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Acquiring Sponsors for Active Competitors
5 year(s) ago • 1827 views • 18 replies
KPPurple beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
I created this post to ask the bright minds out there for their trade secrets in acquiring sponsors regardless of the competitor’s belt. Feel free to drop your best tips and recommendations for inquiring minds.
CGBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Figure out how to provide actual value in return. That’s what most people asking for sponsorships seem to lack understanding of.
MGPurple beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Figure out how to provide actual value in return. That’s what most people asking for sponsorships seem to lack understanding of.
But I just want free stuff, Christian.
JJBlack beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
I think Andrew Wiltse has done nothing but Preach the word of Panda Express for 5 years and still doesn't have a sponsorship lol
MGPurple beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
I think Andrew Wiltse has done nothing but Preach the word of Panda Express for 5 years and still doesn't have a sponsorship lol
How many professional Jiu Jitsu athletes are sponsored by fast food restaurants?
JJBlack beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
How many professional Jiu Jitsu athletes are sponsored by fast food restaurants?
Serious question. Would you rather get free food or free gi's/clothes?
Food all day.
Food all day.
MGPurple beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Serious question. Would you rather get free food or free gi's/clothes? Food all day.
That was a marketing question, not a “what free thing do I get” question.
CBBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
How many professional Jiu Jitsu athletes are sponsored by fast food restaurants?
My coach is sponsored by a local vietnamese restaurant. But that might have something to do with it being his brother's restaurant.
CBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Best advice regarding sponsors in my parts of the world: forget about sponsors, work to earn money for your competition expenses, start winning everything and maintain social media presence. Eventually you'll grow tired of it all or you'll get noticed if you are lucky. :D
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
In Estonia companies expect a ridiculous return - e.g. For ~100 euros worth supplements per month daily social media posts, longer blog posts once per week etc. It's easier to do a small actual job and buy the supplements yourself.
MGPurple beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
It all comes down to profits. Wiltse is great and I wish him all the successful in the world. While everyone in Jiu Jitsu probably knows who he is, outside of that he is basically unknown (as with most Jiu Jitsu competitors). I’d be willing to bet a sponsorship for him would not result in even a half-percent of growth for Panda Express.
JJBlack beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
It all comes down to profits. Wiltse is great and I wish him all the successful in the world. While everyone in Jiu Jitsu probably knows who he is, outside of that he is basically unknown (as with most Jiu Jitsu competitors). I’d be willing to bet a sponsorship for him would not result in even a half-percent of growth for Panda Express.
I think you could say that about 99% of the people who have Nike/Adidas/Reebok Sponsorships and so on lol
The bigger the company the less the impact percentage wise.
Hopefully those companies never get into jiu-jitsu or everyone will be having to wear wrestling shoes. lol
The bigger the company the less the impact percentage wise.
Hopefully those companies never get into jiu-jitsu or everyone will be having to wear wrestling shoes. lol
Edited 5 year(s) ago
BMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
How many professional Jiu Jitsu athletes are sponsored by fast food restaurants?
Isn't the entire US Olympic team sponsored by McDonald's? At least they used to be...
BNPurple beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Most of the people who I know who have "sponsorships" aren't getting much more than the occasional free t shirt/other apparel in exchange for instagram posts now and then or sponsored by a friend with a small business to allow them a few hundred bucks for travel a few times a year... It often comes down to whom you know...
Unless you're pretty elite and winning titles that will be "respected" by the BJJ industry, the most realistic option might be the kindness of friends or living with your parents to save money if you want to chase the dream. I remember a couple of years ago for ADCC even Orlando Sanchez had something like "Ralph Suarez Real Estate" on his shorts. Bjj/grappling is a small sport.
Unless you're pretty elite and winning titles that will be "respected" by the BJJ industry, the most realistic option might be the kindness of friends or living with your parents to save money if you want to chase the dream. I remember a couple of years ago for ADCC even Orlando Sanchez had something like "Ralph Suarez Real Estate" on his shorts. Bjj/grappling is a small sport.
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
What was the deal with Machados and Adidas? I think they're still the only known sports brand that does BJJ and Judo gis and I think Machado brothers were the early ambassadors of that...
MGPurple beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
What was the deal with Machados and Adidas? I think they're still the only known sports brand that does BJJ and Judo gis and I think Machado brothers were the early ambassadors of that...
Clark Gracie has been and possibly still is sponsored by Adidas.
MWBlack beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
In Estonia companies expect a ridiculous return - e.g. For ~100 euros worth supplements per month daily social media posts, longer blog posts once per week etc. It's easier to do a small actual job and buy the supplements yourself.
I think that's the case with a lot of companies but like anything it's about relationships and what you can do return. Re additional income top tip start referring and working local comps to pay for your own competition.
FGBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Figure out how to provide actual value in return. That’s what most people asking for sponsorships seem to lack understanding of.
This!
You need to know how you can be of service and add value to a sponsor! I think a lot of people forget this...
I have been fortunate to help a lot of people get sponsorships in the past and it was always about bringing massive value to the sponsor or sometimes even potential sponsor if you are trying to gain favour. At the end of the day, no one owes you anything and no one likes it when athletes act all entitled! Gratitude goes a long way as does continually working on the relationship with sponsors and potential sponsors.
You need to know how you can be of service and add value to a sponsor! I think a lot of people forget this...
I have been fortunate to help a lot of people get sponsorships in the past and it was always about bringing massive value to the sponsor or sometimes even potential sponsor if you are trying to gain favour. At the end of the day, no one owes you anything and no one likes it when athletes act all entitled! Gratitude goes a long way as does continually working on the relationship with sponsors and potential sponsors.
PDBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Come up with a proposal template about you as a competitor, a person, the team / school you train with and the fans who go to the type of competitions you compete at. Include social media along with number of followers.
Once you have that pick your targets best people would be those who would want to market to the demographic that follows both you and the sport.
Let them know what you can do to help their business grow outside of just wearing their shirt at events when competing.
One caveat as far as I am concerned free t-shirts and free gear is not really a sponsorship money to help defray costs is.
You need to remember these are businesses and need to look at ROI as it is just another form of marketing
Once you have that pick your targets best people would be those who would want to market to the demographic that follows both you and the sport.
Let them know what you can do to help their business grow outside of just wearing their shirt at events when competing.
One caveat as far as I am concerned free t-shirts and free gear is not really a sponsorship money to help defray costs is.
You need to remember these are businesses and need to look at ROI as it is just another form of marketing
