Why would a company want to sponsor an artist?

First of all, they want to get in front of your audience, which is the people they’re trying to reach. Let’s say you are booked to perform at an event, but they can’t pay you. A company may want to get their name in front of that audience and would pay to sponsor you at the event. Their brand name would be mentioned before the event, listed on the event website, displayed prominently throughout the event and listed in the program. On top of that, there are many other ways you can help the sponsor get their brand name out there. This enhances their image, creates positive PR, drives sales, and differentiates their brand in the marketplace.

How much do I charge them?

It depends on how much value you are able to bring to the company. If you have 10,000 Twitter followers and Facebook fans, along with a large email list, you will bring more value than someone who is just starting out. The trick is to bring as much value as possible to their brand name. We work with you to help you build your value and increase your “cred”. If you are booked to perform in front of a large audience that they are interested in, that is valuable to them.

Who are the sponsors?

A sponsor could be a large corporation , a small business owner, a family trust, or a non-profit. Anyone whose message aligns with your audience.

Can we get their email?

We build our reputation with sponsors by not giving out their name or email. This lets them browse the site for artists without the pressure of having hundreds or thousands of people contacting them. If they are interested, they can contact you through your profile listing. Make your profile listing enticing to them and they will respond.

Am I stuck in a contract?

Nope. It’s strictly month to month. You can cancel at any time and receive your money back for 1 month of service.

What if I book a free  job and they won’t let me get my own sponsor?

I haven’t run into that yet. Most people are thrilled if you can get your own sponsor. It’s less work for them and they know they will be getting a talented artist. But if they still won’t do it, it’s up to you to take it for free or turn it down.

What if I book a free job and I can’t find a sponsor?

There’s always a chance you won’t find a sponsor. We bring the sponsors to you and promote you as much as we can, but it’s still a possibility you won’t find the right one for your particular event. Again, it’s up to you whether you want to do it for free or not. If you’re not getting any response to your opportunity, let us know and we’ll help you improve it or brainstorm other ways to find the right sponsor.

What if I can’t get a free gig?

That’s when you start creating your own events. The whole purpose of sponsorship is to make a living as an artist, whether anyone hires you or not. No matter what type of artist you are, there is a sponsor out there for everyone, especially a small business. A large corporation may not want to take a chance on an artist who is “edgy” or in a niche, but there are plenty of small businesses who would.

Do you negotiate with the sponsors?

No, we stay out of the negotiations. We don’t tell you how to run your business or set your fees. The only time we negotiate is on paid jobs, where we take a 10% commission.