How do sponsorships work?

[Syntax]

I know absolutely nothing about how sponsorships work. Can someone please explain it to me?

I know I need to write a proposal to each sponsor. What should the proposal say?

Do they offer me funding for the event in exchange for publicity and advertising?

I woud like to get sponsors for me event coming up but would like some insight into how this works.

[Anyone]

try to look at it from a potential sponsor's point of view
what have you got to offer?

how many people will be exposed to their product
by having a presence at your event?

does your event transcend the same values
that their brand wants to project?

things like that...

[xangadix]

Most sponsers find it very interesting if there is something to show after the event. So if you bring 2 friends with a camera along and give him a dvd of 6 - 10 minutes. If you write that down in your proposal as "unique selling point" or "unique impression management benefits" the sponser will take you more seriously.

What anyone says is also very true; think about your sponser. A charity foundation will expect different things then a clothing company or a an event organiser. Think about who it is whom you are contacting.

[hookturn]

Im currently sponsored by Pioneer NZ.
I get 2 dvjs and a djm 800 mixer oh and they also supplied me with a V4 whcih was "just sitting around doing nothing".
This kit is on an ongoing basis, unfortunatly its not mine to keep but hey Id never of been able to have that setup at home or at gigs.

This setup is deal for a/v which is what I want to get into

In return I have to promote their products at all the gigs I use their kit at.
This involves dropping a few product fliers here and there in the club and also playing their logo on the screen once or twice every hour. If people come up and ask about the kit Im more than happy to show it off to them and tell them what does what.
A lot of punters ask me how do you do this that and the other and I fill them in on all the info they need.
Im also tied into doing demos at Pioneers request around the country and the great thing is is that they pay for all expenses.

Also when the new DVJ 1000s finally get here Ill be doing a product launch for them which to be honest Im really looking forward to.

Ive also done a few interviews for mags in Auckland which I really push the Pioneer branding, but I never forget to promote other products that I use such as Mac, M8 and Edirol to name a few.
This then gives me leverage to approach more companies to provide me with equipment on long term loan.

All in all I can say if you have something that is unique about you and you get to vj at large gigs then approach the product manufacturers that you want kit from, but build a good proposal first.

I suppose Im lucky in the fact that I have over 7 years of sales experiance behind me so I know how to sell myself.

When I do arrive at gigs then I can afford to be pushy and ask for more $$$$ because I belive that I bring a hell of a lot more than some other vj's in Auckland, not just kit wise but also in quality content and a professional approach. Dont get me wrong there are some awesome vj's here in NZ such as the Lotech boys, Warp tv crew, Optibreak and others, but there are some shockingly bad vj's out there too with a really badd approach to the vj field.

Saying all that I still have a day job to earn my crust due to the fact of having a wife and baby to support so you will have to work hard in order to get what you want.

Ive been really lucky in NZ because I went out of my way to promote myself and build a good rep and they love tryers here in NZ.

So in a nutshell get a good proposal together and keep pestering the Product manufacutrers till they give in .