Does anyone here know how to get (or have experience in getting) sponsors for a custom case project? I'm about to start a custom acrylic case project and it would be nice to get some sponsors so that I can also get some new hardware in the mix as well. I'd really like to be able to go with an 8800 series GFX card and a C2D or C2Q setup as well.
The key is producing great quality work. Its extremely hard to get a company to give you stuff without previous projects and a GTX and C2D/Q is pretty ambitious for a first timer. Start small, get a good amount of work done, send out a few emails. Also, do you want the hardware just to get free stuff or do you really actually need it?
I would say start the case (forget the PC parts) then make a portfolio of your work. Send it to modding/PC part suppliers and hope for the best you can't expect them to send you parts without a case to see
I'm in agreement. If I was a possible sponsor, I'd want to see a portfolio of your previous work and previous projects. I'd also want to see a conceptual layout or plans for the project, and a timeline in which you expect to finish the project. Companies exist to make money and invest money into making more money, so I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted to take posession of your creation from time to time for promotional display at large lan party events and trade shows.
Moondog says it all. I'm currently sponsored by Cooler Master, Corsair and others, but that didn't just happen without working hard for it. Before any company agreed to sponsor me I had to have a project which was at least halfway done. The bigger (read: manufacturers) usually only sponsor you if you have done good work in the past and investing time and money to showcase your work at trade shows. CM, Corsair, Sapphire, PQI, I got those by talking to sales people at trade shows such as CeBIT (had a project of mine showcasing at CeBIT twice). Real life contact is always the very best way to approach a potential sponsor. For a first-timer, you'd better not start asking too much. Forget manufacturers, start with webshops. Ask for 50% off the price of an order for example, thats how I started. When sending out emails, write a clear story and make sure you tell them what you will do in return. Last but certainly not least, keep your word and work within a timeline.
Reviving this thread Does anyone have any contacts with hardware manufactures; who might be able to provide some of the necessary components (I already have DangerDen, A.C.Ryan, and Petra's Tech Shop sponsoring the watercooling and case gear). The links to my worklogs for the case in question are below (my worklog here on Bit-tech is also linked in my sig). http://diy-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79331 http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=136785 http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=152684
Read my post above You have a nice project but you'll have to showcase it in order to get the bigger sponsors.
I read your previous post and that's how I got my current sponsors; I gave them a narrative on why I designed the case and links to my worklogs. They replied very promptly and were very generous. I've got the H2O gear and case gear lined up; so all I really need now is the hardware.
hmmmmm i may have to trya and get some watercooling sponsers for my project! as i am going to have 2 watercooling loops in my case!
[rant] no offence to anybody but, what is with computer stuff and everybody wanting sponsors? I have worked at a computershop and amount of people walking in expecting free stuff. Starting a new Counter Strike clan? First stop computershop for free mice. Starting a case mod, hey computerstuff guys give me free stuff. And when you ask for some reference you get that empty stare. [/rant] Sorry, but getting 20 15 year olds a week begging for free stuff kinda gets on your nerves, and they are never the regular customers. My advice: Build a couple (or atleast one) good casemod. Would you give money to someone without seeing what that guy can do?
That's why I'm giving them links to my worklogs. I do see what you mean about people claiming to be doing a mod and really just wanting free gear though.
i have managed to secure one sponsor and am deep in discussions with another possible. i got to them by sending my links to my worklog.
