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Getting Sponsered

#4
Companies want their product to be seen and heard. Most start off with a "cost deal" where you basically buy at dealer cost or at a reduced cost off of what a dealer would charge you. I had one with Ampeg several years ago. The criteria differs slightly by maufacturer but for all you must be an original band. Most companies require that you have management, a record or distribution deal, tour extensivley, play larger venues, songs on the radio and television appearances also help with getting a deal, promote the product on the band website, your personal website, MySpace (if you have a page), Facebook (if you have a page), mention them in CD liner notes, mention them when doing any interviews, wear their logo merchandise, and not use gear by another manufacturer with whom they compete. For example, if you have a deal with Ampeg, you can use a Fender bass but not a Fender amp or cabs. If it was easy, everyone would have a deal. I have a deal with Curt Mangan strings and am currently working on a deal with a couple of different amp manufacturers. I don't worry about deal with bass companies because I own vintage fenders, Alembics and Spectors. I use them for different songs depending on the sound I want and I don't want to be restricted to just one brand of bass.
 
#5
I know a guy Kelly Carcinogen sponsored by Coffin Case. Who did something proably illegal yet got sponsored by them at the same time. He posted a fake ad on his Myspace page (proably not there anymore) with him in it and posted a link to their site.

Few weeks later someone calls him and he's suddenly OFFICIALY sponsored by Coffin Case.

I wouldn't suggest anyone try doing anything that stupid but, then again Kelly's a unusaul cat. Plus doing it got him noticed and that's hard he's not really known by anybody so I see that as a win for the underdogs. He isn't on the Top 40 charts or on a major label or even really making a living but, he's doing something he loves.

So don't listen to anybody saying give up only major acts get sponsored ignore them. Kelly proved if there's a will there's a way. Good luck and keep us posted.
 
#6
XtheDeadPawn said:
So don't listen to anybody saying give up only major acts get sponsored ignore them. Kelly proved if there's a will there's a way. Good luck and keep us posted.
Click to expand...

I have eight endorsements of varying degree and discounts, and I am certainly not a major act. I'm just the guy everyone calls in town to do shows and gigs, and has a solid web presence which in this day and age is very important.

Biggest thing you can do is show the company WHY having an endorsement deal with you will benefit them in the long run. Already using the product is another big bonus.
 
#7
Yeah that helps but, Kelly is a shut in mostly. He's sorta paranoid too like Peter Criss only he doesn't believe in aliens. I think.

Don't get me wrong he gigs, and writes like crazy but, he doesn't really have that much of a web presence. He's not on iTunes but, he is on CDBaby.
 
#8
XtheDeadPawn said:
Yeah that helps but, Kelly is a shut in mostly. He's sorta paranoid too like Peter Criss only he doesn't believe in aliens. I think.
Click to expand...

Actually, you're proving my point of having a web presence. By putting up an ad of Coffin Case with a link to their site on his Myspace page, Kelly already showed them that he'd promote their brand without even being asked, or offered anything for it. From a marketing standpoint, that's golden.

Whether that was the original intention doesn't matter, the fact is that he proved his worth enough to Coffin Case that they gave him a legitimate endorsement.
 

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