Okay, so I’ve been trying to figure out this whole sponsorship thing for the FSU vs. Georgia Tech game. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, let me tell you!
First Steps: The Idea
It all started with a simple idea: I wanted to get some visibility for my buddy’s startup. He’s got this cool new app, and I figured, what better way to get the word out than at a huge college football game? I mean, thousands of people, all hyped up, perfect audience, right?
Digging In: Research Time
So, I started digging. First, I had to find out who to even talk to. It’s not like there’s a big “Sponsor Here!” sign flashing anywhere. I started with the FSU athletics website. Lots of scrolling, lots of clicking around, finally found a “Corporate Partnerships” page. Bingo!
But… it was pretty vague. Just general info, no specific contacts or pricing. Time to get creative.
Hitting the Phones (and Emails)
I started calling around. I got transferred, like, five times. Finally, I got someone who seemed to know something. They gave me an email address for someone in the sponsorship department. Progress!
I crafted a super-professional email (or at least I tried). Explained who I was, what my buddy’s company did, and why I thought sponsoring the game would be a great idea. Hit send, and waited…
The Waiting Game (Ugh)
The waiting was the worst part. Days went by. Crickets. I started to think my email got lost in the internet void. Then, just when I was about to give up, I got a reply!
Negotiation Time (and More Waiting)
They were interested! But, of course, it wasn’t as simple as saying “yes.” We had to talk packages, pricing, what kind of exposure we’d get. It was back and forth, back and forth. Lots of emails, a few phone calls. I felt like a real businessman (even though I was just winging it, honestly).
Sticker Shock (and Budget Reality)
Then came the price tag. Whoa. Let’s just say it was a bit more than I expected. I had to go back to my buddy, hat in hand, and explain the situation. We had to adjust our expectations, maybe look at a smaller package.
Finally, a Deal! (Almost)
After some more back and forth. We picked a smaller package, but it’s still going to get the company name out there. It’s not the giant scoreboard ad I originally dreamed of, but it’s something!
I’m glad what i did. I tried to be a good friend and make the deal!
