Should I become pro-staff?

[huntinsonovagun]

I have the opportunity to become a "field expert" for a company in this region of the US, but with the title comes some responsibility. First off, I have to sell or solicit $300 worth of their products at associate pricing, then I have to earn so many points per year to stay on. Earning points consists of working shows, submitting stories, photos, etc...The worst part about all of this is finding time. I'm going to school and working 3 PT jobs right now, but it should slow down quite a bit within the next month.

I talked to my GF about it and she isn't really crazy about the idea because she thinks I will be gone a lot, which I told her I really won't at all. What are some of the other perks of becoming a "pro staff" member? Should I do it?

[MrWiggely]

What do you get out of it besides the title?

[Covehnter]

[ QUOTE ]
What do you get out of it besides the title?

[/ QUOTE ]

That'd be my question.

[PAstringking]

if it were free product then i would deff be interested...

and depends on the product

[woodsman2230]

If I had that opportunity I would make time. Just my opinion. I understand how you feel. You have to decide what is the most impotant to you right now, wether it be school or work, etc and go after that. Best of Luck with your decision.

Chris

[bowhunter56]

of the pro-staffers i know, there is alot of travel, shows going on almost all the time, depending on the product, i believe it definately cut into your personal and working life.

[Rhino]

I know 2 pro-staffers with a camo company. Basically they get free camo and do 1 TV show each year for the company. Their expenses (travel, the hunt, etc.) for doing the show is covered by the company.

Your offer sounds like the cost is on you to buy some of their products and promote their products too. That sure doesn't seem right to me. IMHO, If you're putting in the time to promote their products they should at least cover your cost of promoting them.

Would I do that deal? Nope. That is unless your plan after college is to get a job to work somewhere in the hunting industry. In that case, it would look good on your resume' if you can find an opening.

[okiedog]

Ryan, that is a choice you are going to have to make for yourself. I think alot of time will need to be devoted into pushing the product or buisness. If you don't have the time to devote, then its not fair to your sponser.
As for the perks, I figured you had already talked with them about that, you know what they want from you.

[Mathews XT Man]

Man,... and you dont even get a hat and jacket out of it??...LOL

Going to school,.. 3 part time jobs..GF isnt supporting the idea...id Not think about it right now.. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[carbonhunter]

It dosnt sound like that great of a deal. When I was on RIO's pro-staff they provided me all the free lines i wanted. All i had to do was write some articals, do a show now and then, and take pictures of the fish i or clients caught. The only big thing was that I could only fish Rio products.

[unioncountyslayer]

First and only question, What are the benefits?

[Pinwheel5]

How often does a person get offered a pro-staff position??????? I say go for it. It does not start out great but can lead to awesome opportunities. One of my best friends is pro staff for Quaker Boy and he gets a ton of stuff every year.

[HuntnMa]

[ QUOTE ]
I know 2 pro-staffers with a camo company. Basically they get free camo and do 1 TV show each year for the company. Their expenses (travel, the hunt, etc.) for doing the show is covered by the company.

Your offer sounds like the cost is on you to buy some of their products and promote their products too. That sure doesn't seem right to me. IMHO, If you're putting in the time to promote their products they should at least cover your cost of promoting them.

Would I do that deal? Nope. That is unless your plan after college is to get a job to work somewhere in the hunting industry. In that case, it would look good on your resume' if you can find an opening.

[/ QUOTE ]

i agree

[huntinsonovagun]

I get 2 hats, 2 shirts, 2 decals, and I get to field test and keep 1 product (worth $30-$100). I guess I could try it for a year and quit doing it if I didn't like it. Selling their products seems like a lot, but I wouldn't mind promoting them........still thinking. I like the idea that being pro-staff for one company means another might see that and want me on their pro-staff. Never know what kind of career opportunities could turn up.

[need2hunt]

Can you autograph one of the hats and send it to me! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I'm going to start searching for and printing out all of your posts from RT and Primos so that I can have a complete history. It will be worth millions in a few years when you get your own show. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Seriously Ryan, you've been one of the few people that I kinda got to watch grow-up via the hunting forums. IMO I think that you would make a great prostaffer. If your going to do it take a big cue from Jim Zumbo and realize up front that it will put you under a microscope, maybe on a smaller scale, but the end result is you need to keep your ducks in a row when it comes to any and all hunting laws as well as really consider your opinion based on who all it could affect.

As far as if you should or not, I won't lean you one way or another. If it's a company/product that you beleive in it will help. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Can you let us know who the company is - or pm me. Thanks

G

[LifeNRA]

[ QUOTE ]
Man,... and you dont even get a hat and jacket out of it??...LOL

Going to school,.. 3 part time jobs..GF isnt supporting the idea...id Not think about it right now.. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Plus it sounds like you just might kiss your hunting time good-bye too!

[hogwild63]

You haven't said what the product is, but my questio would be do you believe in the product 100% to be able to "push" the product? If your heart is not completely in the product, then people will know, especially if they are not crazy about the product in the first place.

You have seen the "battles" on these bb's over which product is better than another similar product. No perks will make up for what you will feel when someone bashes your product in public at a show. If you are 100% about the product, then you will be confident. If you have any doubts, they will sense it.

If this experience will help your career in the future (after school), then it may be worth it. If it will not pad your resume for your intended career, then I would find a p/t job in that field. Take advantage of your time now to "pad" your resume with relavent experience.

[MadHuntinPastor]

I'll third what the last couple posts have said in...."don't sell it if you don't believe in it"

Good luck and we wish you the best either way.

[huntinsonovagun]

The company is Ol' Tom.

[deerhntnwithdogs]

I like the try it out Idea. Use your pull and get them to man up and put some real padding in their straps and seats next year in their vests haha. They really do make a good vest. What else do they make though? But yea Id try it for a year like you said.

[Lumpy]

At first I figured Ol Tom was over priced camo, but after getting my set, it is well worth the price!!!!!
That stuff is sweet!!!!
God Bless

[Exturkinator]

I know the company ol Tom - unlike Lumpy, I think, while it is quality stuff, it is far overpriced and I would have trouble trying to sell or promote stuff like that that is overpriced... I must say I do like that line of companies (Ol Tom, Drake, McCalister...) - I know them all second hand - great guys runnin' em...

[Strut10]

[ QUOTE ]
.....with the title comes some responsibility. First off, I have to sell or solicit $300 worth of their products at associate pricing.......

[/ QUOTE ]

That sounds a little suspect to me. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Sounds to me more like they're recruiting sales staff.

[ QUOTE ]
.....then I have to earn so many points per year to stay on. Earning points consists of working shows, submitting stories, photos, etc....

[/ QUOTE ]

This sounds about right. That's on par with most pro-staff agreements.

[ QUOTE ]
I get 2 hats, 2 shirts, 2 decals, and I get to field test and keep 1 product (worth $30-$100).

[/ QUOTE ]
Sounds like you're not getting much return for your investment. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif


I've been pro-staff for a game call company since 1990. We have a fairly loose, gentleman's agreement. I used to do outside sales. But that was for commission. I do shows and conventions as location & time allow. I promote the company anywhere I can. I submit field photos when applicable for the company's promotional good (advertising, etc.). In return, I get pro-staff gear (shirts, hats, jackets), all the game calls I could ever need or use and the opportunity to hunt all over for free or at hugely discounted rates. I also get the chance to meet most all the other folks in the industry.

I guess you need to weigh your expectations/requirements of return against what you must invest and make your own choice based on your personal reasons for wanting to be a staffer.

[maytom]

Use to be on the Therma-cell pro staff, but like you stated, they wanted you to work weekends when the various big name stores (Bass Pro, Gander Mtn.) would be having some special event. Problem was, I work weekends (3), and saturday is my X 1/2 day, Sunday 2X, so I would make much more money at my regular job, rather than do a show. This was the biggest issue for me, and hence had to step down. If you can fit it into your schedule, go for it!!

[Hoyt03]

[ QUOTE ]
In return, I get pro-staff gear (shirts, hats, jackets), all the game calls I could ever need or use


[/ QUOTE ]

You know Strut if ya got too many calls laying around I know a guy who would probaly take them, lol

[deerhntnwithdogs]

I just saw on another site youd be a fellow staffer of Sadler Mcgraw haha

So what are ya thinkin you gonna try it?

[huntinsonovagun]

I doubt it at this point. Too much work for too little reward. I have a lot of ties in the outdoor industry and will wait for something better to come along.

[Hoyt03]

I would prob do the same thing. It's almost as if your working hard for them for free. Something better will pop up.

[hutchies]

For what you get they would be making back on the sales you would have to do alone. Some people want to be a staffer so bad they would buy the product and work for them for free. I think you should hold out.

[pintail711]

id do it, its just whatever what you want tho

[AdvantageTimberLou]

I have an Ol' Tom vest, pricey yes but worth it? Probably! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I say try it out and see what happens, its worth a shot and could be your foot in the door to stardom.....possibly the next Michael Waddell! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif