Entry 280-1

Talking Sponsorship with Todd Witt

Part 1: From a Fisherman to a Pro

Question: Todd, how long have you fished and guided on Pickwick Lake?

Witt: I’ve fished Pickwick all my life and guided there for the past 10 years.

Question: You’re on the regional pro staff for Strike King. What’s the role of a regional pro staffer?

Witt: I work a number of consumer shows and other Strike King shows promoting Strike King products. I’m often asked how Strike King became my sponsor. I applied to be a regional pro-staffer for Strike King just like I’d apply for any other job. To successfully attract a sponsor, you need to compile a resume including your profile and background, exemplifying your strengths in sales and promotions based on past achievements. Too, list your fishing experience, including tournaments won, volunteer work and any other roles you’ve played in the fishing industry.

Don’t overlook your work history. Many jobs you’ve held in the past may relate directly to future responsibilities for Strike King. You mainly want to show Strike King or any company you want as your sponsor your sales experience. In your resume, display how your current job responsibilities relate to the selling of Strike King’s lures. For Strike King to sponsor a pro, the pro must generate enough income for the company to not only pay for his sponsorship, but also make a profit.

Question: Todd, how do you promote Strike King?

Witt: Because I’m a guide and people fish out of my boat using Strike King’s products, they’ll purchase the lures that give them confidence. If you fish with someone using a Strike King Series 3 crankbait and catch numbers of fish on this bait, then you’ll have confidence that if you buy more Strike King Series 3 crankbaits, you’ll catch fish again. As a guide, I teach people how to fish using Strike King’s products and prove to them that they can catch bass using Strike King’s lures. More importantly, I help people become confident using Strike King’s lures. Fishermen buy baits they have confidence will catch fish.

Question: Todd, you also mentioned that you work shows. What do you mean?

Witt: I work small shows, such as in-show promotions, and big shows like Bass Pro Shop or the Bassmaster’s Classic Expo. I’ll stand in the booth telling people how to catch fish using Strike King lures and answer questions about Strike King lures. I towed a 16-foot trailer full of baits 400 miles for Strike King. Before the show, I stocked the shelves with these lures, and when the show began, I talked to customers and fishermen showing them new products and explaining how to rig and where to fish the lures. At some promotions, I’ll stand and cast into a giant fish tank to show the crowd how the lure runs and fishes and the type of action generated by lure.

Next: The Unseen Pro

Contents:

• Part 1: From a Fisherman to a Pro
• Part 2: The Unseen Pro
• Part 3: Me and the Media
• Part 4: From a Press Guy to Fishing Buddy
• Part 5: Steps to Getting a Sponsorship