5 Tips for athletes to help pitch for brand sponsorship
Let’s not sugar coat it, the absolute guaranteed best thing to do is to become the world #1 in your sport - that is definitely without a shadow of a doubt the easiest route to success!
But after that, here are the next best tips to consider when it's time to make your pitch….
What should you include in this important ask? 🤔
> 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱
> 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂
> 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿?
> 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲.
> 𝗗𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁…
Let’s break these down a little more below…
WHY THEM?
When reaching out, start with an honest and thoughtful reason on why you are choosing this brand. Maybe its their product fit, the athlete care they are known for, or do you believe strongly in their corporate or brand mission?
WHY YOU?
What is it that you can bring to the help them achieve their objectives? Eg, do you bring a specific audience that they would otherwise not be able to engage or have to pay to do so? Do you bring a particular creative flair and appeal? Or perhaps your standing and performance experience helps you standout as a recognised expert, as a voice of authority able to validate and authenticate the brands product or positioning?
AUDIENCE BENEFIT
How might your partnership help bring value to their audience, and vice versa? for example can you share a unique insight that provides added value to an existing conversation? Maybe your POV or approval could unlock sales for the brand, or the brand can unlock early/easy access to products you know your audience is hungry for?
HOW TO ACTIVATE?
Make it really easy for them to see you might work together immediately. We often tell people BYOBP (bring your own brand plan) - Coming with an activation idea that doesn’t require a huge lift by the brand manager or a large spend makes everyone’s jobs easier and also will build confidence early on.
BE BRAVE
Be confident and forthcoming in the value you bring to any potential brand contract or athlete sponsor deal. No ask is too big, definitely share a long term vision of change, just be prepared to the work needed - you can certainly ask for a lot from the brand but you need to be willing to give up the access, time, effort and trust that they require to do it.
Lastly, make sure you follow up - give it 2 weeks and don't be afraid to check in and ask if they had any thoughts... 👍
If you need help finding the right people to speak to or need coaching through this, we're here to help 📞
If this resonated, don’t leave it as inspiration.
Understanding brand is one thing. Building it properly is another.
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If you’re serious about building something that lasts beyond selection, form, or contracts — start here:
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