I figured this was a good follow up for the article “How to get a Gaming Sponsorship”. We touched on some things, but at the same time I think it is a good enough topic to get its own article. I wish I didn’t have to write it to be completely honest. The only problem is that people don’t know when they should be professional, when they shouldn’t and when the right time to take action is.
Things we “Kind of” covered in the last article:
Don’t apply to early
First things first, you should not be applying to early!!! This is the worst thing you could do. This will crush you before you even start. No one wants to see you before you’re something, or at the very least, close to something! I know I don’t have to explain what “something” is, so I won’t. People remember this kind of stuff. That goes for people reading emails from big name companies like Razor and MLG and whoever else you could be possibly applying for. This is such an easy thing to NOT do, and yet some of you will still do it. Tisk tisk.
Don’t forget to proofread
Oh god, why is this not obvious? I really hope you’re all thinking the same thing. Sad part is, it’s really not. People and teams start banging out sponsorship emails like they’re rapid firing them to raise their chances, little do they know they’re actually making it 10 times worse for themselves. This is something that if you forget to do it, you may as well just mark that sponsor off the list. It was a nice try! Just don’t forget.
Don’t forget to be professional
Here’s another one. Something you think would go without saying. Well, unfortunately again, people don’t even know what this means. You need to stop thinking it’s okay to use slang words like “wanna” and “gunna”. Those aren’t actually words and you’re lucky I even call them “slang”. They’re actually just typo’s in your soon to be NOT sponsors eyes.
Things we need to cover:
Don’t demand to much
Listen, if you were THAT great you would probably have sponsors coming to you. If you’re reading this, you most likely don’t, and that’s okay. Just don’t make these little mistakes. If the sponsor you are currently applying for is asking you to set some terms which you would like to be met, you don’t want to be demanding more then you are good for. Don’t take that as me being mean, but this especially goes for your first sponsor. Why do you need something out of this world to start? Just get your feet wet a bit, demand LESS then what you think you’d absolutely deserve. Now you go yourself a sponsor. Now you’re getting somewhere.
Don’t skimp on your presentation
You’re trying to get your first ever gaming sponsor! This is a huge step. Don’t forget that. AND don’t skimp out of your presentation. Show the sponsor what you have to offer and make yourself look as awesome as you can be. Don’t try to be slick and just bang out sponsorship applications one after another. Take the time to really put yourself out there and show them what you’re all about.
Bonus material
I needed to give you a little bonus material before I just fed you at to the wolves. This is a link from Razer and it literally has a tab of what “not to do”. The poor people who sent what they sent in is actually listed in what seems to be Razers Wall of Shame. Go check it out for yourself. I got some enjoyment out of it, as terrible as that is. — http://www.razerzone.com/team/sponsors