Motorcycle Racing Forum

Racing Discussion => Racing Discussion => Topic started by: prov431 on September 18, 2003, 12:10:54 PM

Title: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: prov431 on September 18, 2003, 12:10:54 PM
2004 Sponsorship opp. idea
As some of you may know, I sold my two bikes recently to purchase my wife professional photo gear. We've officially opened "Shoot To Thrill Photo" a few months back. Well, business is going really well so far, and we are enjoying a nice following of customers. (Thank you to Frank Angel for ongoing help with the website!!) Problem is, we've only been doing car shows and portraits to date. Bambi (my wife) has shot many moto events before though, since she used to work for another track side photographer.
Recently she shot safety crew (and bikes) at the VIR AMA round, and will be shooting safety crew for the CCS event at VIR this month as well.
Our business is much like what you are used to seeing (trailer with on site prints/cd's/posters) only we strive to pick up where we think others are inefficient.
What we have in mind to do is a sponsorship for "X" number of racers in 2004. While this won't be a parts discount, or redeemable voucher type of set up, I do believe it would be something useful to racers and their primary sponsors.
We would like to provide these "X" amount of racers with professional photos, free of charge. It may be you posing with your bike, you racing, or you on the podium, whatever  
Question is, if my wife and I provided this sponsorship, what would you as a racer want from it, and how would you go about choosing who gets it.
We really want to do this, and we think it would be a benefit to not only you, the racer, but us as a business.
Please offer your opinions or thoughts so that we can get this idea off the ground.
Your help is appreciated!
Frank, the internet wizard has posted a picture for me on the business website here:
http://www.shoottothrillphoto.com/Photos/Ducati_Racing/sponsorsampleshot.jpg

This is an example of one of my ideas, using a picture of me. Looks especially awesome poster size ya know.
(yes, it's supposed to be blurry...it's been designed that way in case you were wondering)

-Dan & Bambi
www.shoottothrillphoto.com
info@shoottothrillphoto.com

Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: Tom Fredricks on September 18, 2003, 12:26:02 PM
What region will you be covering
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: Mark Bernard on September 18, 2003, 12:38:33 PM
Ditto....
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: prov431 on September 18, 2003, 01:30:02 PM
Mid Atlantic and some SE as well. I kinda like RRR, but I think that is as far south as we plan on going.
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: fizzer400 on September 18, 2003, 01:55:15 PM
I would definitely be interested, although I'm not sure how good a photo subject I make! :)

I'm SE, and I plan on visiting RRR next season more than anywhere else.

Jeff
CCS #419
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: prov431 on September 18, 2003, 03:09:11 PM
Question is, if my wife and I provided this sponsorship, what would you as a racer want from it, and how would you go about choosing who gets it?
That's my sticking point as of right now.
Any suggestions?
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: ecumike on September 18, 2003, 03:17:26 PM
QuoteQuestion is, if my wife and I provided this sponsorship, what would you as a racer want from it, and how would you go about choosing who gets it?
That's my sticking point as of right now.
Any suggestions?

Well..
1.  as racer, if I didn't already have someone taking photos for me, I'd want photos from each race.

2. How would I choose who gets it?.. you mean If I were you?... just take the 1st xx people who want it, and give it to them.

Maybe ask some of the sponsoring co.s how they go about choosing who they sponsor.?
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: rsmith on September 18, 2003, 03:40:09 PM
Hey Dan,

To answer your questions.  You stated what most folks want out of a sponsorship, product and\or services either discounted or free of charge.  Since you said you plan to provide photos free of charge my questions would be:
What type (digital media, prints, posters, ...)?
How many?
What events do you plan on shooting?

I would expect you as a sponsor to want maximum exposure so that will drive your selection criteria. Folks that are top performers, consistent finishers, and planning on attending all or majority of the events would be your best bet.

I'll be down at VIR next week, I'll look for you guys.  I could use a nice picture to finish the year.

Take care,
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: prov431 on September 18, 2003, 05:42:52 PM
Thank you for the replies so far everyone. We are taking many of the things you've stated into consideration.
The type of photo formats that we offer are either digital (jpg) or print. We do anywhere from wallet size to poster size, as well as CD's.
We'll probably put together a sponsorship package that will include many, if not all of the things we offer, and decide on an amount as well.
We're in the process of getting some decals made, and that would be one of the things we'd ask riders to put on their bikes. Other than that, we would ask that if you are happy with the quality of our work, to pass that information along to others, especially if you are being sponsored by us! That is how we've come so far in such a short amount of time with the car club folks, and we're quite certain we can prove ourselves to the racers in the same fashion. Fair price, quality products, and service without a hassle.
We believe the sponsorship idea is going to be great and we're looking forward to the 04 season.
More info to follow soon!
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: badmonkey on September 19, 2003, 06:00:09 AM
Base how you choose racers like most company's do by having them send you a race resume stating there goal's for the following season. Just giving it to the first people who show up could be a waste of time if they don't attend most of the races.
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: Mark Bernard on September 19, 2003, 08:26:42 AM
I would be interested Dan but I'm in the mid west regon.  :'( Ever think about jumping ship?  ;D Mark!
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: wizard on September 20, 2003, 06:20:48 AM
im in if you are intersested.

i race southeast and florida ccs and wera. FUSA and will be doing some AMA events next year also.

what i would want is my photos at the races free and some posters with your name on them of course to display, Next year I am also going to need photos to sign and hand out and of course your name on them as well.

what i will offer you is to display your products in my pit area name on bike and trailer if you would like. and to promote your bussiness.

email me at shark7837@aol.com if you are interested.

Jim  aka wizard racing.
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: prov431 on September 20, 2003, 06:01:51 PM
Hey guys, thanks for the continued replies. Bambi and I would ask that racers that are interested in participating in our 04 sponsorship program, email your contact information to info@shoottothrillphoto.com
We are discussing and throwing around ideas as to exactly how we will handle the "spnsorship package" that we'd like to do. When we have a firm plan down, we will contact each and every person that showed interest.
We look forward to giving back to the sport that we both love, and working with some talented racers in 04.
This is going to be cool ;D
-Dan & Bambi
Shoot To Thrill Photo
www.shoottothrillphoto.com
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: prov431 on September 21, 2003, 12:27:38 PM
Yet another update.
We have our sponsorship package and agreement  form in place. We still need to decide how many racers receive the sponsorship, and how to choose them. We should have that figured out soon though. If you are going to be at VIR, stop by the photo trailer for additional information and to design your own prints.
See you there.
-Dan
Shoot To Thrill Photo
info@shoottothrillphoto.com
www.shoottothrillphoto.com
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: smoke on September 22, 2003, 06:13:30 AM
I'm not in the top of the pack but I would/will pay for pics this week at VIR.  How much will they be?
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: prov431 on September 22, 2003, 06:33:46 AM
Let me start off by saying that you don't have to be a top rider to get our sponsorship. We are still in the process of deciding who gets it, and how, but it will be open to every racer that rides in the MA region, not just top finishers.  
As for pictures, I think you will find our prices are not what you are used to seeing. They are very fair for sure.
Better yet, you design your own picture, make it the way you want it, not just take what we want to give you. Doing things this way will take a little more time, but in the long run, you the customer come away more satisfied with our products.
Hope to see you at VIR. Stop by and see us.:)
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: smoke on September 22, 2003, 11:36:59 AM
I'm glad that u said some of the thigns on my mind.  As I am sick of getting the same OLD F****  >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( pick of me in T6  at summit!

I only ask about cost as the wife and I are figuring out how much cash to bring vs thowing stuff on the card
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: prov431 on September 22, 2003, 12:17:30 PM
Not like it's a big secret or anything, our prices are as follows:

Anything on an 8x10 sheet = $15.00
(that means, 2 5x7's, 9 wallets, 1 8x10 or 2 4x6's and many more pre made packages) 5x7's and 8x10's come w/ frames.

Poster 13x19 = $45.00 w/ clear protective transport bag.

CD's are priced per amount of images and start at $10.00 and go to $80.00. Most moto event CD's will fall in the $50.00 range. CD's w / jewel case.

Tee shirts are done at home and mailed to you and are $30.00 including shipping. (your personallized image created and saved, then we do the shirt)

There are no extra fees for anything on your prints. Make 'em the way you want them.

We are also offering return customer discounts in the form of a card that we will stamp for every print / cd you purchase. Buy some, then get one for free. Details on the cards.

Your choice of Heavyweight mat or glossy print media.

All papers are Epson photo / printers are Epson as well.  Awesome stuff. I think that covers most of it. All of this will be posted on the website soon though. Including our 04 racer sponsorship info.
Thanks guys.
Dan & Bams
Title: TRe: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: smoke on September 23, 2003, 04:28:34 AM
 :o :o ::) ::)
 WOW ; I will be by to get so picks!!!!!!!
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: lilbuj on September 29, 2003, 09:12:58 AM
Bought a CD this weekend. I am very Happy with the quality of the Photos and the Image quality. ;D
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: smoke on September 29, 2003, 09:27:13 AM
Prov
I still need to oder my pics. There were so many people there on sunday I was 15 deep in line. Can I give you my CC #?

It was nice to meet u and your wife.  Congrats !!!!!!!!!  People got more pics from you guys than anyone
Title: Re: 04 Sponsorship Opps
Post by: prov431 on September 29, 2003, 09:40:07 AM
new topic here:
http://www.racemotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/board/YaBB.pl?board=ccs1;action=display;num=1064853465

Sponsorship program for 04 information will be updated as we get it, I'll start a new thread then!

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO CAME BY THIS WEEKEND!
WE HAD A BLAST!
-Dan & Bams