How can I get sponsored? This is the question I get asked the most by up & coming tournament anglers, who are looking to crack the sponsorship code. There are several methods you could use, such as calling and pestering a company every day or sending flowers and candy to the company’s CEO. Either one of these methods could have you on the receiving end of a restraining order. The tool that I have found to be the most productive is a good fishing resume. We all know what a resume is, right? But what is a “fishing” resume? Similar to a regular job resume, a “fishing” resume focuses on your fishing career and your ability to help a company promote, market and sell their products and /or services. Keep in mind, there could be many other applicants vying for the same sponsorship, and the person reviewing the resumes may be short on time. Therefore, your fishing resume needs to be concise and to the point. You are in essence, trying to “paint a picture” of yourself and how you would represent the sponsor. Focus on your strengths, accomplishments and your marketing potential. Do not write a full autobiography. You should try to condense your fishing resume into 1 to 1-1/2 pages.
Here are a few items you should include on your fishing resume:
- Photograph: A small photo inserted at the top of the resume provides the sponsor with an image of the applicant.
- Contact Info: Your name, address, phone number and email address. If you have a fishing website, you can also provide the web address or link.
- Introduction: This should include a brief bio, a summary of your fishing career and background, as well as your objectives for assisting the sponsor with promoting and marketing.
- Work Experience: Only list your work experience and skills that are applicable to sales, promoting and marketing.
- Education: Everyone likes to surround themselves with intelligent, knowledgeable people and fishing sponsors are no different.
- Affiliations: List any fishing organizations, clubs or groups that you belong to. Include any volunteer work. This shows that you are an active participant in the fishing community.
- Current Sponsors: Being on an existing pro-staff shows you understand what is required to maintain that status.
- Industry References: List the names, phone numbers and positions of at least (3) fishing industry insiders that can be contacted as a reference.
Once you have all the information down on paper, be sure to proof read it over and over again. Eliminate any redundant or unnecessary info where possible. Be sure to spellcheck your document! The last thing you want to do is send a resume with typos. Remember…”You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
Good luck, and tight lines!
Darrel Thomas
RB Bass Angler
