| As a regular player you are well versed with the costs | | | | introduce yourself and your team. Be sure to go in |
| associated by practicing paintball several times a | | | | regularly (weekly is great!) and purchase items (don't |
| month. However, by following just a few simple steps | | | | ask for a discount just yet). Before you check out, |
| and putting forth a bit of effort, you can easy lower | | | | remind them who you are and ask for a few extra |
| your costs and put you and your team several steps | | | | business cards and stickers so you can pass them out |
| closer to playing free paintball. | | | | during practice at the local field. Tip: Tell your friends to |
| Step 1 is creating a team website. Through your | | | | go into the store and purchase an item or two and |
| website you can feature your teams story and | | | | prior to checking out, have them mention that your |
| schedule, photos from practices, share pieces of | | | | team sent them in. |
| paintball news and events you compete in and even | | | | Step 4 is presenting your team. After several weeks |
| recommend your favorite products. A team website | | | | of working this relationship, the time will come to |
| will be an important pillar in your quest to establish | | | | present your team resume, review the last several |
| credibility and it provides a great place for both your | | | | weeks and the efforts you have put forth to promote |
| sponsors and your fellow community to learn more | | | | their company and finally inquire as to what levels of |
| about your team at very little cost to you. | | | | sponsorship are available. Rather than demanding free |
| Step 2 is creating a team resume. Your sponsors will | | | | paintball from the get go, start small and ask for a |
| want to know more about you and your team than | | | | team discount on items and paint purchased through |
| your short (verbal) introduction will provide. I | | | | the store. After several months and or a season of a |
| recommend adding in several sections including a team | | | | great relationship, you should again repeat step 3 and |
| history, your event schedule, player biographies (ages, | | | | 4, meet with the owners and ask to increase your |
| past teams, gear, and a photo) your telephone number | | | | teams level of sponsorship. |
| as well as website and last but not least, outlining what | | | | Last but not least, make sure that you enjoy paintball, |
| you have and what you intend to do to promote your | | | | set goals and don't lose sight of what your aiming for. |
| sponsors. By handing the business owner or your | | | | Remember, practice makes perfect and in the event |
| representative a nice clean copy of your teams | | | | you are turned down, don't give up, instead keep trying |
| resume, you will definitely set yourselves you apart | | | | until you get what you are looking for. By crafting and |
| from everyone else that comes in asking for support. | | | | maintaining relationships with your local stores and |
| Step 3 is networking. This is crucial in your quest to | | | | businesses your team will be better positioned to |
| become a credible, well known organization that is | | | | creating a sustainable and largely successful paintball |
| known to work hard to promote and support your | | | | team. |
| sponsors. Go in to your prospective sponsors and | | | | |