Articles
Mayberry Marauders sponsorship tips
By Tony Jackson
Sep 21, 2003, 13:28

The Mayberry Marauders were formed in 1994 with the goal of having fun and promoting the sport of Scenario Paintball. Over the past several years, we have attended well over 100 scenario games across the country and continue to do so. We are one of the most respected, awarded and publicized scenario teams. This is because of our love for the sport, dedication to helping others and hard-core, stand-up playing style. We have a strict set of team guidelines we follow, which ensures we represent paintball,  ourselves and our sponsors in the most positive light possible.

Over the years we have had various sponsors but have aggressively reached out to specific sponsors over the past several months. Each sponsor we have solicited has been to fill specific needs for the team. The sponsors we chose to ask for consideration were picked because of their exceptional products and their dedication to promoting paintball. Our list of sponsors includes AGD, Alchemy Billboards, Atomic Ordnance, BustNBalls, Crossfire Inc, EMR, Magnum Boots, MXS, Powerlyte and VForce. Without their support for paintball and for the Marauders, we would not be who we are today!

I have received several emails asking how we get the sponsors we do. I am happy to help and reply. After all - it is not a competition to see who can get. If it were, we would solicit from everyone in the industry. I have also seen several articles published on how to get sponsors, and they are right on the money. Here are some tips from myself:

Don't go for the gold - straight away
It took the Marauders several years before we gained our first sponsor. We attended several events per year and established ourselves through our stand-up play. This also helps them approach you as hearing info from the "grapevine".

Network Events
Find out who from the industry will be at events, introduce yourself and team. Feel them out to see what their position on sponsorship is.

Discounts
Discounts are some of the first and current sponsorships we received. This is good for the team and for the sponsor. It gives the sponsor opportunity to "hear through the grapevine" if you are promoting their products and enjoying them. After time, check and make sure they are happy with the promotion you are doing for them, and see if they will increase their sponsorship.

Thank your Sponsors
Sponsors are in it to make money! Teams are sponsored because they help promote products to the rest of the paintball community to generate sales. Have the team send them thank you's often and give them status updates of games attended, photos of the team using their products, and stuff like that.
Research Potential Sponsors
Companies do not like getting emails stating - "Hey, me and my friends play paintball. We are good. You should sponser us!". Find out who the sponsorship co-ordinator is. Call the company, ask questions.

Sponsorship submission
SPELL SPONSOR CORRECTLY! I hear complaints from various companies about this and the amount of sponsorship requests they receive. You have to EARN their sponsorship, and STAND OUT above the rest of the requests. A well thought, clear, concise document such as a formal letter and resume including history of team, photos, schedule, roster, awards and what and how you can do for a sponsor.

Be respectful
I know we have sent our info to several companies in the past, and we never receive a response. That does not change how we feel about them or their products. It just means that we didn't grab their attention, and to adjust and try again.

Don't be afraid to spend some money
Sponsors want you to support them, so they can support you. The Marauders spend their own money to have banners created with the sponsor's logos. In addition, we spend our own money to buy jerseys and have sponsor logos added to them, thus making us a "walking billboard". Offer to help at booths if needed. Donate time and material if they need assistance with setting up, etc... Prove to them, you are as dedicated to them as they are to you. They are taking a risk sponsoring teams. Show them your appreciate that risk.
It takes work. No doubt about it! I have spent tireless hours drafting and re-drafting our team resume and sponsorship letter.

Again, I would like to take a moment to thank all of our sponsors and to encourage everyone to support them by purchasing their products.

A final thought - Look at the companies starting to support Scenario Ball. They are finding that Scenario Paintball is the place to be. The scenario community supports those that support us, unlike the other side of paintball. Those "Wankers" (term used loosely - no offense to anyone) are trending to only use what they are given! Although currently more publicized (thus the reason for sponsorship swinging toward the Tournament Player), I believe you will soon start to see tons more support and publication for Scenario Ball. The scenario players are friends, stand-up and the reason why paintball exists today! An extended family if you will.

This has most recently been proven by the overwhelming outpour of support by the Industry and players to help with the Kayleigh Wilkes Cancer Fund. I GUARANTEE you will not find that kind of love and support in other venues of paintball. I encourage everyone that can make it, to attend the MXS/PMI Texas Throwdown in Dec... and continue to support this fund! The event will be "the" premier event including a player hospitality tent, ultralights for bombing runs, a band, great people, great food and great paintball, including the years biggest prize package giveaway and raffle/auction.