How does one go about getting sponsorship(s) for a build

[67greengt]

Hello all,



I've been on the forum for a few years now and have been able to watch some of the amazing projects come together and can truly say it's been one of my major influences on building my car into a one-off pro-touring machine.



For those that haven't seen a few of my posts I'm building a 1967 Mustang Fastback after the ring brothers reactor and kona mustangs.



I bought my car when I was 11 (currently 23) and have since restored it to a couple different themes. First a concourse stock restoration, then a street strip car, then a wannabe pro touring car and now, I want a full on pro touring custom. My car is my life and has been for the past 12 years, and as I've learned the skills to put a car together my taste and standards have changed; I've become a hell of a lot pickier but have also been able to determine what it is that I want in my car. To this day my dad and I have done all the work on my car with the exception of the final block sanding and paint. The car has been featured in Mustang and Fords in Nov 04 (when it was freshly restored when I was 16) and will be featured in an upcoming Car Kraft issue (as the wannabe pro-touring theme)



I'm now building the car for Sema, and like many others am in the process of gather parts, researching and designing. My question to you is, how do you go about getting sponsorship from some of the companies out there?



I still need to purchase some fairly big items and any bit of discount and sponsorship would help



I would appreciate any and all advice/tips you could offer



Thanks



Tom



P.S Here's a link to my cardomain site that follows the restoration from start to finish to the point of where I completely took it apart to start the major overhaul of building a one-off car



http://www.cardomain.com/ride/359421

[Matt@BOS]

Cool Mustang, I hope to see it at SEMA! As far as getting sponsorship and/or discounts from companies, I think the most important thing is being able to convince people that the car will not only represent their product well, but be high profile enough that donating or discounting parts for you will constitute a worthwhile advertising investment on their part. I'm sure having a couple magazine articles under your belt will help. If you can line up another one even better. Make sure you know for certain the car will be at SEMA, and tell your potential sponsors where it will be. You will also have to make an effort to promote the car and likely show up to all kinds of events.

I've only ever received little discounts here and there, but then again I never aggressively pursued formal sponsorship of any kind, and my car which is just now on the road was my first foray into this community and industry, so I'm just learning how things work. If you want a ton of info search around here and pro-touring.com because this topic has been covered in great depth by people much more knowledgeable than myself.

Matt

[kttrucks]

The biggest thing is exposure..... if you can guarantee ink, TV, or major car show exposure for a potential donor, your chances of a trade-out are much greater. Keep in mind that lots of people build SEMA cars, and these manufacturers or retailers hear this pitch hundreds of times a year.... they have to carefully weigh whether or not to use their budget for promotion based on what you're doing, and most importantly where it will be seen. You're putting on the hat of a salesman, and if you've ever been in sales, "NO" is not a dirty word, just an obstacle to navigate around until you get a "yes".

Great car! I also hope to see it and you at SEMA.

KT.

[JayR]

Like it's been said, your previous articles give you some juice and a commitment from one of those magazine contacts to cover it again go even further.

If you want to be taken seriously and look professional, you need to have a rendering and a solid cover letter along with an accurate estimate of completion date. If that date is SEMA, you absolutely need to hit it or you may owe some vendors money. Other vendors will credit money back to you if you're successful because of flakes who have gotten sponsorship and never had their cars see the light of day. Don't be one of them.

Communicate with sponsors during your build promoting their product with something like a build thread here and send them links, photos and updates every month or two to show them you're working for them before the car is even debuted.

The other big thing is to get the car placed at SEMA and tell sponsors where that will be even if it's after they sponsor you and also list all the places the car will be seen and the shows you will attend which is how you will earn your sponsorship.

Good luck!