Unlocking Sponsorship Success Through Alissa Burson's Proven Strategies

Sponsorship. Relationship. These two go hand in hand when approaching the idea of getting sponsored.

Alissa Burson has spent nearly a decade building relationships and learning the industry around sponsorships with many different companies. When she first started down this path, she was a new mom and very limited on her chances to go get to make runs.

Her original companies and relationships go with Med-Vet Pharmaceuticals, Draw it Out, and 5-Star Equine Products. They took notice at her initiative to ensure that both parties were happy and nothing was one sided.

From the beginning Burson set out interviewing users of all the products that she was using (i.e. 5-Star Equine Products). There was so much to learn from so many people, as well as sponsored riders at the time.

How to get sponsorships is THE most asked question Alissa receives daily. Referrals are something that are not mentioned as much as they should be. At the beginning, this is the most part of any partnership.

Unless a company reaches out to you on social media first, do not contact them there. It is important to have a put together package of what you can do for them. Obtaining a sponsor is a job interview.

"Provide evidence of your loyalty to the brand and history of the use of their products," Burson says.

Whether we like it or not, we are constantly making impressions and building relationships. When you are going to jackpots, rodeos, the vet, a feed store, etc. you are networking. You are building relationships with people throughout the industry and those relationships (and the amount of people you come into contact with) are what companies are looking for. Word of mouth and social media presence are changing the ways that companies can get their products out there. It is not just about wearing a patch these days.