To ask for an introduction to a potential sponsor, name one relevant company, explain why you would like to speak with it and give your contact a short paragraph they can forward. Ask whether they feel comfortable making the connection. Let them check with the other person first, and make declining easy.
A teammate, coach or former colleague may know someone at a business you genuinely admire. That connection is a reason to ask thoughtfully, not permission to treat their address book as your prospect list. For a jiu jitsu athlete building a professional presence, the first task is to explain the possible fit without making your contact responsible for securing a deal.
Choose a specific connection
The KNVB's sponsorship guidance for clubs suggests asking people within the club to make contacts through their networks. That advice concerns football clubs. Our approach below adapts the idea to an individual athlete, with a clear request and room for both people to decide.
Start with one company and one reason it could fit your work. Perhaps you use its products, know its local activities or have an audience relevant to a project it has publicly described. Check the details instead of assuming that a business sponsors athletes because someone you know works there. Our sponsor research guide helps separate facts from questions.
Then consider the relationship. Does your contact actually know the relevant person, or have you only seen a shared employer on their profile? Ask without overstating what they can do. A person who can identify the right department may be able to help even if they cannot make an introduction.
Ask for a connection, not an endorsement
Keep your first message personal and brief. Explain what you are exploring, why this business is relevant and what help you are asking for. Avoid requesting a private phone number or adding someone to an email thread before they have agreed to take part.
Hi [name], I am exploring whether [company] might be interested in [specific collaboration idea]. I thought of them because [verified reason]. Do you know someone there who handles this kind of conversation, and would you feel comfortable checking whether an introduction would be welcome? No problem if it is not a fit. I can send a short paragraph you could forward.
This is an original template to adapt, not a script to send unchanged to everyone you know. You are asking someone to consider a connection. You are not asking them to recommend work they have never seen or promise that you will deliver particular results.
Prepare a paragraph that can travel without you
If your contact is willing, send a compact introduction that still makes sense when forwarded on its own. Include your name, what you do, the relevant connection to the business and a modest next step. Link to one current biography or media kit rather than a folder of attachments.
[Name] is a jiu jitsu athlete based in [place]. They are exploring [specific idea] with [company] because [relevant, supportable reason]. They would welcome a short conversation to find out whether this fits the team's interests. Their background and examples are here: [link]. They can be reached at [professional contact address].
Check every statement. Do not add impressive-looking audience numbers without context, claim an existing partnership or describe the person forwarding the note as your manager. Use information you are comfortable having shared with the intended recipient.
Take responsibility after the introduction
When both people agree and the connection is made, thank your contact and address the recipient directly. Restate the purpose briefly and respond to any question they raise. Use the first sponsor call guide if a conversation is arranged.
Keep the introducer informed with a short acknowledgement, but do not copy them into every negotiation unless they want to remain involved. If the business declines, accept the decision without asking your contact to apply pressure. If nothing happens, agree with your contact whether any next step is appropriate rather than repeatedly asking them to chase.
Our take: make the introduction easy to consider
A good request leaves everyone clear about what is being asked. Protect the relationship that made the possible connection available.
- Research one business. Write a specific reason for the fit that you can support.
- Ask one person privately. Give them room to decline or suggest another route.
- Prepare a forwardable paragraph. Explain the idea and link to current background.
- Own the next conversation. Thank the introducer and handle the response yourself.