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You are a great angler. You just won your Thursday Night Derby and finished in the top-10 of your local club’s AOY standings this year. Even more, you’ve caught a dozen bass in the double-digits. Good for you. Good for your sponsors? Not so much.

Sorry if that sounds a bit harsh. But the fact of the matter is, bass fishing companies and potential sponsors get hundreds of letters, phone calls and emails stating similar accolades. Yes, being a good stick gets you into the game, but helping (proving) you can move product is what makes potential sponsors take note, and more importantly, make room for you on their roster.

5 Tips on how to attract bass fishing sponsors.

1. Approach companies you already have experience with.

One of the first questions a company will ask you is, “Which one of our products is your favorite and what do you like about it?” Be prepared to give a detailed review of your favorite product with key points of why you chose this product over all others. NOTE: answering, “Oh, I like all your products” may sound nice but the B.S. flag may start waving.

2. There is no “I” in team.

It may be a tired cliché, but when you open the conversation with “I did this” and “I do that” and “I ….” Well, you may be in for a short conversation. When it’s all said and done, potential sponsors want to know what you can do for them. Starting with examples of how you can help move product (web presence, social networking, tradeshow support, local market penetration, etc.) keeps the conversation going.

3. A logo on your jersey is only the beginning.

When you get on stage and have to read your jersey to remind yourself who you’re representing, you’re not making much of an impression – on the public or your sponsor. Keep your focus on the products that matter most to you and you end up meaning more to your sponsors.

4. Keep in touch.

If contract renewal time is the only time your sponsor hears from you, you may not be hearing back from them any time soon. Sponsors like being talked about. Keep them in the conversation: hash tags and links in your social networking; mentions and links in your website posts; quick emails on product insights or reviews; possible networking connections they may benefit from; etc.

5. Are you serious?

You want to catch bass for a living. How serious do you have to be? That’s all up to you. If you want to put in the minimum amount of effort and a 10% discount on product and logo for jersey is all you’re after, that doesn’t take much. But if you’re looking for more, you have to do more. So roll up your sleeves, fill your livewell and be prepared to tell the world how you did it. Sponsors are sure to follow.

For more ways on how to take your fishing and career to the next level, be sure to visit ProSitesUnlimited.com

If you’ve spent any time in a coffee shop, barbershop, standing in line at the bank, idle at a stoplight, anywhere… you know everywhere you turn, someone is on a mobile device. So that’s where we put you with your responsive website.

With all new responsive designs, your Pro Sites Unlimited angler or business website scales to the device your audience can’t put down. And now you go wherever they go. It’s responsive, quick and everything you need to attract more fans and sponsors with one click.

Check out the all-new responsive designs at ProSitesUnlimited.com today.

With your own personal corner on the web, you're talking to a worldwide audience. Yes, catching bass, climbing the leader board and taking your career to the next level are key. But with your own website, you're part of a billion dollar business that keeps growing by spreading the word. Sporting a sponosor logo on your jersey and putting in some time at a tradeshow are just the price of entry in today's competitive fishing market. You can either step up or step back. That's the bottom line. To keep you and your sponsors part of the conversation and ahead of the competition, your website provides the tools and communication needed to give you the edge. With one click, it's on.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Zuckerberg unleashed a monster when he launched Facebook. Now everyone and their mother (we still haven't responded to Mom's friend request) have a facebook page. Take advantage of this huge audience by sharing more than just pictures of your dog and YouTube videos. The bottom of your Pro Sites Unlimited blog posts offer you one-click sharing with your facebook friends (if you don't have a share button, let us know). Finish a blog, click, instant sharing. Do the same on the facebook side. Make sure your "about" info on your facebook profile includes your Pro Sites Unlimited website address. And be sure to include links in your updates back to your site. It's the easiest (cheapest - FREE) way to boost your traffic. 

Even easier is feeding the Twitter bird. In a 140 characters, you can lure this huge (500 Million +) audience to discover more at your angler website. Use the share button at the bottom of your blog posts for one-click tweeting and sharing of your posts.

Start your own youTube channel and embed your videos right inside your website. It’s free and plays your videos on virtually every device in existence.

Need even more channels? Plug in to YouTube, Instagram, Pinterst, Foursquare, LinkedIn and more.

STAY FRESH

You have a very easy to use and flexible canvas to promote yourself and your sponsors with your Pro Sites Unlimited website. Want some ideas or inspiration on how to use your site more? Visit our Showcase and look at some samples of how some of our members use their websites to promote themselves and their sponsors. Need help updating your website? Visit our Help Page with quick How-To video tutorials and downloads.

• Keep your content fresh. Add a post at least once a week. Add new photos to your gallery. Keep your tournament trail schedule updated with your results. If your audience and sponsors return and nothing has changed, you aren't giving them a reason to come back.

• Share your posts on Social Media. One-click sharing spreads the word to your facebook and twitter audience and pulls them in to boost your traffic.

• Promote your Sponsors. Sharing your sponsors' logo on your sponsor page is a great start. But if that's all you're doing, that's like putting their logo on your jersey and not talking about them. There is a WHAT'S HOT block on your home page. Use that area to promote the latest from your sponsors. Post a blog or news story about them. Had a great tournament with one of their products? Write about it. And when it comes time to renegotiate next year, press like this makes a difference. 

• Add your domain EVERYWHERE. Include your Pro Sites Unlimited website address on your jersey. Put it on your boat wrap and tow vehicle. Add it to the signature of your emails. Make sure it is listed in your profile on your social channels. Make sure it's in the signature of the chat rooms you participate in. This is your business card. Use it. 

• Use your blog. Use it often. Your site and your blog should answer the question, "What have you been up to lately?" Tournament results, product testing, trips, sponsor shows, tips, discoveries, great catches, photos, etc. With archived posts, your blog can act as a journal as well to help you next time you're on that body of water or for next year's tournament.

Promotion makes the bass world go around. Make sure you go around with it. Need anything, let us know - Pro Sites Unlimited