Liquidice78 - I have just been through this whole excercise in getting sponsors for our Downhill Team. In most cases the sponsors wont come looking for you, you need to go looking for them. An absolute must is a good proposal that you can submit to the sponsor that highlights you past and current achievements. Remember that the potential sponsor will be making some sort of investment or conribution that will always cost him money, be that in supplying funds or products, he is still giving out money. He will want to know what his return on his investment is in sponsoring you. You need to highlight what events you will be competeing in, expected competitor numbers, spectator numbers and how the event can create exposure for his brand. probably the most important aspect is what exposure you can give and create for him. Chat to newspapers and get them to post results of the events you compete in, create a Facebook page where you can post race results, photo's etc and get as many people as you know to 'like' your page. I can go on and on and you will be happy to know that there are sponsors out there who will help you, you just have to show them how you going to in a proposal. A very important mindset when approaching sponsors is - not what your sponsor can do for you, but what you can do for your sponsor. Good luck!!
