How can I prove my value to a potential sponsor before getting a deal?

The most powerful approach is to already be using the product as a paying customer before approaching the brand. Every successful Optima partnership started with the person already being a loyal customer. Additionally, if a brand offers an affiliate program (like Boxo's), sign up and start generating sales - brands track this data and will proactively reach out to top performers. Robert mentioned that sometimes unknown people who signed up for the affiliate program outperformed athletes who claimed they'd generate huge sales. Having a documented track record of supporting the brand over time makes future sponsorship conversations much easier.