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GMC Forum _ Todd Simpson _ Getting Endorsement Deals / Etc.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 13 2011, 06:19 PM
Looking for your first Endorsement Deal? I may have it for you. My good pals over a CLAYON GUITAR PICKS (I"m currently endorsed by Clayton and have used them for years) are looking for new blood! Go to this link for more information.
http://www.steveclayton.com/endorsement.php
Posted by: quadrium Jun 13 2011, 06:37 PM
http://www.steveclayton.com/endorsement.php
Wow! Sound great! I need this
But i have a one question to you Todd; What do they mean by "Please upload up to 5 documents (PDF/Word doc) or images (jpg, png) of your marketing materials or press pack below" ? They want to see our equipment?
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 13 2011, 06:42 PM
Hey Todd this looks interesting 
can you tell me some more about these picks? The grip, the thickness? Your experience using them? thank you mate
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jun 13 2011, 09:12 PM
Yes, it would be great to let us know how do you find their picks, are they good?
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 13 2011, 11:07 PM
This sounds great! I would also like to know what about the quality of the picks.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 14 2011, 03:37 PM
But i have a one question to you Todd; What do they mean by "Please upload up to 5 documents (PDF/Word doc) or images (jpg, png) of your marketing materials or press pack below" ? They want to see our equipment?They are asking for examples of "Marketing Materials". You may not have any yet. This is a good chance to make some. If you have a web site, that could serve as one. Or screen captures of your social media in a pinch. I used to a screen capture of my youtube insight page to show my video view count as one of mine. It may be that this is something to work towards rather than jump on right now. But get started thinking about what your 5 documents might be so you can put together a "Press Pack" for future use as well.
this looks interesting can you tell me some more about these picks? The grip, the thickness? Your experience using them? thank you mate They make great picks. The best thing to do is to go grab a few from a music store or online to see if you like them. I use the 1.4 MM and sharpen them. I love the material. The tone is great and very little flex. Once you figure out if the picks are for you, you would need to apply for endorsement and there are many dfifferent levels. It might be just a discount, could be crates of free stuff, just depends on how much exposure you would provide as an endorsee.
IMHO they are some of the best picks around. I"ve been using them for years. Only recently did I become an endorsee. The picks have a bright tone and very little flex. I just love em. P.S. They don't accept everyone who applies for endorsement but even going through the process is helpful in putting one's press pack together and such which is why I thought it might be a good thing to share here for students and instructors alike. Many of the instructors already have experience with this stuff but few of the students do so I thought the process would helpful and insightful.
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 14 2011, 03:55 PM
Thanks Todd! I'll contact them to know how is the deal that they offer. I would like to have Cirse's picks.
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 14 2011, 03:57 PM
Thanks Todd 
I'll go for it as well
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 16 2011, 03:39 AM
I'll go for it as well Great to hear so many folks taking the plunge! Few things beat the charm of ones First Endorsement deal. Free Stuff. Related to Music. It's a killer feeling even if it's just a small item like these picks.
Posted by: Sinisa Cekic Jun 16 2011, 08:58 PM
It seems interesting, thanks for the information Tod
Posted by: quadrium Jun 17 2011, 06:01 PM
I now officially endorsed by CLAYTON PICKS It's my first endormesent Thank you for letting us know Todd!
Dogukan,
Posted by: snackajacks Jun 17 2011, 06:51 PM
It's my first endormesent Thank you for letting us know Todd! Dogukan,
nice, I gave it a shot too
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 18 2011, 01:05 AM
It's my first endormesent Thank you for letting us know Todd! Dogukan,
Many congrats! One's first endorsement is quite a landmark. Endorsement deals are a great way to promote yourself and get some free/reduced cost gear in the process. Also, it's handy to have something to put on your web/social media under the "Endorsed By" section.
You Rawk!
Todd
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 8 2012, 07:03 AM
CLAYTON PICK ENDORSEMENT UP FOR GRABS! New Promo Band Page for existing endorsees.
If you are not yet endorsed by the good folks at CLAYTON PICKS, ( Love their pick, and they were on of my first endorsements) email them and just ask about becoming a "Clayton Artist" they will give you a discount on picks at a minimum. If you are already endorsed, or once you get endorsed, they are starting a BAND PAGE section where your band can get featured. PROMO!
Here is the link and info!
http://www.steveclayton.com/endorsement.php
-----
Get your band featured on Steve Clayton.com!
We are making some changes to our website and will be adding a section for our Endorsed Artists to have their own band pages!
Here's How to add your band:
We will need the following information e-mailed to us at [email protected]. Please use "Artist Band Page" in the subject of the e-mail. We need to receive the required information within 2 weeks of this e-mail.
Information to be e-mailed:
Professional photograph. This can be either a band photo or your individual photo. The photo needs to be at least 13 1/2" by 5 1/2" and 72 dpi.
A detailed list of all Steve Clayton Products you use.
Band Biography.
Videos or sound clips you would like added to the page (you can send the links for these).
Your bands website/social media links.
Quote about our why you like/use our products.
Thank you!
The Endorsement Department
Posted by: Rammikin Jun 20 2012, 06:55 AM
A very minor point that confuses me: the Clayton web page says they endorse the artist, but that doesn't make any sense. I think they meant to say it the other way around: the artist endorses Clayton picks. I would buy their picks because Todd likes Clayton, not because Clayton likes Todd . I think Peavey says it correctly: http://www.peavey.com/support/artistform/
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 20 2012, 08:29 AM
. I think Peavey says it correctly: http://www.peavey.com/support/artistform/Well thanks
But in truth, it's used both ways all the time depending on who's saying it. But I get what you mean! Since I"m "Endorsed By" various vendors, it means they have approved me to represent them in return for some sort of consideration. Usually cheap/free gear. For peavy to say arists "Endorse Them" is very cool of them, as it indicates the Artist is the one making the decision. In the case of top notch pros, this is often the case. E.G. Dave Mustaine can pick any amp vendor he likes. Where as players with less of a claim to fame are usually happy to get an endorsement of any product that they like.
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 20 2012, 08:52 AM
But in truth, it's used both ways all the time depending on who's saying it. But I get what you mean! Since I"m "Endorsed By" various vendors, it means they have approved me to represent them in return for some sort of consideration. Usually cheap/free gear. For peavy to say arists "Endorse Them" is very cool of them, as it indicates the Artist is the one making the decision. In the case of top notch pros, this is often the case. E.G. Dave Mustaine can pick any amp vendor he likes. Where as players with less of a claim to fame are usually happy to get an endorsement of any product that they like.Very well explained Todd!
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 20 2012, 09:07 AM
Thanks
Given all your success, I think PRS is due for a contact email from you! It's time for them to Endorse the COS!Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 20 2012, 09:10 AM
Given all your success, I think PRS is due for a contact email from you! It's time for them to Endorse the COS!There's still work to do in this direction
but I'll get there hopefully! Thanks man!
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 22 2012, 04:41 AM
but I'll get there hopefully! Thanks man!Do you have much contact with the PRS reps in your area? I"m guessing you've sent them free tickets to your shows and such? If not, always a good idea to invide possible endorsers out to see you in your element ripping it up!
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 22 2012, 08:25 AM
Yes, I have a very tight relationship with the official PRS dealer in Romania. The man's son was my best friend in the 5th grade and when he returned in Romania after 15 years, his father became the PRS dealer. I already knew the guy (the dealer) from the various instrument oriented events in Bucharest for a long time, but when we discovered that his son used to be my best buddy when I was a kiddo, things went even nicer. Now, with PRS the idea is not so simple.
Ibanez for instance, has endorsement spots for each country and in September usually, when the endorsement contracts are being arranged, they are asking the dealer for endorsers. With PRS, things are trickier - you have to prove yourself first as being a good promo channel for their instruments at local level - some sort of a national endorser, which is done directly with the dealer and only then, if the dealer thinks you are interesting for the company at that level, he will contact them to talk about offering an international contract.
This is what I know so far and at this point, I am waiting for the dealer's new site to come out, so we can work together on a promo campaign for the SE models. They are offering a 25% discount for any model so, hopefully, this will kick some life into the sales, as PRS is a low seller - big prices and a big lack of exposure on the Romanian market - hell, me and another dude here are the only guys playing PRS guitars in quasi mainstream bands. There are others, but their level of exposure is not interesting for the dealer, as they mainly play in cover bands.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 27 2012, 02:21 AM
Gotcha. Well, if anybody could raise the profile of PRS I think you are it! I hope it works out and they finally figure out you are their guy!
I"m an endorsee of Minarik Guitars as you probably already know and that was much less complex as they are a small boutique vendor. I emailed them a few times as I'd like a Minarik I played in a music shop, then emailed them my youtube channel statistics to give them an idea of my audience reach and they sent me a couple of guitars and asked me to make some videos reviewing them. Pretty straightforward.
These two examples hopefully provide some insight for our fellow GMCers.
HOW TO GET ENDORSEMENT DEALS (Broad Stroke)
1.) Identify a Vendor (some product you like and wish to represent)
2.) The vendor you approach should roughly match the size of audience you can bring to them. E.G. I approached Minarik ( a small boutique shop) not Ibanez as my reach is mostly through the internet, not on an national touring basis (unlike Cosmin, I'm not touring my country with bands, but that would be spiff!)
3.)Be able to show evidence of your audience reach. E.G. Youtube analytics/views & subscribers, Web site analytics/page views, tour statistics, shows/attendance, unit sales/albums & singles, etc.
Your value to any vendor is tied directly to how much exposure you can provide for their product. This is more important to them in many cases than how well you can play. Even if you can out shred Paul Gilbert, if your audience reach is 2 youtube subscribers, you are not likely to get very far on your own in terms of endorsements. So ....
1.)START BUILDING YOUR AUDIENCE!
-Social Media, Blogs, Myspace, anything.
2.)Track your results
-Be able to show a vendor hard proof.
3.)Always be polite and deferential when speaking with a vendor or a rep. Attitude oftens gets the door closed in your face.
4.)Be persistent. Try onece a year for each vendor you think you qualify for. People change jobs, things change, one NO just means "Next time"!
Todd
Ibanez for instance, has endorsement spots for each country and in September usually, when the endorsement contracts are being arranged, they are asking the dealer for endorsers. With PRS, things are trickier - you have to prove yourself first as being a good promo channel for their instruments at local level - some sort of a national endorser, which is done directly with the dealer and only then, if the dealer thinks you are interesting for the company at that level, he will contact them to talk about offering an international contract.
This is what I know so far and at this point, I am waiting for the dealer's new site to come out, so we can work together on a promo campaign for the SE models. They are offering a 25% discount for any model so, hopefully, this will kick some life into the sales, as PRS is a low seller - big prices and a big lack of exposure on the Romanian market - hell, me and another dude here are the only guys playing PRS guitars in quasi mainstream bands. There are others, but their level of exposure is not interesting for the dealer, as they mainly play in cover bands.
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