Most of you know I spend quite a bit of time online reading and keeping up with "industry" things due to some places I have my hands in. A blog I was told about over a year ago when it was started is Original-Made. It is a couple of guys that sell high end products, Kent from Endless/AME USA, Logan from AspecProducts, and someone else if I remember right. Well there are some truly amazing posts on there about wheel technology among other things. I ran across this article this after and thought it would be good to pass along. Enjoy.

http://og-made.com/archives/1915

Here is what the article says;

N.I.C (Not to be confused with H.N.I.C)


N.I.C is a phrase coined by myself, which stands for “Nah I’m Coo.” This phrase is used to represent disinterest when offered an item or service. The way in which this applies to our industry is with sponsorships. Stick with me, I’ll come full circle and explain how N.I.C can quickly become a part of your vocabulary. Until then, here’s some suggestions for those wanting to get sponsored:

#1) Shellfish is tasty, SELFISH is YOU: The biggest issue I see today with those who seek sponsorship is a bad case of SELFISH poisoning. Too many that seek sponsorships are concerned with how it AFFECTS them, rather than how they can EFFECT positive results for the company. Always think about the best interests of the company, since as a business, they are not sponsoring you for moral support, they want RESULTS.

#2) Front your own money: In the same regard that it takes money to make money, it takes money to get sponsored. If a sponsor has seen that you’ve put in your own money, then it’s a much more convincing argument to ask for help. If you want to open a business, a bank isn’t going to lend you money based on hopes + dreams + promises. But if you’re putting in $50k of your own money, then maybe the bank will be more willing to hear you out and meet you half way.

#2.5) You can’t ask for what you don’t have: If your car is stock, then you shouldn’t be asking for sponsorship. Period. The only case where you can, is when you have…

#3) Track records like Jackie Joyner Kersee: It doesn’t matter what shows you PLAN to attend, what modifications you PLAN to make, or what horsepower you PLAN to make. What you’ve actually ACCOMPLISHED in the past is a much better indicator of what you can do, so if you’ve got no track record, you have no grounds to make promises you might not keep.

#4) “There’s no such thing as a free lunch”: I remember learning this in money management class in middle school, which essentially means that you can’t get something for nothing. This should be tattoed to your fo’ head if you are thinking of getting sponsored. Since don’t for a second think that the free set of ______ (whatever you got) came with no price tag. So make sure you cover that price on the tag, ya dig?

#5) Hustler is not only a wonderful magazine: It can also be used to describe the nature in which you need to act after being sponsored. If you promised to do a bunch of race events, or appear in show competitions, or magazine shoots, DO NOT under any circumstances not fulfill those duties. In addition, try to go above and beyond, don’t just do the bare minimum. The more exposure you generate for a company can never hurt, except when:

#6) You confuse EXPOSURE for GETTING RESULTS: Just because you put something sponsored on your car, and run all kinds of stickers doesn’t mean diddly doo. Is that going to generate more sales for that company? Who is going to see it? Is the event going to get coverage? If people see it, will they even take notice, or be influenced to want to find out more or make a purchase?

#7) Mo Money, Mo Problems: Just for example, say that a company gives you a free set of wheels. How many wheels do you think they need to sell to pay for the cost of your sponsored set? Don’t get it twisted though, it’s not about the amount either. Even if the part is something small like a shift ****, you should still give your best effort, regardless of value of the item.

# This industry is TINY: I’m talking about aftermarket automotive specifically. Manufacturers and shops don’t have oodles of money to spend giving out to sponsorships, simply because that money goes into RUNNING THE BUSINESS. This industry isn’t filled with high profit margins, and this shouldn’t come as a surprise. All you lowballers (who also have Selfish Poisoning) make it worse, by trying to squeeze every last dime of profit from shops, just so that your wallet stays fatter. I like getting a good deal as much as the next guy, but you gotta remember that as a consumer you get what you put in.

#9) Ali G Says: RE-SPEK. At the end of the day, it’s all about respect. You don’t want to be the “dude who we sponsored and wasted our marketing budget.” You want people to hold you in high regards, and speak highly of you and your capabilities. It doesn’t matter how much $$$ you’ve got into your car, how fast it goes, or how rare the parts are. If people don’t like or respect you, then you’ve got nothing. (Did that sound too Toretto-like?)

#10) Privateers owe nothing: The best part about paying for everything on your car yourself is that the only person you need to report to is: YOURSELF. So sometimes it’s better to just do it on your own dime.

But what do I know? Beats me (hope you brought salt grains). All I know is the value of making it worth someone’s time. If it’s not going to be worth the sponsor’s time, then I would rather not accept it. I gotta sleep at night, and having a clear mind is much more valuable to me than a free set of ______.

So when someone offers you free parts, and you know you can’t come through on your end of the bargain…what do you say?

NAH
I’M
COO.

 

EXACTLY! "Well said" to the author!

 

Yep.

 

Nah, I'm coo.

 

That is axactly why I am broke.lol

I know I bring nothing to the table.

But I built the table on my own dime.

Cynce has the hookin the sponsers up thing locked down. She is promoting her sponsers all of the time.

 

x2!

 

x3