the verb "endorse" requires. From Endorse - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary... Definition 2 b. "to recommend (as a product or service) usually for financial compensation <shoes endorsed by a pro basketball player>" So, when you approach a company about an endorsement, I think it'd be critical to understand what YOU bring to the table that would make it worth THEIR investment in you. You need to be able to "recommend" a product or service they provide. If you go in with the attitude that you're good so you should get free gear, then you don't seem to be doing the job. But if you go in and can show them:
A. You're already using their gear
B. You already are recommending it to other players.
C. You and your band have real, verifiable, and wide-spread influence on other players IN THAT COMPANY'S MARKET.
D. REALISTIC expectations of what they can provide you- a great regional band probably won't get free gear from a major manufacturer. However, they might get some help with promotions, get special service (e.g. you need an amp rig for a single TV appearance and you can't get yours delivered due to tight time constraints for other gigs, so the amp company you endorse provides one for you to use on the show), etc.
This is a case where I firmly believe that getting the semantics correct is vital to having the correct mind-set about the deal.
John
So, look at it the way the correct usage of the verb "endorse" requires. From Endorse - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary... Definition 2 b. "to recommend (as a product or service) usually for financial compensation <shoes endorsed by a pro basketball player>" So, when you approach a company about an endorsement, I think it'd be critical to understand what YOU bring to the table that would make it worth THEIR investment in you. You need to be able to "recommend" a product or service they provide. If you go in with the attitude that you're good so you should get free gear, then you don't seem to be doing the job. But if you go in and can show them:
A. You're already using their gear
B. You already are recommending it to other players.
C. You and your band have real, verifiable, and wide-spread influence on other players IN THAT COMPANY'S MARKET.
D. REALISTIC expectations of what they can provide you- a great regional band probably won't get free gear from a major manufacturer. However, they might get some help with promotions, get special service (e.g. you need an amp rig for a single TV appearance and you can't get yours delivered due to tight time constraints for other gigs, so the amp company you endorse provides one for you to use on the show), etc.
This is a case where I firmly believe that getting the semantics correct is vital to having the correct mind-set about the deal.
John
