It does sound like you are going in the right direction and actually have quite a few product sponsors. One thing I would do is make the sponsors more prominent on the web site. They should be on the home page (I’d ditch the slow loading flash page) where they can be seen without going to another page.
I’d also have a picture of my trailer showing the sponsor logos as it is out at shows or just on the road. It would show potential sponsors how they would get exposure.
I would say: definitely have sponsor logos prominently on your trailer.
Note that in some states having those kinds of logos may require you to have a Commercial driver’s license – worth checking.
This may be a tangent, but be polite and professional at ALL times, to everyone. A smile and a “hello” costs you nothing and takes the barest of efforts. I have reached the point in my own professional/ financial life where I’d be willing to donate a reasonable amount to someone in your position (a one-time thing, not syndication). In fact, I almost did. Quite some time ago, I met an ULR at a function attended by many mutual horsey acquaintances, and this person was charming and engaging. Must have been because I was with who I was with, had on nice clothes, makeup, and smelled nice, because a few weeks later I encountered this same individual by myself in a different setting. I was hot, dusty, red-faced, probably smelled like the horses I’d been riding all day, and definitely did not look like the successful person I play in a different setting. I smiled (through my sweat-soaked pig-pen haze) but this person looked through me. Not worth their time. I thought, hey, everyone has a bad day, and when I saw them again a short while later, I said “hello”. Nada. oooooh-kaaaay. I totally get not recognizing me- I meet a lot of people in my job, and I’m terrible at remembering people, but I ALWAYS am polite, smile, and make an effort. It goes a long way. Ironically, a fund-raising flyer arrived in the mail that week. I tossed it.
^^^ that is a very good read for anyone seeking sponsorship.
I’ve been snubbed by pros before and then showered with attention when they realize I’ve got some nice horses. I think I need to go out to the barns dressed in overalls and interview people.
I don’t have much $$ at this time but I would totally get into sponsoring a talented, motivated, positive up and coming pro. I’d love to do that. And I’d do it for no reason other than the satisfaction and pride from watching that person thrive and contribute to our sport. I can think of a handful of young pros in my area that I’d love to sponsor. I am considering donating a talented horse to a pro who I’ve got great respect for in my area. She works incredibly hard, she started from nothing to a string of good horses trained from nothing, and she is always positive, upbeat, and working.
Can one donate a horse to a pro for a tax write off? Or does it need to be only $$ through the foundation?
I agree over and over with hey101 and WindingDown. I am usually the one that is covered in dirt and sweat and running around trying to make everything work. haha I am not one to snub anyone else doing the same thing. Trust me, I have been snubbed many times.
WindingDown, you should contact AHTF. I believe you can donate a horse through them, but I’m not 100% on that.
^^^ I think I can.
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