tknapp
12 posts
Jun 09, 2015
4:02 PM
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For those of you who are sponsored by a harp manufacturer, how did that come about?
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Ian
29 posts
Jun 09, 2015
4:12 PM
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I'm not sponsored by a harp manufacturer but I am sponsored in another line of work. Basically I wrote an email to all the big brands that I liked, told them why I'd be a good representative for their brand, with good reasons like press coverage, public exposure and other reasons why by choosing me they would sell more stuff etc... And a couple of weeks later I was choosing between two major brands. I now get sent all the equipment I need in return for basically being a walking advertisement.
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GMaj7
701 posts
Jun 09, 2015
4:18 PM
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The sponsor deals are becoming less lucrative for the artist and even less for the manufacturers. There is such a low margin on harmonicas that providing harps to a player is a losing venture from the start.
There are several well known endorsers on the Hohner side who will likely stay in that capacity such as Kudz, Howard Levy, Mickey Raphael.. and some others, but with Youtube and other social media filled with fantastic players putting stuff out there for free, just isn't much a player can do to profitably promote an instrument that nets 10% profit and costs $50.
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Greg Jones
16:23 Custom Harmonicas
greg@1623customharmonicas.com
1623customharmonicas.com
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Moon Cat
522 posts
Jun 09, 2015
6:09 PM
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I went to Hohner initially and "applied" I was accepted. What they are looking for the most is visibility. Youtube of course is a means to visibility but what they really want are dates. It's true. I was with Hohner for 8 years, then helped start Harrison with Brad and have now been with Suzuki for 5 years. They like tour dates and constant activity out of you. They were worried when I wasn't touring even though I was making more videos (which I thought most likely sold more harps). Send them a Calendar THEN your record if you want their attention…Visibilty at high profile industry events, conventions such as SPAH, NAMM and others helps a ton but in the end be working.
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www.mooncat.org
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HarpNinja
4096 posts
Jun 10, 2015
7:19 AM
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Sponsored is the wrong word. I have a couple of endorsements. The Hohner one wasn't something I actively pursued. I had met their AR guy at SPAH and he liked my playing and wanted to use my pic for promo purposes, so they offered it.
So mine wasn't about dates. It was online reputation, the fact I customized harps, and playing style...so I am told. I also work a lot with kids, which helps sell harmonicas too.
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
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