it's hard to find sponsorships for a 350z because a lot of the big companies out there already built one. also whats hard is that these big sponsors out there want the cars that they sponsored to be in shows all across the US and being that we live in Hawaii makes it that much more difficult to get our cars out there. i would suggest being self-sponsored like me.

 

It is EXTREMELY hard to pick up sponsers, and even harder for people with close to stock cars. A lot of people that pick up sponsors usually have show quality cars already and/or know people in the business that can hook them up. Sponsors are not looking for stock cars (unless they specifically state that they are). They want to get their names out there, and the best way to do that would be with a car that is well known, a person that is well known, a shop that is well known, etc.

 

808 is partially correct. It's not as hard to get sponsorships as many people think. One of the biggest problems people actually face when looking for a sponsorship is approaching one proffesionally. Most people can't just "ask" for a sponsorship and recieve one unless they've built a history with that company, or similar businesses, or are known in the industry for giving companies exposure (I.e. LJ Garcia used to take his car to every HIN show in the U.S.). Often people obtain sponsorships from companies who see their cars at shows because their cars are already built, and their end result shows their comittment to the hobby. But at that point, you've already spend thousands!

The best way is to lay out a solid plan of what you want to do to the car. Then, figure out what companies you'd like to sponsor you, and what you'd like from them. Then, figure out (this is the most important part) how you will achieve exposure for their company by sponsoring you. The exposure should in some way seem to equate to the money they sacrifice in sponsoring you. Figure out when the start of car show season is, and plan to submit your proposal much ealier then the date (dont expect money to be spent on you if you offer a proposal in the middle of the year). Like wise with actual motorsports (cars actually moving). Most companies have a specific budget set aside for sponsoring - don't try to tap it when it's already budgeted.

Write your proposal as if you were selling yourself and your project, because you are. It's not what they can do for you, but what you can do for them. Even RJ DeVera comes up with proposals for Valvoline each year that he builds a car for them.

Rule of thumb: Don't expect anything for free, which includes parts sponsorships - especially if the part is made by a company known for it's quality. Although these companies may seem like they're doing well, the industry in general is down - they are often close to not breaking even for the year. Others who do well, do so well they see no point in giving something for free. Everyone sponsored by Ray's pay some amount for them. And it's not as cheap as you might like to think. (keep inmind, they do well because they are careful with giving away freebies. no one in the inidustry can truly afford to do so anymore.)

Where 808 is completely correct is that finding venues in Hawaii to offer expposure to what becomes your client is few and far between. You can do it, but it'll take some creative ides to show you can achieve the level of exposure the company is looking for here.

btw, some things to consider:

-If your car is planned as rice, don't expect sponsorship from non-rice companies
-Submit your proposal to any one you can THINK of that you'd like sponsoring you. Increase your chances, because starting out, you won't have as much a chance.
-Sometimes companies are looking for fresh people and ideas. Study their advertisements, parts line ups, wording they use in ads, etc etc (their marketing) How they market themselves is how you should market yourself to them. Studying their marketing shows you how to be appealing to the company

But of course, all this takes research, and work. That's where people fail the most. Instead of trying to achieve their goals with elbow grease, they'd rather jut wait, see, and pray that someone will just drop parts out of the sky for them.

 

^ Great post. Although, I still believe it's a ***** to get sponsored. It's a lot of hard work.

 

imo the best way to get sponsored is to buy a Scion.

 

Agreed. Not saying that it's easy, just that it can still be done, and if you want to do it, now's the time, while the country's in denial about the recession.