What is the difference between a sponsorship deck and a proposal, and when should each be used?

Answered in: 2023 Motorsports Sponsorship Summit at Mechanix Wear

The Answer

A deck is eye-catching marketing material used to attract initial attention and start a conversation with potential sponsors - it can be a postcard, video, website link, PDF, or pamphlet with lots of imagery showing what a brand could get involved with. You send decks when first meeting someone to 'fish' for interest. A proposal is a detailed Word document created AFTER you've established a relationship and learned what the sponsor needs. It lists specifically what you will deliver and what you expect in return. Never send a proposal to someone you just met - you don't propose to someone on a first date. The proposal becomes part of your contract and what sponsors will hold you accountable to.

Want the complete breakdown?

Get full access to 2023 Motorsports Sponsorship Summit at Mechanix Wear

2023 Motorsports Sponsorship Summit at Mechanix Wear
Video Course

2023 Motorsports Sponsorship Summit at Mechanix Wear

Recorded live January 7, 2023 — six sessions in three hours: 1. Why Brands Sponsor & How They Calculate ROI — Alex Striler with Ben Dolan (VP of Marketing, VP Racing Fuels), David Cardey (Sales Manager, Eibach Springs), Jackie Donahue (Group Marketing Manager, NGK Spark Plugs), and Jesse Spungin (President, Mechanix Wear). 2. Promoting Yourself & Sponsors Thru the Media — Tony Yorkman (Marketing Director, Team RTR), Megan Meyer (NHRA champion and founder of Driven By Social Academy), Dan Schechner (Editor, PRI Magazine), Don O'Neal (Racers in Rental Cars podcast), and champion drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. 3. Activating at Events to Increase Brand Value — Alex Striler with Kevin Miller (CEO, USAC), Matt Martelli (CEO, Mad Media and the Mint 400), and Dan Dennehy-Rodriguez (SCCA). 4. Creating Decks That Attract & Writing Proposals That Sell — Alex Striler, Tony Yorkman, and Megan Meyer. 5. Finding Tire and Wheel Sponsors — Tony Yorkman with Chris Meyer (Senior Marketing Specialist, Maxxis), Brian Henderson (Wheel Pros), and Michael Mathis (CEO, Atturo Tires). 6. Networking and Meeting New Sponsors — Alex Striler with Kathryn Reinhardt (SEMA board member), Travis Clarke (SVP, Wasserman), and David Morton (Fifth Third Bank).

$10.00one-time

Ready to master sponsorships?

Get instant access to 2023 Motorsports Sponsorship Summit at Mechanix Wear and start implementing these strategies today.