Before setting off in an active search for sponsors, it is important to define your project clearly by answering the following questions:
- Why am I taking part in the Dakar?
- What are my motivations?
- What are my objectives?
- What are my assets in achieving those objectives?
- What sort of crew do I want to set up?
- What resources do I need to achieve this?
It is important to detail the various cost items in order to have a clear idea of your expenses (Vehicle preparation – Registration – Trip – Visas and passports – assistance vehicle(s) – mechanics registrations…) After this stage, you must have answers to the following four questions:
- What is my budget?
- How should I present it to my potential partners/sponsors?
- What are my available funds?
- How much should I ask for from my potential sponsors?
Your potential sponsors must be targeted : better to count on your relational, personal, professional or regional fabric rather than “major sponsors” who may be less inclined to support you. Make a list of your potential partners and characterise them:
- What do they do?
- Why would they be likely to help me?
- What specific arguments should I put forward?
- What funds do they have available?
- Which companies should I see as a priority?
“Do not make mistakes in what you say or who you target”. There is no point in talking about your potential sporting achievements if you are taking part in your first Dakar! !
Your aim is to finish, not to be placed! So, assess what you say and in particular your media exposure: amateurs will be the subject of one-off reports, they are frequently mentioned in the local and regional media but do not promise the TV news or a daily sports newspaper!
Prepare a personalised dossier to present your project. This presentation must be clear, concise, persuasive and imaginative; it must make them dream of the rally but also convince them of your personal qualities.
You need to highlight your special features, your motivation :
- What is original about your entry?
- Why are you passionate about motor sports (and cross country rallies in particular)?
- What previous experience do you have?
Consider presenting your sporting profile: draw inspiration from statistics on Dakar 2019. Put yourself into the rally: in terms of age, type of vehicle, number of entries, status (professional or amateur). Stress your nationality and your region! Identify potential media spin-off: media statistics can help you identify press, radio or even TV spin-off in your region.
Regional media are frequently looking for a potted history of amateur competitors; so do not hesitate to contact them and suggest an interview, your potential sponsors will only be more impressed!
Present your arguments to justify sponsorship:
- To give out a good image of the company at local, regional or national level thanks to media spin-off. The company’s name (and/or one of its brands) is associated with your entry and the adventure of the rally.
- To change or strengthen the company’s image internally. To advertise the company’s main values, the directors can use event sponsorship to motivate employees and/or associate the company with values such as courage, surpassing oneself, competition, human adventure,… which characterise the Dakar.
- To build a relationship with their suppliers/customers. Sponsorship may be a way for one of your suppliers/customers to build strong links before or after the conclusion of a partnership.
- To involve your sponsors indirectly in the adventure. The Dakar is a mythical trial in which everyone who is interested in motor or extreme sports will want to take part one day… These fans, potential sponsors, will be all the more inclined to help you in this challenge if they can live the adventure by proxy.
- To enable the partner company to enjoy tax relief. Depending on the country, sponsorship offers tax breaks. Consider putting forward a small sales pitch to demonstrate these tax breaks according to the legislation in your country.
Download an example of sponsoring presentation that you can modify
Documents you can use:
Finally, do not forget to…
- Keep them up to date with your exploits during/after the rally
- Give them a DVD collection of Dakar articles, or a detailed press review, or a photo album to thank them.