Sponsorship Trap

How to Set a Sponsor Trap

A way to snare that valuable and elusive prey, a good sponsor.

1. Be smart. Start your sponsor hunt by searching in the sponsor's natural habitat. Sponsors do not normally hang out on the corner or in a bar. They are rarely found chillin' with the bro's in the park or getting their nails airbrushed at the salon. Baseball games or the beach is not normally where a sponsor is to be found. Your good sponsors are generally to be found at NicA meetings. Beginner meetings and step meetings are particularly good places for you to set your sponsor trap.

2. Keep your ears open. A good sponsor will often identify him or herself by saying intelligent, insightful things that make sense to you. If this should happen, mentally tag the person as potential sponsor material.

3. Track your prey. Check him or her out at a few NicA meetings to make sure your potential sponsor didn't just get lucky and make sense that one time. You need a sponsor who is happy and upbeat, who has something that you want.

4. Be forward. Once you have identified a potential sponsor who has what you want, go for it. The potential sponsor should be approached even if he or she has not indicated in any way that he or she is interested in sponsoring anyone. Some of the best ones play very hard to get.

5. Butter them up. Approach the prospect and let him or her know that you respect them, like what you have heard them say and really, really would like them to be your sponsor. It is hard to overdo the buttering-up part. Sponsors really like it and often start to purr like kittens. Once they say anything that remotely sounds like a “maybe,” let alone a definite “yes,” then say “Oh, thank you very much,” and ask for their phone number. You have caught yourself a sponsor.

Originally posted online in “Unofficial-Nicanon” group April, 2004.