Sponsorship's

[Gearijigu]

so in the quest to become the best mlg team in history I thought of a question I know that people get sponsors to help them with team jerseys and what have you but what I was wondering is how exactly do you go about soliciting a sponsorship for you and or your team? any advice or potential people willing to sponsor would be awesome (planning on going to the opener for next season)

[americanbash]

Easiest way is just to approach sponsors that you think might be interested. Very few will actually come to you until you start making a name for yourself. Getting a sponsorship is very hard for rising stars until they have proven themselves and have a few tournaments in there career.

[forefront]

Not to bash on you americanbash (lol), but that is completely incorrect. Sponsors don't care how good you are at the game. To be perfectly blunt, they don't even care what the game is in the first place. All they care about is if you are going to advertise for them, will you do it in a way that presents their product or service as a highly desirable commodity to their particular target demographic. That means, you need to:

1: Target small businesses that can't afford much advertising. Think about it, if you are wearing their brand, and you get in a G4TV short or something, then they get national or regional exposure that they wouldn't have been able to get otherwise.

2: Present yourself professionally. Prepare a presentation for your potential sponsor, and set up a meeting with their PR department. Show them that you are a sound business decision, not some kid who plays games really well.

3: Tell them who you and your team are. Don't try to wow them with gameplay, because they won't care one bit. Most likely, they won't even know what's going on. Let them know what you've done in your life that proves you are as dedicated and serious as you claim to be. What are your achievements in school, work, etc. Do you volunteer anywhere? What are your goals, interests, etc. Don't be too detailed, just a summary of why they can depend on you.

Ultimately, you are applying for a job. Your job will be to advertise for them, and represent their product and brand professionally and fervently. Remember this, and go find a sponsor.

[vVvPerilous]

yes this is a good start but also make sure you are marketable yourself. It is hard for a company to say yes to someone that is not a marketable person, and if you are not in the best shape start working on it now, or develop a great personality that makes them see past whatever it is you have. Another thing is to make sure you are more than just a gamer like forefront said. Being well rounded is key in this business. Most companies may ask why would I not just sponsor the tournament itself so make them understand why it is better to sponsor you instead, this is hard but it can be done.

[redhat4]

Stop, do not pass go. Really it is not worth it in any way to play halo. It's the worst decision you can make. It's the worst investment you can make in your life. You won't get a good sponsor. HALF THE TOP PROS IN THE GAME QUIT BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET A SPONSOR TO EVEN PAY FOR THEIR TRAVEL OR HOTEL ROOM. What part of that new players don't understand...I'll never know. MLG uses their players and uses you. It's plain and simple not a profitable business. Make good grades and get a good job. plain and simple.

[americanbash]

Thanks for correcting me, even though I know there are a few sponsors who do look for well known people.


Stop, do not pass go. Really it is not worth it in any way to play halo. It's the worst decision you can make. It's the worst investment you can make in your life. You won't get a good sponsor. HALF THE TOP PROS IN THE GAME QUIT BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET A SPONSOR TO EVEN PAY FOR THEIR TRAVEL OR HOTEL ROOM. What part of that new players don't understand...I'll never know. MLG uses their players and uses you. It's plain and simple not a profitable business. Make good grades and get a good job. plain and simple.

Not everyone is trying to make the big bucks for playing video games. Some people just play it for fun and as a hobby. Doesn't mean people should give up on it. Your assuming that his only goal in life is to play Halo or some other game professionally for the rest of his life. Please try be a good representative of the TLN community, we are trying to be more reasonable and understanding here rather than the MLG forums.

[Gearijigu]

thanks for setting him straight bash :) really it was just a question and I would like to think that I have my head screwed on straight and I realize that I probably wont be a top pro but it cant hurt to have a sponsor and by god I'm gonna try my hardest to go the farthest thanks for the advice guys and redhat like bash said try to be more mature TLN is not the place for flaming...
BTW bash and anyone else HMU my GT: TLN Gearijigu I always have a headset love communicating and always wear my tryhard pants :b

[MrChaosTheory]

Just mention it is possible for you to get onto the mainstage [as it may not be likely, but its possible]. As it would mean more exposure.

Just a little more specific on forefronts first point:

Tell them it is potentially very lucrative for them as MLG Columbus had 22 million stream views, if you are only asking for jerseys from a small business $120+ isn't much for that amount of mass marketing.

[Eamonn]

Stop, do not pass go. Really it is not worth it in any way to play halo. It's the worst decision you can make. It's the worst investment you can make in your life. You won't get a good sponsor. HALF THE TOP PROS IN THE GAME QUIT BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET A SPONSOR TO EVEN PAY FOR THEIR TRAVEL OR HOTEL ROOM. What part of that new players don't understand...I'll never know. MLG uses their players and uses you. It's plain and simple not a profitable business. Make good grades and get a good job. plain and simple.

lolwut..

[redhat4]

haha it has nothing to do with maturity, it's about using one's time efficiently. I simply stated the fact that many pros have quit because they can't find sponsors. So it is highly unlikely that someone who is just playing as a hobby and cannot reference high placement or notoriety to get a sponsor. Nothing is wrong with playing for fun, but trying to get a sponsorship is not going to happen and will cost large amounts of time. I'm not flamming the commuity or op, but he should just be aware that it's very unlikely as the best in the game have trouble getting sponsors.

[Gearijigu]

haha it has nothing to do with maturity, it's about using one's time efficiently. I simply stated the fact that many pros have quit because they can't find sponsors. So it is highly unlikely that someone who is just playing as a hobby and cannot reference high placement or notoriety to get a sponsor. Nothing is wrong with playing for fun, but trying to get a sponsorship is not going to happen and will cost large amounts of time. I'm not flamming the commuity or op, but he should just be aware that it's very unlikely as the best in the game have trouble getting sponsors.

I was very aware of this fact I was just asking... more of an interest thing really I know that you have to have some noteriety I just cold emailed some companies and I've gotten offers for discounts on things so it wasn't all a loss

[redhat4]

sounds like a lot of work for a couple discounts. good luck with mlg events. prepare for the awful smell and a lot of money spent on a waste of time imo. but you're going to try any ways. mlg is a broken business model with no huge potential.

[Nutoriiuz]

id try going to local people who have a small business and try talking to them.