Very good Ned. I agree with everything except the talking to people at SEMA about sponsorship. This is actually the number one no - no, the most hated practice a manufacturer deals with at the show, is someone with a proposal looking for sponsorship be it free or a deal. Those manufacturers are spending sometimes $100K to be there to sell product to WDs and dealers. One of my friends figured out his cost to be at SEMA, $46 per minute! PER MINUTE!!!! think about for a second! 76 cents per second! They are not spending that money to give product away. I caution anyone that considers going to SEMA, or any other trade show for that matter, looking for sponsorship. Most all of these proposals piss off the manufacturer and they go in the trash. I know of at least one manufacturer who found someone that was "got in" by a shop, and turned him in. In reality potential sponsors should never be approached in atmospheres in which they have spent money to be there, including car shows. Again, they spend money to be there so they can sell parts. And no matter how great your project, and how great a marketing opportunity your project is for that manufacturer, you need to wait until they are somewhere it does not cost them money to talk to you, like at their home base. Talking to them about sponsorship at a event would be the same as asking them to buy you dinner so you have some place to discuss this!
Sponsorship is hard to get, but I can assure you your chances are much better if you do the request in the proper atmosphere.
Ned, I was trying to pick on you, sorry
__________________
Frank Serafine
|